I am finishing a mahogany table top. First time for mahogany with me. Sanded progressively up to 220 with a random orbit sander. Soaked with distilled water to raise grain. Scuff sanded with 220. Dyed with water base aniline dye to get to a dark Cuban red. Waited 24 hours and then applied a Bartley jet mahogany gel stain. Completed the stain and then immediately followed with a second application incorporating rotten stone. Made a thick past with the stain, rubbed it in with small circular motion followed by diagonal strokes. Just before it tacked up, buffed off with a clean rag. Basically a partial french polish. My goal was to fill the pores and possibly eliminate needing a pore filler. I think I have succeeded. Grain and figure really popped nicely and overall the table has a nice even satin finish. Plan on a coat of shellac and then a hand rubbed poly for finish. I will let this dry for two to three days, before the shellac.
So…. will this work, or am I headed for trouble. I had read everything I could get my hands on and could not figure out why this would not work. I was not excited about sanding down the pore filler, (would have used crystalac) because I did not want to sand through the finish.
So…. will this work, or am I headed for trouble. I had read everything I could get my hands on and could not figure out why this would not work. I was not excited about sanding down the pore filler, (would have used crystalac) because I did not want to sand through the finish.