How to deal with grainy wood

[MadDogMcQ]

Hi all,

I've just started a Panart Vaporetto and have noticed in other folk's builds that the seats inside the boat look incredibly grainy once they're painted and I would like to avoid the same finish. Is there some sort of "stopper" I could use to flatten or infill that grain prior to painting?

 

 

I'm not trying to go over the top (I was going to say overboard but maybe that's a censored word around here 😂), but considering that these bench-seats will be so easy to work on, I thought it might be worth paying them more attention.

 

 

[BETAQDAVE]

    You need to apply a wood filler like Minwax 21600000 high performance filler first.  This particular brand is my favorite as it's ready for sanding in about half an hour.  Then sand it down until you get it to your desired smoothness.  Once done you can paint it and have the smooth finish you're looking for.

[kurtvd19]

When I want wood to be smooth I use an automotive body filler meant to fill scratches in final or close to final sanding.  It adheres to wood w/o any problem.  Bondo Glazing and Spot Putty.  This isn't meant to fill massive dents, dips are voids - that's regular body filler Bondo.

I use an old credit card as a squeegee to force the filler into the wood grain - don't let it build up.  When cured I sand it and see how smooth it is.   If you want the part to look like metal or fiberglass multiple coats might be needed.

Some use Spackle wall hole filler the same way.

[Roger Pellett]

You can also try the old gunsmith’s trick called “whiskering.”  Very lightly dampen the bare wood with water and let it dry.  This will raise the grain.   Now sand it with fine sandpaper.  This should reduce the tendency of the grain to raise when you apply your finish.

 

Roger

[vaddoc]

Replace the wood with something better?

[No Idea]

Give the wood a coat of Z-poxy finishing resin and once dry lightly sand it down. It will give you a glass like finish that’s ready for painting. You will definitely not see any grain at all 

[allanyed]

If you are going to paint it anyway, consider polystyrene sheeting which is very easy to cut with a stiff razor or scalpel.  If you prefer to stay with wood, Vaddoc has good advice, use a close grained wood like castello or boxwood.

Allan

[MadDogMcQ]

Thanks for your help guys - much appreciated! 🙂 👍