Finishing Red Oak.

[Mark]

Let me start with, I have searched and searched the site, but I'm not getting the posts I'm looking for.

I seem to remember someone using (?) something along with the sanding, to help fill in a rough grained wood.

Does anyone remember what that something is. I believe it was polish, but I can't locate the thread.

Any suggestions are welcome. I'm looking for a silky smooth look (yet maintaining some of the grain) when I'm done. I will experiment with anything I need to. I'm thinking it wasn't CA, because I wouldn't want to seal the surface until it's really filled in.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[BigguyZ]

CA can be built up enough to fill in the pores. Another option is to ca with a slurry of sand + CA, then lightly sand. This creates a pore filler that will smooth the grain out. Or, try pore filler?

 

[Steve Busey]

Not sure what you've read, but red oak is very open grain, so perhaps a sanding sealer would be a first step. Treating with multiple coats of thin CA would also help seal the pores. But I'd test on a piece of scrap wood before trying it on an actual project.

 

[Pen_Turner_297]

I use a product called wood kote paste wood filler it is recommended to achieve a smooth surface on open grain woods

 

[turbowagon]

Here's what works for me with open-grained woods:

1. turn pen barrel to desired shape (do not sand yet)
2. apply 1 - 2 coats of thin CA.
3. "wet-sand" with 220 grit and medium CA
4. dry sand with 220 until you sand through surface CA
5. dry sand with 320, 400, 600, 2400 -> 12,000 micromesh
6. apply CA finish

 

[GoodTurns]

if you want to keep the wood color, you can make a slurry from powdered shavings and CA...it will fill the spaces with matching color.

 

[Mark]

Thank you very much for the quick responses. I'll keep printing them all out and giving them all a try. I greatly appreciate the help...

 

[Wildman]

I use Deft sanding sealer and several coats of Deft high gloss, and do not worry about filling pores.

 

[dankc908]

I sand the oak (or other open-grained wood) with 150-180 grit sand paper saving the sanding 'dust', make a medium-thick slurry with BLO (Boiled Linseed Oil) and rub it into the wood. This does 2 things - 1. it fills the grain and 2. it 'pops' the grain. I love the results.

 

[Mark]

Thank you. I appreciate everyone, taking the time to respond...