What should I use to grain fill White Korina for a natural finish?

[CatManDude]

I'm about start work on a White Korina Strat with a flame Maple top and I want to do the White Korina body and neck in a natural finish. I just finished a natural Korina body and I never had so much trouble filling a grain, It seemed I would never finish sanding. Has anyone got an answer to the question of what is the best clear grain filler to use on this heavenly sounding but torturous piece of wood?

 

[Cagey]

Limba (Korina), Ash and Mahogany (among others) are particularly bitchy woods to finish due to their open grain. My previous favorite neutral grain filler doesn't seem to be available any more, but something I've seen more recently is very promising. I haven't used it yet, but it sounds like just the thing. It's called "Crystalac". You can read about it here and see if you want to take the plunge. I have a quart of it here left over from another project where it didn't get used that's waiting on a target. If everything they say is true, it's gonna be a joy to use.

 

[Cagey]

I should mention that I've gone through several different types/brands of neutral filler, and the best of them still required multiple applications when dealing with wide open grains like you'll find on Limba, Ash or Mahogany. It's like trying to fill in the Grand Canyon. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is don't expect miracles out of anything. If it were thick enough to fill in one or two passes, it would be too thick to fill in the finer grain.

Good finishes are a pain in the shorts - no way around it.