I've sort of mentioned this in another thread, but I've run into another question that I thought deserved a new thread.
I'm finishing a swamp ash body, using StewMac clear water-based grain filler, Minwax Wood Finish oil-based stain, and pure tung oil. What's the proper order for the stain and grain filler? Am I headed in the wrong direction by trying to use a combination of water- and oil-based products, and if so, should I switch to an oil-based grain filler or a water-based stain?
From some tests on scraps of oak, I get a much richer color by staining first, but I'm worried about getting an even color, especially in the end grain of the swamp ash. The water-based grain filler seems to do just fine on top of the stain. On scraps where I applied grain filler first, the stain doesn't penetrate well, and doesn't do much to alter the color. Should I try using something like the Minwax pre-stain treatment (for oil-based stains) before the stain/grain filler/tung oil?
One more catch in the process: at this point I'm not starting with a fresh, raw body. I had already grain-filled/tung-oiled the body before deciding to start over and use stain. I'll do my best to sand the oil/grain filler completely away, but judging by my tests with oak scraps, it's hard to tell when the clear grain filler is 100% gone.
I'm already scrapping a lot of work that I've already put into this, so I really want to get it right this time -- especially since (I think) it would be extremely difficult to start over once there is stain involved. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!
I'm finishing a swamp ash body, using StewMac clear water-based grain filler, Minwax Wood Finish oil-based stain, and pure tung oil. What's the proper order for the stain and grain filler? Am I headed in the wrong direction by trying to use a combination of water- and oil-based products, and if so, should I switch to an oil-based grain filler or a water-based stain?
From some tests on scraps of oak, I get a much richer color by staining first, but I'm worried about getting an even color, especially in the end grain of the swamp ash. The water-based grain filler seems to do just fine on top of the stain. On scraps where I applied grain filler first, the stain doesn't penetrate well, and doesn't do much to alter the color. Should I try using something like the Minwax pre-stain treatment (for oil-based stains) before the stain/grain filler/tung oil?
One more catch in the process: at this point I'm not starting with a fresh, raw body. I had already grain-filled/tung-oiled the body before deciding to start over and use stain. I'll do my best to sand the oil/grain filler completely away, but judging by my tests with oak scraps, it's hard to tell when the clear grain filler is 100% gone.
I'm already scrapping a lot of work that I've already put into this, so I really want to get it right this time -- especially since (I think) it would be extremely difficult to start over once there is stain involved. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!