[G-Whiz]

His might sounds stupid to some of you all. It seems the general consensus is to use grain filler on mahogany before finishing. I ordered some from the Reranch and used it. Nowhere did I ever hear to stain THEN grain fill. Now the wood won't take ebony stain. What to do?

I rubbed some acetone in it and sanded, but it just won't soak up. I would normally just shoot clear over it an call it a day, but it's blotchy from previous failed stainings. Should I just bleach the wood and leave it natural?

[G-Whiz]

By the way, Otto correct sucks the first line is supposed to be, "this might sound stupid..."

Sorry haha.

[drmilktruck]

I learned from Dan Erlewine's book to apply just the wood stain before grain filler. Good reference if you don't have it. (Doesn't help your situation though.)

[G-Whiz]

Originally Posted by drmilktruck

I learned from Dan Erlewine's book to apply just the wood stain before grain filler. Good reference if you don't have it. (Doesn't help your situation though.)

I thought it had read it differently. Thanks for the clarification. In my defense, the directions do not say anything about that.

I guess I should just bleach it and I that don't look good, I'll just paint it with the rest of the guitar.

[G-Whiz]

Any ideas anyone?

[calvin lee]

i say keep expirimenting until it's a splotchy mess. then clear coat.

[G-Whiz]

Originally Posted by calvin lee

i say keep expirimenting until it's a splotchy mess. then clear coat.

I suppose it's a mistake anyone could make considering the lack of information available.

[fender62custom]

Firstly l admire your tenacity 'G'...keep at it until you can't find a solution...like you said if all else fails you can paint it...l think a custom 'Triple' would look the goods with an all over paint job anyway as l mentioned in PM's...either way when she's finished you'll still be proud of her & learnt some valuable lessons...cheers!!!!!

[johnnyguitar]

I didn't use grain filler and had issues at the headstock where the angle goes against the grain, so grain fillet or no Mahogany is a pain to stain. I think the factory uses tinted poly so the color is on the wood not in it.

[6stings]

The stain goes into the grains, I think you'll loose much of the color if you fill the same grains later. Here's stained only mahogany tele body, it's more like chocolate brown in real, you can see how the grains sucked the stain. I used alchohol based stain, don't remember which one

[fletch]

I'm going to go way outside the box here, and I REALLY think you should try it on some scrap wood first, but if you get a Sharpie pen, the same colour as your desired stain and 'draw' in the tone, it might work. I've done it to repair walnut stained furniture. Sharpie pens are amazing beasts.

I don't know the extent of the area you want stained, but I presume the filled area/s are small.

[G-Whiz]

Originally Posted by fletch

I'm going to go way outside the box here, and I REALLY think you should try it on some scrap wood first, but if you get a Sharpie pen, the same colour as your desired stain and 'draw' in the tone, it might work. I've done it to repair walnut stained furniture. Sharpie pens are amazing beasts.

I don't know the extent of the area you want stained, but I presume the filled area/s are small.

I was thinking Sharpie, but it's the entire back and sides of a Jet. I emailed the Reranch to see what they would suggest. I'll let you all know when I hear back.

I also read that a toothbrush with lacquer thinner will do the job. We'll see.

[drmilktruck]

My understanding is that when you stain the bare wood the stain adheres to the higher parts of the grain, and the grain filler (assuming the right color is chosen) fills in the low parts. The contrast is what makes the grain pop, after all the clear coats. You can do additional color coats after a wash coat.

[Archtop 13]

Sand it out, Start over.

[6stings]

I don't know how they manage to stain those mahogany telecasters, but they look so good to me!

[Archtop 13]

I like the open grain look. Looks like they didn't use filler. I did a Koa top like this. I really liked the natural feel.

[G-Whiz]

I ended up sanding it out. Stain looks good now.

[papalobo]

These days I use shellac as a grain filler , once it has finished soaking in , buff to 600 grit and shoot the nitro. Works well so far . I've done it with Alder , Swamp Ash, Mahagony, and Koa .

[calvin lee]

that is one wacky looking guitar. i like it.

[6stings]

Lobo, nice color, but what's that thing up there?