are you set on a poly finish? if not, what about a wet sanded danish oil finish? wet sanding with the oil will create a slurry of oil and wood to create a paste that will be the correct color and can fill whatever pores you need......
my steps doing this so far are:
sand 60 grit
rub in oil
let stand for a bit
wipe off oil
let dry (1 or more days)
repeated with 100, 150, 220 grits.......
then wet sand (oil) with 320 and 600 grit (already as smooth as h$%l)
note, this is NOT a glossy finish, but very satiny.
next step will be the watco satin wax and then Howard's carnuba/orange and beeswax
i'm using this method on a Jazz bass clone with a brazilian ash/flamed lauro canela body and a mighty mite maple/maple neck........yes my first is an "assembly" and i plan on working up to scratch builds as my confidence grows.........
i found this (or similar methods) online in various places.
otherwise i've had good luck using Minwax satin poly (wipe on) on a couple refinishes... i've had blotchy results with a cherry stain and that bass is on the list for the danish oil treatment....
Minwax Products
in Inlays and Finishing Chat
Posted
i'm by no means an expert but....
are you set on a poly finish? if not, what about a wet sanded danish oil finish? wet sanding with the oil will create a slurry of oil and wood to create a paste that will be the correct color and can fill whatever pores you need......
my steps doing this so far are:
sand 60 grit
rub in oil
let stand for a bit
wipe off oil
let dry (1 or more days)
repeated with 100, 150, 220 grits.......
then wet sand (oil) with 320 and 600 grit (already as smooth as h$%l)
note, this is NOT a glossy finish, but very satiny.
next step will be the watco satin wax and then Howard's carnuba/orange and beeswax
i'm using this method on a Jazz bass clone with a brazilian ash/flamed lauro canela body and a mighty mite maple/maple neck........yes my first is an "assembly" and i plan on working up to scratch builds as my confidence grows.........
i found this (or similar methods) online in various places.
otherwise i've had good luck using Minwax satin poly (wipe on) on a couple refinishes... i've had blotchy results with a cherry stain and that bass is on the list for the danish oil treatment....
anyways, HTH
jackie