Reducing Grain Definition
Pros share tips for filling pores to keep stain from over-enhancing the natural grain patterns of ash. June 28, 2005
Question
I have white ash that I am using on a project, and I am looking to have the grain on it reduced. Does anyone have any recommendations on what to use to minimize the open grain? I tried using a natural wood filler, but all this seemed to do was highlight the grain.
Forum Responses
(Finishing Forum)
From contributor R:
I think you’re on the right track by applying a wood filler. Instead of using the natural color, which is a little on the yellow side, try getting yourself a pure white paste wood filler, and mix some colors into that to match the color of the ash. Keep in mind that you won’t ever get a 100% perfect color, but you can get real close.
From contributor B:
Is the ash going to be stained or painted?
From the original questioner:
To contributor B: It’s going to be stained.
From contributor B:
Are you looking for a smooth finish from a grain filling, or do you just want the stain to get in the grain and show the grain definitions?
From the original questioner:
To contributor B: I’m looking to reduce the grain definition.
From contributor D:
We often mix natural filler with the wiping stain in a variety of ratios depending on effect desired, which is typically 1 to 1. It helps bottom out the pores, yet maintains the color of the stain. Straight natural filler doesn't look good in the pores. With the correct refraction and light, the pores stay noticeably light.
From contributor B:
Since you are looking to reduce the grain definition, I would suggest using a dye stain to keep your grain definition down. If the color is light to medium, then you should seal the wood first. Then mix up your dye color and spray it on (after sanding the sealer). Mix the color of different dyes if one standard color is not right. For example, you can take Mohawks Perfect Brown and add Br.Mah or even Red Mah. to get a brownish-red, or whatever color you're looking for. Then reduce it by 1:3 or 1:4. Spray it on a sample first, and it may take 2-3 passes to get your color match.
Try to start off lighter than what you need. I like to use a gravity fed gun for this. I like a 1.3, or a smaller tip. When you have color, then top coat or seal, glaze and top coat, depending on what you're going for. If the color is dark, then start off with almost full color and make several passes, then you're not going to worry about grain at all - in fact, you won't be able to see anything. Using the sealer first will keep the stain out of the grain, and by spraying and not wiping, it definitely will help that as well.
From contributor R:
No matter how you look at it, how you color it, or how you fill it, ash has open pores. If this is going to create a problem, maybe you could try changing the wood species to alder, maple, birch, or poplar, each of which doesn’t have such a pronounced pore.
