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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: T Folts on February 12, 2019, 12:50:01 PM

Title: Grain filler. Wenge
Post by: T Folts on February 12, 2019, 12:50:01 PM

I have been using automotive clear to fill my bows with good success until i switched brands. Now they develop little white specs after they are finished. I use thunderbird as my top coat. Any one see this issue or know how to solve it. Im kinda gun shy of grain fillers .
Any help
Thanks Terry.

Title: Re: Grain filler. Wenge
Post by: kennym on February 12, 2019, 01:00:22 PM

Terry ,

I filled some wenge on last years trade bow with EA 40 mixed then cut with acetone about 50/50  and it did a good job on it.


Kind of like a Massey finish ...

Sanded and sprayed normal finish on it.

Maybe Dannon will see this and comment as he has the bow.

Title: Re: Grain filler. Wenge
Post by: Bvas on February 12, 2019, 01:35:20 PM

What kind of prep are you doing between the clear coat and Tbird? Blowing off? Wiping down?

Title: Re: Grain filler. Wenge
Post by: T Folts on February 12, 2019, 01:46:27 PM

Everything is clean and dust free.

Title: Re: Grain filler. Wenge
Post by: Bvas on February 12, 2019, 03:37:12 PM

I was more curious if you were wiping down with any chemicals.  I know acetone can leave white spots.  I had a drop of acetone get on the last bow I sprayed with TBird.  I thought I gave it ample time to evaporate, but could still see a slight white hazing where the acetone had been.

Ive been using cheap dollar store super glue for grain filling, and haven't had any issues.

Title: Re: Grain filler. Wenge
Post by: T Folts on February 12, 2019, 03:51:05 PM

I do wipe it so i guess its possible.  Thanks.
Maybe wipe with alcohol instead.

Title: Re: Grain filler. Wenge
Post by: Bvas on February 12, 2019, 04:17:16 PM

I blow mine off with compressor than just wipe with an old dry T-shirt. Then right before spraying I will go over it with a tack rag.

Title: Re: Grain filler. Wenge
Post by: Crooked Stic on February 12, 2019, 04:28:54 PM

Do what Kenny said or get some finishing epoxy and brush it on. either way it is gonna be a lot of sanding.

Title: Re: Grain filler. Wenge
Post by: Crooked Stic on February 12, 2019, 06:37:27 PM

Forgot to say go 50/50 with acetone . ZAP brand
(https://i.imgur.com/FbhSozw.jpg)

Title: Re: Grain filler. Wenge
Post by: goobersan on February 12, 2019, 08:19:23 PM

I'm considering trying T-Bird. Their instructions say NOT to wipe down with any chemical after 1st coat.
TroyDBreeding did a thing many years ago about EA-40. I made the mistake of not waiting for catalyst to start  :banghead:    Might try again this year  :dunno: or spend the money on T-Bird......

Title: Re: Grain filler. Wenge
Post by: 4 point on February 12, 2019, 09:13:15 PM

I tried the smooth on acetone mix once and it wouldn't cure. What did I do wrong? It seemed like it was hard to get the two mixed together.

Title: Re: Grain filler. Wenge
Post by: Flem on February 12, 2019, 10:03:03 PM

Check out this stuff, it actually works good

https://www.smooth-on.com/products/epic-epoxy-thinner/

Title: Re: Grain filler. Wenge
Post by: jess stuart on February 12, 2019, 10:24:18 PM

I have used smooth on a few times but, like BSI 20 minute finishing epoxy better.  I get it at a local hobby shop that specializes in remote control airplanes.

Title: Re: Grain filler. Wenge
Post by: bamboo on February 13, 2019, 08:04:35 PM

i have used super glue and its ok--but i found i didn't like the way it "blacked out" the grain--i found the lacquer filler and epoxy also had the blackout effect--

i did this one with minwax waterborne poly--it takes a few coatings to seal it properly--then finishing epoxy