Wood Grain Fillers

« back to Woodworking Skill Share forum

6 posts in 2276 days

2272 days ago

I’ve been working on a project to re-finish my oak dinning room table. I’m nearly ready to start finishing and would like some advise.
After nearly 20 years of applying natural wax finish to this table, I want something a bit more maintenance free. What really drove me nuts was that the table leaves never really matched. I had to make sure leaf #1 was sitting next to #2 and then #3. Even then they were not aligned, as I would have liked. I told my wife I could make that…., but I digress.
My question is about grain fillers. I want to use a clear grain filler so that I can get that smooth finish, but I don’t want the grain to disappear or a finish that looks deep enough to be an aquarium. I plan on using Behlen’s Rockhard varnish
I’ve seen that CrystaLac woodgrain filler is getting good reviews. Has anyone used this? Any other options or ideas?

2 replies so far

Bill

home | projects | blog

2579 posts in 2333 days

#1 posted 2269 days ago

I do not have experience with grain fillers, but maybe Dusty does. His 12 step mission finish is one to behold.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

HoBoMoNK

home | projects | blog

1381 posts in 2299 days

#2 posted 2267 days ago

Hi Craig:

Behlen’s Rockard Varnish is it’s own grain filler when built up in layers.
Try sanding the initial layers done to ultra-fine grits (think automotive sanding supplies).
Then build the final coats on top of the leveled base layers.
Don’t forget to start with a well parepared wood surface.
I generally don’t take oak beyond 180 grit, so the grain shows.
A little counter stain may pop grain, if that’s what you want.
Consider using Zinsser SealCoat shellac for the first sealing coat.

Add to the above my secret ingredient – elbow grease. :)

-- 温故知新

Have your say...

You must be signed in to reply.

Forum	Topics
Woodworking Skill Share Your woodworking skills are displayed for several lifetimes in each project. Have you had to compromise your project...	8798
Woodturning On the lathe, by the lathe: do you have questions? frustrations? tips? This forum is for all the woodturners out there.	224
Woodcarving Relief, 3D, chip-carving, whittling; carving knives, chisels, pocket-knives, power tools. If you are a carver or want...	28
Scrollsawing Intarsia, fretwork, intricate design cutting and more! This forum is for scrollsawers: share your tips, ask questions...	61
Joinery Have a question? a tip/strategy to share? a challenge, perhaps? Share your "joinery" discussion here.	82
Finishing The finish, whether paint, wax, stain, or something else, can make or break a project. What are your tips and questio...	1537
Designing Woodworking Projects Looking for information on designing your projects? Having difficulties reading project plans? Looking for help with ...	3554
Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories Are you unsure of which tools, or hardware, you need, or which brands to buy? Investing in tools and hardware can be ...	15806
Hand Tools Wood, your hand tools, you and a little know-how. Share your questions, tips and strategies for the use and maintenan...	2039
Jigs & Fixtures Using a jig is like having a couple extra hands helping out. Show us your jigs, share your tips, strategies and, of c...	496
Wood & Lumber Different wood requires different woodworking strategies - from cutting to finishing. Share your tips and challenges ...	2846
Safety in the Woodworking Shop Before you pick up those woodworking tools, take the time to ensure your safety in the shop! Eyes, ears, fingers, and...	810
Focus on the Workspace Are you looking for or do you have tips to share regarding the workshop? Storage, equipment placement, efficiency, an...	903
Sweating for Bucks Through Woodworking If you are selling your work, then you have entered a woodworking dimension with added complexity and stress. If you...	766
Woodworking Trade & Swap All of us are holding onto treasure in our shops, that we either don't need, don't want, or could part with if presen...	2741
LumberJocks.com Site Feedback Connect with the Website Gurus and tell us what you are thinking, suggestions, problems, functionality issues, and so...	1547
Coffee Lounge Need a break from all the standing and wood dust? Chat with your Forum Friends about their projects, their life, thei...	6165

	Author	Latest activity		New comments or replies since you last checked
Round Ring Extension Dining Table	DustyMark	38 seconds ago	by U3335	sign in to get readership tracking
SCMS vs. table saw for furniture joints	unisaw	2 minutes ago	by Picklehead	sign in to get readership tracking
lathes	gkellop	3 minutes ago	by gkellop	sign in to get readership tracking
Ronald G Campbell 's Workshop	Ronald G Campbell	6 minutes ago	by RodNGun	sign in to get readership tracking
Corn Holes - USAF Logo	DYankee	9 minutes ago	by Jerry	sign in to get readership tracking
Blue Collar Woodworking... The best woodworking show since the invention of wood!	StumpyNubs	10 minutes ago	by Roger Clark aka Rex	sign in to get readership tracking
side table	CLWidener	10 minutes ago	by CLWidener	sign in to get readership tracking
9 Month Project Complete!	Airframer	10 minutes ago	by IdeaBill	sign in to get readership tracking
Grizzly Drum Sander	GuyK	21 minutes ago		sign in to get readership tracking
Existing Kitchen Cabinets	MOJOE	23 minutes ago	by Wdwerker	sign in to get readership tracking

Wood Grain Fillers

2 replies so far

Have your say...

