African Padauk Finishing

[moztech]

Finally took the first step, bought the wood, African Padauk for body and neck (had second thoughts as I carried the 6’x9”X2” piece of timber up three flights of stairs, its heavy). A question of finishing Padauk, I am looking to keep the woods great colour and the natural grain/figuring but with a smooth polished finish. I assume that I will need a lot of grain filler but wont that ruin the natural grain and colour. Any suggestions?

[Setch]

Use a clear epoxy to fil lthe grain - this will give you a smooth surface without compromising the look of padauk. You could experiment with thinning the first application with alcohol to really 'pop' the figure, though too much can interfere with the hardness of the cured epoxy.