How to achieve this look?

[CrackedPepper]

I would like to try to finish a mahogany body.  I've read the DIY forum about the troubles filling mahogany but I won't be dissuaded. Can anyone provide any advice on how to achieve the look of the back of this showcase body?  Specifically:

- What kind of filler, if any, do you think they used?
- Is there a stain involved or is this natural with a nitro laquer finish?

Thanks!

 

[DangerousR6]

I used Colortone water based grain filler from Stewmac.Works great on mahogany and korina, but you must be diligent with it. Just when you think you're done, fill it some more, then your clear laquer. And it'll be like glass..
Some people use z poxy to, haven't tried it yet, but it looks to be pretty easy to use.. :dontknow:

 

[CrackedPepper]

Thanks Dangerous One.  Did you use the clear?

 

[Tonar8352]

If this is close enough I first did a couple of wash coats of clear lacquer and then filled it with the McFadden’s Mahogany Paste filler.

 

[bagman67]

QUestion:  Does anyone happen to know whether Warmoth grain-fills the mahogany, ash, etc., or are they using a finish that fills the pores without having to use a separate step (unless you pay for a swanky contrasty finish)?  It seems like the answer should be "no, Ian, they fill the grain as a separate step," but I know that major producers often have access to processes and chemicals that the lay bozo doesn't have the equipment to exploit.

Thoughts?

Bagman

 

[DangerousR6]

Thanks Dangerous One.  Did you use the clear?

I used black filler, cause I wanted to add a bit to the grain...

If this is close enough I first did a couple of wash coast of clear lacquer and then filled it with the McFadden’s Mahogany Paste filler.

That's saaaaamoooooooooooooooooooth....

 

[jackthehack]

Seems pretty obvious that Warmoth is using a black grain filler of some sort on that example, maybe Gregg or Wyliee will tell what product they use, but that might be considered a "trade secret"...  I've used the Colortone water-based black grain filler on Mahogany and while it does work, it is a royal pain in the ass. I would second Tonar's recommendation of the oil-based McFadden product.

 

[swarfrat]

Tonar - I found I had more problem with orange peel in the tummy cut than almost any other place - perhaps because its the hardest to level.

Do you do anything special to level the curves (horns, tummy cut, and edge radius)?

 

[Hbom]

I'm getting ready to do a mahogany tele and am thinking of trying Timbermate Wood Filler
It is new at Stewmac & they are bragging on it pretty hard.
Any body have any experience with it?
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Fillers_and_putties/Timbermate_Wood_Filler.html

 

[bagman67]

I'm getting ready to do a mahogany tele and am thinking of trying Timbermate Wood Filler
It is new at Stewmac & they are bragging on it pretty hard.
Any body have any experience with it?
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Fillers_and_putties/Timbermate_Wood_Filler.html

I filled an ash body with it (that I'm about to strip and start over with - the lacquer sanding sealer stayed gummy for months) and the stuff sets up FAST and HARD.  Upside:  You can do several sessions of filling and sanding back in just a few hours.  But be strenuously advised:  You do NOT want to leave excess built up, because you will sand and sand to get it level.  Thin it with water because straight out of the can, it's pretty stiff.

Bagman

 

[Tonar8352]

Swarfrat
I use this sanding block I picked up at a local Automotive Paint Shop and it works great for belly cuts and horns. I use it (depending on the area) with or without a thin sanding sponge and a piece of 1000 grit wet dry wrapped around it. On edges I will use a worn out sanding sponge to knock off the high spots and then finish sand it with 2000 grit wet/dry before I take it to the polishing arbor.

 

[Hbom]

I filled an ash body with it (that I'm about to strip and start over with - the lacquer sanding sealer stayed gummy for months) and the stuff sets up FAST and HARD.  Upside:  You can do several sessions of filling and sanding back in just a few hours.  But be strenuously advised:  You do NOT want to leave excess built up, because you will sand and sand to get it level.  Thin it with water because straight out of the can, it's pretty stiff.

Bagman

Thank you. Maybe I'll re-think that.

Hbom

 

[bagman67]

I filled an ash body with it (that I'm about to strip and start over with - the lacquer sanding sealer stayed gummy for months) and the stuff sets up FAST and HARD.  Upside:  You can do several sessions of filling and sanding back in just a few hours.  But be strenuously advised:  You do NOT want to leave excess built up, because you will sand and sand to get it level.  Thin it with water because straight out of the can, it's pretty stiff.

Bagman

Thank you. Maybe I'll re-think that.

Hbom

Hey, Hbom -

I actually plan to use the Timbermate on my second attempt at finishing this body, now that I've sussed out its peculiarities.  The gummy-lacquer thing is probably due to my ineptitude in applying that product or, less likely, a bad batch of product, not the grain fill, just in case you thought I was attributing it to the filler.  YMMV, of course.  A lot of folks on here (Tonar included) suggest using an oil-based filler - Tonar suggests Jasco if you can find it, but I think that product is no longer on the market.

Bagman

 

[DangerousR6]

Seems pretty obvious that Warmoth is using a black grain filler of some sort on that example, maybe Gregg or Wyliee will tell what product they use, but that might be considered a "trade secret"...  I've used the Colortone water-based black grain filler on Mahogany and while it does work, it is a royal pain in the ass. I would second Tonar's recommendation of the oil-based McFadden product.

I didn't have any trouble with it, dries fast and hard. Easy to sand, and works with any kind of top finish you can think of. With oil based you are limited to compatibility...

 

[CrackedPepper]

Thanks to everyone for their input.  NB:  not to take anything away from StewMac (as their price on this is fair) but for those of you working with other woods like cherry, Timbermate has a bunch of different fillers on Amazon. 

 

[CrackedPepper]

If this is close enough I first did a couple of wash coats of clear lacquer and then filled it with the McFadden’s Mahogany Paste filler.

Very nice Tonar - is the color in your pic pretty true to what it looks like "live"?