Grain Filling for Mahogany

Two choices: grain filler, or high-solids poly. February 12, 2010

Question
I'm looking to build a mahogany kitchen. My customer would like a sample of filled grain and stained, and just stained with pre-cat lacquer. It's been a while on the filling of the pores. Any suggestions?

Forum Responses
(Finishing Forum)
From contributor J:
There are two approaches to filling the grain:

1. Old school: Use a paste wood filler. Trowel it on across the grain and remove with some burlap after it dries.

2. New school: Fill with finish using a high solids 2k urethane or polyester designed for high mil thickness applications.

Basically hose it on and sand it back down aggressively. Using multiple coats, achieve the fill desired.

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From the original questioner:
Thanks. Do you have any thoughts on the ML Campbell spray grade?

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From contributor J:
I'm not familiar with that product. I pretty much swore off ML Campbell after I got burned by Magnalac.

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From contributor B:
If you are going with ML Campbell, they have a product called Level Sealer that is very high solids and can be applied at 12 mils wet, so you could easily fill in the grain with probably two coats with a good amount of sanding in between. Then you can topcoat with whatever you want. I use Krystal conversion varnish over top of it, though. Or if you'd rather go with urethane, MLC also has a good 2k urethane. I've only used it once before, but had good results.