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I am curious about the filler/stain Martin uses on its necks. Here’s a screen shot of a Martin plant video, showing the application of fairly dark substance that I assume is a combination stain and pore filler. But I also found a picture of a 45 conversion from the Martin Custom Shop that shows a rust colored mixture. Anyone have any definitive information on this. The look I am trying to duplicate on my mahogany neck is the standard “Martin look”. Thanks

what they are applying is filler the particular stain martin uses is a commercial product called Maple 55
I find that minwax special walnut followed by minwax dark walnut does a good job.

The filler is applied allowed to flash then it is rubbed in to the pores with a buffer the filler they use is a mineral based product.

I use Minwax all the time on my other woodworking projects and actually have some of the special walnut. Thanks for the good info!

John,

Is the filler also darker? I would also like to mimic my neck on my HD28. The pores are almost a black. The neck color is close to, or compliments the IRW which I assume has no color just the finish.

Thank you, Tracy

you will see the stain penetrates the pores and you will see the dark freckles . Martins uses a color in the filler they use a commercial stain maple #5 I find dark walnut in the filler works well
also Jeff Jewits colors sold through LMI transtint and stew mack color tone

So, stain. Seal coat. Pore fill. Level sand. Then start finish?

stain first
seal
fill
seal
finish

Thank you for the reply John

Is it,
stain first - special walnut, dry, followed with dark walnut
seal
fill mixed with dark walnut
seal
finish

or,
stain first - special walnut
seal
fill mixed with dark walnut
seal
finish

Thank you again - Tracy

yup
some mahogany will stain lighter so if you sand too fine or need to darken you can use dark walnut on top of the special walnut allow about 15 min before you do that.

Build process is fun. Parts is parts

The finish though, that's a whole 'nother animal. That scares me to death... :-)

Thank you again.