10-01-2013, 08:32 PM
Ok, it sounds like you've messed up a little bit here... Wood filler and grain filler are two totally different things, and they are used in two different procedures. Not used together. They are as different as night and day..
Wood filler (Timbermate) - only use this to fill in cracks, small holes, or edge cracks around veneer repairs. Do not spread it over the entire piece.
Grain filler - do not use this to repair wood. It is only used to fill in the grain. The object is to get a smooth, piano like surface. It is spread over the entire surface you want to grain fill.
First, use the wood filler on repairs, allow it to dry completely, then sand it smooth with fine sandpaper. Sand with the grain. You want it to be exactly level with the surrounding wood.
After you finish that, spread your grain filler across the entire surface, about 1/8 inch thick. Try to work it into the grain as you spread it. Allow it to set up a little bit (maybe 10 minutes), then very lightly, very very lightly, use a scaper to remove the excess. You want to leave an extremely thin film of wet grain filler on the surface. In some places there won't even be a film. It doesn't matter - the idea is to not scrape any of it out of the grain. Just get the excess grain filler off and put it back in the can. Now, allow it to dry until it starts to look a little chalky (maybe 20 minutes) (Do not allow it to completely dry!) , then take a rough cloth (burlap works best) and rub the rest of the excess off. Rub against the grain or in a circular motion. When the burlap gets clogged up, fold it over and continue. Pretty soon, you'll have a smooth piece of wood with the only grain filler remaining in the grain. Your wood will look clean. Do not sand. At no point do you use sandpaper on grain filler. Allow it to dry overnight and you are ready to start finishing.
Sometimes if wood has very open pores of grain, it will take two or even three coats of grain filler to get it completely smooth. Some radios need a little grain showing to "look right". Cheaper sets did not have a piano finish when new and they look kind of fake if too much grain filler is used. They end up looking like plastic wood instead of wood.. does that make sense? You just have to use your own judgement on when to stop grain filling.
On the radio featured in this thread, I did not desire a piano finish. That GE was a cheap set when new. However, over the years, the grain had opened up too much, leaving a very rough wood surface. Even with three coats of filler, it wasn't piano smooth.... and I didn't want it to be... I wanted some grain to show. Now, on my Philco Bullet radio, I wanted a piano finish. It's a personal choice you will learn to make once you get the hang of this.
Wood filler (Timbermate) - only use this to fill in cracks, small holes, or edge cracks around veneer repairs. Do not spread it over the entire piece.
Grain filler - do not use this to repair wood. It is only used to fill in the grain. The object is to get a smooth, piano like surface. It is spread over the entire surface you want to grain fill.
First, use the wood filler on repairs, allow it to dry completely, then sand it smooth with fine sandpaper. Sand with the grain. You want it to be exactly level with the surrounding wood.
After you finish that, spread your grain filler across the entire surface, about 1/8 inch thick. Try to work it into the grain as you spread it. Allow it to set up a little bit (maybe 10 minutes), then very lightly, very very lightly, use a scaper to remove the excess. You want to leave an extremely thin film of wet grain filler on the surface. In some places there won't even be a film. It doesn't matter - the idea is to not scrape any of it out of the grain. Just get the excess grain filler off and put it back in the can. Now, allow it to dry until it starts to look a little chalky (maybe 20 minutes) (Do not allow it to completely dry!) , then take a rough cloth (burlap works best) and rub the rest of the excess off. Rub against the grain or in a circular motion. When the burlap gets clogged up, fold it over and continue. Pretty soon, you'll have a smooth piece of wood with the only grain filler remaining in the grain. Your wood will look clean. Do not sand. At no point do you use sandpaper on grain filler. Allow it to dry overnight and you are ready to start finishing.
Sometimes if wood has very open pores of grain, it will take two or even three coats of grain filler to get it completely smooth. Some radios need a little grain showing to "look right". Cheaper sets did not have a piano finish when new and they look kind of fake if too much grain filler is used. They end up looking like plastic wood instead of wood.. does that make sense? You just have to use your own judgement on when to stop grain filling.
On the radio featured in this thread, I did not desire a piano finish. That GE was a cheap set when new. However, over the years, the grain had opened up too much, leaving a very rough wood surface. Even with three coats of filler, it wasn't piano smooth.... and I didn't want it to be... I wanted some grain to show. Now, on my Philco Bullet radio, I wanted a piano finish. It's a personal choice you will learn to make once you get the hang of this.
The artist formerly known as Puhpow! 8)
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