Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by frank learman on October 11, 2018 at 2:01pm

I have had great success using super glue as a grain filler on open pore wood such as oak, walnut and mahogany. I use a old credit card / gift card type plastic to spread the super glue into the pores. Once the glue is dry I sand it back with 320 paper and finish as usual, I prefer tru-oil. This treatment makes oak and mahogany smooth as glass.

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Permalink Reply by Frank Scott on October 11, 2018 at 2:33pm

Thanks Frank for the information. If you are using super glue to close the pores of the wood does the tru-oil you use just dry on the surface to be able to give you a smooth finish?  I figured if it was an oil it would just evaporate over time. 

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Permalink Reply by sparky37 on October 11, 2018 at 5:11pm

About 8 to 10 hand rubbed coats of thu-oil will give you a semi gloss look and a silky smooth hard feel when fully cured a week or two after last coat. Thu-oil does not evaporate over time but the finish will dull a bit over time and use. A good hand rub with a soft clothe will restore the luster and of course you can can always add another thin coat anytime in the future.

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Permalink Reply by Frank Scott on October 12, 2018 at 1:48am

Thanks sparky. Do you also use super glue or do you just use several coats of Tru-Oil as you described above?

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Permalink Reply by Webster Miller on October 12, 2018 at 3:52am

https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-tips/techniques/finishing/...

Personally, I use 2-3 coats of wipe-on poly and I don't bother grain filling. 

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Permalink Reply by Korrigan on October 12, 2018 at 12:02pm

I'm a fan of Howard Feed-N-Wax.

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Permalink Reply by Chris B-stock on October 12, 2018 at 12:46pm

I used several coats of Watco Danish Oil for a maple neck and oak fret board. No grain filling. Feels more like raw wood, but has some protection.

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Permalink Reply by Blind Doughboy on October 12, 2018 at 1:34pm

Another vote for Tru-Oil . . . but I've never needed to fill either. For a fretboard, six or seven coats is more than enough

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Permalink Reply by frank learman on October 12, 2018 at 2:20pm

While I don't disagree with any of the methods mentioned I think some of you would change your mind if you tried the super glue trick. It dries so fast and can knock 7 coats of anything down to 1 or none. I showed this method on a peace of mahogany to a old school cabinet maker of 50 years. His response was " I guess an old dog can learn new tricks". Try it, you'll like it....super hard,super fast finish.

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Permalink Reply by Frank Scott on October 12, 2018 at 4:46pm

I watched a video of a luthier using super glue on a piece of walnut and was amazed how well it looked after just a few coats and also how hard the finish turned out. It looked great.

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Permalink Reply by Webster Miller on October 13, 2018 at 1:47am

I've used CA glue on mahogany and walnut guitar bodies and it does make an excellent grain filler; I apply with a razor blade FWIW.  CA glue also works extremely well to drop fill a ding. 

With CBG's though, I'm never looking for a mirror finish or for them to appear 'perfect' in any way.   Nothing like that beautiful professional looking instrument you use for your avatar.   

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Permalink Reply by sparky37 on October 12, 2018 at 5:27pm

I haven't tried superglue as a wood filler yet, I'm after more of a natural feel and look as hand rubbing tru-oil into the wood gives you, but I never turn down new ideas.

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