Staining Swamp Ash Question

[delonybro]

Finally received my swamp ash gecko body from warmth. I've got 2 pieces of this chestnut burl veneer to bookmatch for the top.



Since the veneer with darken a lot more than the swamp ash body after I start finishing with tru-oil, I'd like to darken the sides and back of the body a bit so they aren't so starkly different from the top.

Here's where my confusion comes in. I'd like to use a dark walnut stain on the swamp ash, and use the drywall compound with black dye method to really bring out the grain. But i've read you can't stain swamp ash without major blotching unless you use something like zinsser sealcoat first to "condition" the wood. So this leaves me confused as to how to get the stain and dark pore filling done to bring out the grain.

Can anyone provide some insight on the order of how to accomplish this for the swamp ash?

1. Sand to 320 Grit
2. A coat or 2 of zinsser sealcoat
3. Dark walnut stain
4. Died drywall compound pore filler
5. Sand back compound
6. Tru oil

A different order?

or should I just stick with the zinsser, stain and tru oil and skip the drywall compound pore filler, using the tru oil slurry method to grain fill for a smooth finish and not have strongly accentuated grain lines?

Thanks for any input or direction!

 

[praisegig]

Can anyone provide some insight on the order of how to accomplish this for the swamp ash?

1. Sand to 320 Grit
2. A coat or 2 of zinsser sealcoat
3. Dark walnut stain
4. Died drywall compound pore filler
5. Sand back compound
6. Tru oil

A different order?

Basically, the reason one would use the sealer (wash coat)coat, is to keep the grain filler from staining the field of the wood. This would apply mostly when using an oil based grain filler.

If you have the Sealcoat already, thin it 50/50 with denatured alcohol and brush on 2 coats. Let dry then do the grain fill procedure. Let dry and level sand with 320. Repeat if necessary, level sand with 400. Apply stain to desired color, let cure for 2-3 days, then apply the TO. I never have used the drywall compound for grain filler, but the above is for oil based grain filler. JMHO

Basic finishing schedule
1. Sand to 320 Grit
2. A coat or 2 of zinsser sealcoat
3. Died drywall compound pore filler
4. Sand back compound
5. Dark walnut stain
6. Tru oil

 

[delonybro]

Thanks so much this is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for clearing up my confusion!

 

[delonybro]

Thanks @Praisegig!!!!

Here's the process so far. The veneer arrived today so after flattening I'll get it on the front of the bass, dried, and start the oiling. Thanks for your help!

Here's the back before starting...

Here it is after the 2 wash coats...

Here's the mix of spackle and RIT dye...

Here is the grain filler all slathered on...

Started sanding...

An eternity later...

And finally, the stain!

Worked better than I could have imagined! Thanks again for your valuable input!

 

[mikebpeters]

I really like your control cavity design and your workmanship there - well done.

 

[crashonskis]

Wow, gorgeous

 

[delonybro]

Thanks, guys! I can't take credit for the control cavity design, though. This is a Warmoth bass so their creative geniuses came up with the design. I'm just gonna shield it and stuff it with an audere classic 4-band pre and a couple of 9volts.

 

[krfoss]

For a clear coat, would you just use a lacquer a few times with sanding in between?