Grain Filling for Antique Rosewood...

[DavidEl]

Hi there

I have an antique Rosewood campaign box that I have stripped down to the bear veneer. I want to achieve a smooth French polish finish with, ideally, no grain visible (I use Liberon Special Pale French polish).

As this wood has quite a deep grain to it, I was wondering if anyone could advise a good solution for grain filling that won’t leave light coloured flecks in the grain, and get the wood surface flat and level prior to polishing.

The natural colour of the Rosewood is deep and rich, so I wouldn’t be adding any stain to it.

My sincere appreciation to anyone who can advise on this matter

David

 

[ED65]

As you might know already there are numerous options for grain filling, including filling with the finish itself, and obviously there are a host of commercial products sold for this purpose but I'll mention two alternatives, the first one of the oldest methods going, using plaster of Paris. Yes it's old but it's still a viable method and it's one of the simplest and most straightforward ways to do it.

In this case you'll want to tint it, and after oiling you get this sort of ta-da moment:

This is well described in many French polishing books and older finishing guides if you want to read up further and see more pics.

Complete opposite end of the spectrum: you can grain fill with paint (in this case, black paint). I'd use enamel for the slower drying time and the jet-black colour but blackboard paint, which is usually water-bourne, I believe also works well.

 

[custard]

you can grain fill with paint (in this case, black paint). I'd use enamel for the slower drying time

:shock:

Ed, in the name of common decency, shouldn't you make it clear to David, before he ruins his project, that you've never actually done any of this?

David, the problem with your project is you don't have any scraps or off-cuts to experiment with, so you need to be thinking "safety first". If you're relatively inexperienced then consider a proprietary grain filler. Personally I use Jecofil, but any of the big name brands will likely be just as good.

 

[mrpercysnodgrass]

Hi David.
I would never use plaster of paris to fill the grain, the colour will eventually blow out and you will be left with a white grain. Rosewood has a cavernous grain and you will need a little patience to fill it. There are many methods to fill the grain and a proprietary grain filler is a good place to start. I notice from your profile that you are in London. If you are norf of the wawter you have WS jenkins in Tottenham where you can buy some grain filler, I would go for their 'repro mahogany Nº4'. It is a good all round filler for dark woods. If you are sarf of the wawter you have Mylands, I have not used their grain fillers but I'm sure they will be every bit as good as Jenkins just ask them for a dark brown.
When you have applied your filler, leave it for 24hrs then get some of your Liberon SPB on a cotton rag and work it into the grain in a circular motion using a firm pressure and finish with the grain as it becomes stiff. Repeat this until the polish starts to drag and burn. leave again for 24hrs. Cut back with 240g or 320g. The grain should be pretty much full by now, if not repeat with the cotton rag and SPB. Cut back again and if the grain is now full you can start to French polish with your rubber.
Hope this helps. let us know how you get on.
Regards.
Paul.

 

[ED65]

David, for a little balance on the issue of using plaster, see this previous thread from a few years back.

And it should be noted that more than a few experienced luthiers, and restorers of fine pianos (where the above image came from) still rely on it. I suggest that if it's good enough for work of that level it should be good enough for anyone. But as always opinions vary, and I'm sure a contrary one will be along shortly.

 

[DavidEl]

Let me sincerely thank everyone who took the time to reply and explain all this to me, I’m so genuinely appreciative.
Due to my lack of knowledge in this field, I thought it would be best to buy the ready made grain filler. As advised, I contacted Paul at WS Jenkins; he was incredibly helpful and even tested a few colours for me. He has recommended the Antique Mahogany colour as it’s the darkest they do (besides black).
I’m excited to begin this project.
Paul, I will follow the instructions you kindly gave me.

My thanks again