Wood Grain Filler (Clear)

Savior Product!

I've used this exclusively for filling in deep walnut grain on doors and trim before painting. This stuff has been a lifesaver!

Success but some thoughts

Dear Crystalac, by and large a good success where another product previously failed. This was my first attempt at grain filling which means operator error was most likely at play for any shortcomings. But maybe this will be food for thought, and if you have any further advice I certainly would like to hear it. Tabletop made of white oak with big open grain. First applied a dye stain in a vehicle of water and diluted water base clear varnish as a conditioner. Then applied General Finishes Antique Brown with a rag. Then, your grain filler. On test pieces I realized that sanding irregularities such as dried rivulets or ridges was very difficult without burning through the stain. So I used a wide plastic putty knife to pull as much of the filler off, flush with the surface. 3 applications and the grain was filled. There was a small area where I left a haze of Crystalac but according to your video on YouTube, that would disappear when the clear finish would be applied. I found this to not be the case. The haze remaines visible... Please see area near breadboard end closest to camera... not bad enough for a re-do but in the future I will be certain to sand any visible haze to the point where it is virtually gone. I also wish there was a way to smooth the filler in some kind of final pass while still wet. The plastic knife did a pretty good job but there were areas of dried buildup that I sanded just to the point of burning through the stain... but these very small imperfections telegraphed through the clear finish.... and almost -- but not quite -- disappeared after 3 coats of final finish. Is there a way to re-imulsify the not quite dried filler with a rag and smooth this kind of thing without pulling the filler out of the pores? All in all, a very good success and I would use this product again.

Good Stuff!

I restore antique radios. This is great for filling in the grain on walnut veneer. I spread a skim coat with a straight edge razor. Then I sand it down to the wood. then I shoot the surface with a vinyl sealer. I apply stain and finish with a clear coat on lacquer. Looks smooth and glossy when done. Good product!