A Big Howdy from Tenn' and Welcome!You'll like it here.a lot of friendly folk.ready willing and able to help you.So pull a chair and make yourself comfy.
Well I don't know if this will help,but after I sand my cuttings down some.I spray a coat of clearcoat on them,After staing them of course.Unless the customer wants the brush on clearcoat.Hope this helps in some way.
I have run into the same problem.I have managed to finish the project.then fill the gap with putty.Luckly it's thin wood not much to fill.Lesson learned.