Grain Sealing

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Kbore
Posts: 299
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2017 3:58 pm
Location: St. Louis area

Grain Sealing

Post by Kbore »

So I'm planning a nitro rattle can finish over horribly grainy rosewood ( Sitka top). I've hit the books and manufacturers with still little answers to a few questions. Plan A is to use oil based grain filler with deep dark dye tint over a sealer:

Can I grain fill before I glue the b/w herring bone wooden purflings?
How do I keep the sealer off the hearing bone- mask it?
Do you grain fill a Sitka top ( nitro finish)?
Can I use my water based dyes I already have in or under an oil based grain filler?
So many opportunities to screw this up, even if I stay with same "system". Inquiries to grain filler dealers are all unanswered.

Maybe I over think this?
Measure Twice,

Karl B
Danl8
Posts: 733
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2014 7:50 am
Location: Chadds Ford, PA

Re: Grain Sealing

Post by Danl8 »

I can only answer two -- no grain fill on spruce, but I do seal with shellac, then use the vinyl stuff then the lacquer. I do seal all of my purfling with shellac, including herringbone, if it's there. I'm still learning how to do pore filling -- very challenging.

BTW, my rattle can finishes are coming along, they might even look ok eventually.
Diane Kauffmds
Posts: 3246
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 8:13 pm

Re: Grain Sealing

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

I use 1/2# cut of shellac (1 ounce per 1/2 cup alcohol), to put a spit coat on my spruce tops and purflings. This will protect the top and purflings from dirt and sanding spooge.

I've only used Aqua Coat for pore filling. Rosewood will take several sessions, no matter what you use. I just got done with a BRW build and pore filling that stuff would have tried Job himself! It's worth it in the end though.

I've been French polishing using nitrocellulose out of a quart can. Believe it or not, it's possible. I have to wear gloves and a respirator, with a lot of ventilation. I'm experimenting with it since the vintage guitars that I repair have original finishes.
Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
countryroadsguitars@gmail.com
tippie53
Posts: 7011
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
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Re: Grain Sealing

Post by tippie53 »

I am a pore o Paq filler guy
A stain if you choose
B seal I use vinyl sealer
C fill
Here is where it gets fun. I use a natural color filler and color the filler using minwax stain. You may use dyes or stains. The key is to get the color and consistency you want. Then If it is mineral spirit base I use naphtha to help flash. I mix a few tablespoons at a time. Adding a few drops helps speed the flash time. then I work a back then each side but not all at the same time. As it starts to flash off I then rub the filler into the pores. I do this 2 times.
then I use a light sanding or 0000 steel wool to buff off then vinyl seal again.
D now I spray 1 coat every hr or so for about 8 to 10 coats.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Kbore
Posts: 299
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2017 3:58 pm
Location: St. Louis area

Re: Grain Sealing

Post by Kbore »

Thanks ,John. What do you use after it flashes off to rub the filler into the grain? Squeegee, burlap, blue jeans?
Measure Twice,

Karl B
tippie53
Posts: 7011
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
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Re: Grain Sealing

Post by tippie53 »

burlap or denim
You can also use a wool bonnet on a buffer to work it in.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
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