Woodworking Skill Share Your woodworking skills are displayed for several lifetimes in each project. Have you had to compromise your project...

Woodturning On the lathe, by the lathe: do you have questions? frustrations? tips? This forum is for all the woodturners out there.

Woodcarving Relief, 3D, chip-carving, whittling; carving knives, chisels, pocket-knives, power tools. If you are a carver or want...

Scrollsawing Intarsia, fretwork, intricate design cutting and more! This forum is for scrollsawers: share your tips, ask questions...

Joinery Have a question? a tip/strategy to share? a challenge, perhaps? Share your "joinery" discussion here.

Finishing The finish, whether paint, wax, stain, or something else, can make or break a project. What are your tips and questio...

Designing Woodworking Projects Looking for information on designing your projects? Having difficulties reading project plans? Looking for help with ...

Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories Are you unsure of which tools, or hardware, you need, or which brands to buy? Investing in tools and hardware can be ...

Hand Tools Wood, your hand tools, you and a little know-how. Share your questions, tips and strategies for the use and maintenan...

Jigs & Fixtures Using a jig is like having a couple extra hands helping out. Show us your jigs, share your tips, strategies and, of c...

Wood & Lumber Different wood requires different woodworking strategies - from cutting to finishing. Share your tips and challenges ...

Safety in the Woodworking Shop Before you pick up those woodworking tools, take the time to ensure your safety in the shop! Eyes, ears, fingers, and...

Focus on the Workspace Are you looking for or do you have tips to share regarding the workshop? Storage, equipment placement, efficiency, an...

Sweating for Bucks Through Woodworking If you are selling your work, then you have entered a woodworking dimension with added complexity and stress. If you...

Woodworking Trade & Swap All of us are holding onto treasure in our shops, that we either don't need, don't want, or could part with if presen...

LumberJocks.com Site Feedback Connect with the Website Gurus and tell us what you are thinking, suggestions, problems, functionality issues, and so...

Coffee Lounge Need a break from all the standing and wood dust? Chat with your Forum Friends about their projects, their life, thei...

LumberJocks Pulse

Woodworking Skill Share
Your woodworking skills are displayed for several lifetimes in each project. Have you had to compromise your project...

Woodturning
On the lathe, by the lathe: do you have questions? frustrations? tips? This forum is for all the woodturners out there.

Woodcarving
Relief, 3D, chip-carving, whittling; carving knives, chisels, pocket-knives, power tools. If you are a carver or want...

Scrollsawing
Intarsia, fretwork, intricate design cutting and more! This forum is for scrollsawers: share your tips, ask questions...

Joinery
Have a question? a tip/strategy to share? a challenge, perhaps? Share your "joinery" discussion here.

Finishing
The finish, whether paint, wax, stain, or something else, can make or break a project. What are your tips and questio...

Designing Woodworking Projects
Looking for information on designing your projects? Having difficulties reading project plans? Looking for help with ...

Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories
Are you unsure of which tools, or hardware, you need, or which brands to buy? Investing in tools and hardware can be ...

Hand Tools
Wood, your hand tools, you and a little know-how. Share your questions, tips and strategies for the use and maintenan...

Jigs & Fixtures
Using a jig is like having a couple extra hands helping out. Show us your jigs, share your tips, strategies and, of c...

Wood & Lumber
Different wood requires different woodworking strategies - from cutting to finishing. Share your tips and challenges ...

Safety in the Woodworking Shop
Before you pick up those woodworking tools, take the time to ensure your safety in the shop! Eyes, ears, fingers, and...

Focus on the Workspace
Are you looking for or do you have tips to share regarding the workshop? Storage, equipment placement, efficiency, an...

Sweating for Bucks Through Woodworking
If you are selling your work, then you have entered a woodworking dimension with added complexity and stress. If you...

Woodworking Trade & Swap
All of us are holding onto treasure in our shops, that we either don't need, don't want, or could part with if presen...

LumberJocks.com Site Feedback
Connect with the Website Gurus and tell us what you are thinking, suggestions, problems, functionality issues, and so...

Coffee Lounge
Need a break from all the standing and wood dust? Chat with your Forum Friends about their projects, their life, thei...