Padouk body with Tru-Oil finish?

[Bob_Ross]

I'm planning a Warmoth build, and have my heart set on a Padouk top laminate on an Alder body. Or perhaps a Padouk top laminate on a Swamp Ash body, although some folks have told me Swamp Ash is a real bitch to finish because it's so porous

...which leads to my actual question: I'd like to do a Tru-Oil finish, both because I like the way oil finishes look, but also because I'll be doing the finishing myself and I'm an idiot, so I don't want to take on a project that's too involved or time-consuming. Hence I'm happy to go with Alder since I've heard it takes Tru-Oil very easily and doesn't require any grainfill prior to the oil.

But I've heard mixed messages on how the Padouk will work with Tru-Oil.

Can I do a Tru-Oil finish on Padouk without requiring grainfill?

Are there advantages to using grainfill prior to the Tru-Oil on a Padouk body top? ...or disadvantages to not using grainfill?

Anything special or additional I need to know about Tru-Oil and Padouk before I start wiping on coats?

Thanks.

 

[jamesCD]

If your going to do any kind of finish sanding make sure the body is dust free before you add the oil. Getting that dust wet turns it into a stain that will be visible on your alder or ash.
I've never had to grain-fill to get a good finish on it, but others may have different opinions.

P.S. - Don't get any padouk dust on your clothes and throw it in with the regular laundry. Turned some of my wife's clothing pink. Still hearing about it years later

 

[Engine207]

P.P.S. - Wear a particulate mask when sanding. If you inhale padouk dust, you risk a nasty lung irritation.

 

[Luthier Atlanta]

Grain fill or many coats and sanding..

 

[Triad]

If you like the natural feel of wood, go for it.
I don't like filler, never used it for oil finishes. I only (partially) fill the grain if I'm gonna use some kind of varnish.

 

[kohntarkosz]

Tru Oil can be sanded in to function like a grain filler.

 

[pilotjones]

Tru Oil can be sanded in to function like a grain filler.

My experience is that using a varnish/oil finish (Waterlox in my case) for sanded-in pore filling resulted in noticeable shrink back in the pores weeks later. Pad auk pores are pretty big, and the finish looked dead flat for about two weeks. For me this was a problem, but it might be just fine for the OP, since he wants a more natural finish.

Also note that the filled pores will be dark brown.