Puttying your leaded panel is a very important process which needs to be done really well in order to make the piece completely waterproof. Having puttied and removed all of the excess, whiting is very lightly dusted over the panel and brushed in thoroughly to remove the putty residue and surface oil from the lead and glass. Whiting also helps to dry the edges of the putty to prevent it from seeping out, and also, brushed with some vigour, will darken the leads and solder joins.