Morris Minor Owners Club

My traveller is doing very well since it's engine bypass op last week, and whilst she's having a few other small repairs i'm taking the opportunity to 'DO THE WOOD.'
On sanding down the very aged varnish/wood effect paint, much rot was found, treated with wet rot treatment + gaps filled with filler. How much rot is too much?? Is the strength of the whole structure compromised with having to pack in (sometimes fairly large gaps) filler??
I'd ideally like the wood to be light rather than a yellowed finish, but with the glaring white patches of filler all over, will i have to stain the patches down to match the wood and then seal with the yacht varnish, or is there a way of keeping the wood light whilst cleverly blending in the filled bits?
Also, am considering doing the wood with a paint finish ie - a whitish gloss.
I can't find any info or picture reference for this - is it not the done thing (and why ) ???
Your replies and advice would be very much appreciated - i'm still quite new and desperate for tips from those who know better!

I recall hearing that the wood is structural on a traveller - that means it's important for the wood to be in good condition otherwise bits of the car will fall off. (I have a 2 door saloon, so I await expert comment)

Trying to match filler and wood is about impossible - I've had a few wooden boats, and the probelm is that wood and varnish "mellow" over time, but filler just stays the same colour. So even if you can match it now, it will show up soon. Similarly, trying to bleach discoloured wood is possible, but looks terrible as a patch.

I know some people recommend teak oil for the wood. Based on boat experience I would use a good quality yacht varnish (NOT Polyurathane - it doesn't let the wood breathe - so any damp in the wood causes the varnish to blister off).

As a suggetion I would consider using the "WEST" system - it's a 2 part epoxy resin which you use before the varnish, and it will seal the wood, join all the bits together (permanently), space fill (with the glass beads/wool) - ask your local yacht chandler.

I've used it for the wood panels in the bathrooms, and there's absolutely no sign of damp getting into the wood at all.
I think you have to remove the wood from the car or you'll need an angle grinder to get it off!

Good Luck,
Colin