Dark translucent finish.

[gouzos]

I have an alder body that I want to finish in a dark translucent lacquer.
Is the following sequence correct?

Sanding
Filler (optional with alder)
Sanding
Some sort of sealer (a thin coat of lacquer or shellac?)
Dark dye
Lacquer

You seal before the dye so it doesn't soak in the end grain right?
Or do you seal before the filler also? (I heard something about the filler soaking up more dye than the wood so you should seal after it.)

 

[jackthehack]

You don't need to grain fill alder..

1.) Dye
2.) Sand back any raised grain after dye dries completely
3.) Seal - you can use sanding sealer/shellac/thin reduced lacquer coat
4.) Sand back your sealer coat(s) to #400
5.) Apply lacquer top finish