Grain filler

[Bad Moon Guitars]

What happens if you finish Ash without first using grain filler? If it is going to be painted a solid color, is it really needed?

Thanks,

Keith

[Morben Guitars]

It depends how "open" your grain is. Grain filler, while often cosmetically pleasing, does much more than look good. It prevents the finish from sinking into the grain over time. Mahogany is famous for this. Sometimes with Ash, you can get away with using a sanding sealer or even the lacquer itself to do a pretty good job of sealing the grain. It's worth the extra step to ensure a smooth surface for years to come tho. -Ben