ryema22 Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Hi, I've read in a couple of places (Stewart-MacDonald for one) that Alder has a fairly closed pore structure and I don't need to fill them prior to spraying laquer. Can anyone confirm this through their own experience? I'm considering using a grain filler anyways just to be safe but if I really don't need to then I'll save myself the extra time and effort and go straight to spraying. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 (edited) No direct experience myself (yet) but I'd consider a precautionary a couple of grain fills and sandings out of course. A lot easier and less time-consuming than taking off or trying to repair a bad paintjob! The first grain fill and sand back will soon tell you whether the alder you have needs it or not :-) Edited August 16, 2006 by Prostheta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mammoth guitars Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 No Alder does not require pore or grain filler. You can apply it anyway if you prefer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drak Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Alder doesn't REQUIRE a grain filler, but if you don't use one, you will not be starting out with a dead flat surface like you would be with properly applied grain filler, you will need to shoot additional coats of lacquer to bring yourself up to a level finish, so it's really your call. I don't use grain filler on my Alder 'usually', but I don't mind shooting the additional coats, some other people might find it bothersome compared to starting out with a nice flat finish. Your call really, you can go either way. Or you can use CA glue to grain fill, which I've done before with positive results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matttheguy Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Sorry to go off topic a bit, but, excluding epoxy, what do you all recommend for grain filling mahogany, such as on Les Pauls? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prs man Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 I have finished alder with no grain filler and had no trouble. you might need to spray a few more coats of finish to get the results your want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vaxination Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 i, too, don't grain fill alder. however, i shoot a couple of coats of sanding sealer (and lightly sand) and that seems to level the surface in preparation for my clear coats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 I was pondering - the common automotive trick of using a dark colour as a dry marker when finishing sanding to highlight low spots or scratches might work using grain filler instead in the case of wood. Any opinion on this? Wood - being inconsistent in appearance - can hide scratches and voids easily, so I put to the vote that at least one grain fill pass (whether it all sands back or not) is a good acid test prior to paint? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maiden69 Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Sorry to go off topic a bit, but, excluding epoxy, what do you all recommend for grain filling mahogany, such as on Les Pauls? You can use grain filler from stewmac, CA glue, but i find that epoxy is the easies, if you apply it very thin and nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer X Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Just did an alder Soloist body a couple months ago. Zero grain filler. Great tone, too. Man, I love alder! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryema22 Posted August 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Thanks for the responses guys. I'm going to go without the grain filler and if I have to shoot a few extra coats of laqueur that's fine. Pictures of the finished project to come next week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Cool - keep us posted on your progress. Always good for reference! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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