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I keep seeing folks skip the grain filler on oak and it drives me nuts
In my shop, we finish a lot of mission style pieces, and skipping a grain filler on open-pored wood like white oak just leaves a rough, uneven surface no matter how many coats of Arm-R-Seal you slap on. I learned this the hard way on a commission for a lawyer's office in Cincinnati last year. The client could feel the texture under their arm and it ruined the whole 'smooth as glass' look we were going for. Has anyone else found a filler they really trust for large flat surfaces like tabletops?
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oliver_morgan28d ago
That Timbermate stuff works pretty well for large flat surfaces. I had the same problem with an oak dining table last year. Filled the grain with Timbermate tinted to match the wood, sanded it smooth, and then hit it with a few coats of Arm-R-Seal. The final result was dead flat and the client couldn't feel a thing. Just make sure you let it dry fully before sanding or it'll gum up the paper. Aqua Coat is another one I've had decent luck with, but Timbermate is easier to find locally.
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