Jeffeoso,

I am about to apply a finish to a plain walnut
stock and was wondering if you routinely apply
a filler to the stock first? If you do, what
specifically do you use??? I am planning on
using an exterior grade of Polyurethane as the
top coat. Can you suggest something better?

In the past I have always used Linspeed but want
to try something different.

OEH,
Thanks for asking. I like, today, the "pro custom gun oils (pcgo)" .. both the gloss for undercoats and the satin spray, for a top. You sand sand sand... whisker ... and then with 400grit (my choice, you can go higher or lower) with a 50/50 PCGO/mineral spirits solution, sand the whiskers.... then IMMEDIATELY hit it with a soaker coat (same stuff).. might wash away some of the whiskers... but chances are it will be 1/2 dry before you get started

so, sand (mud) coat and soaker..

second soaker...

if the finish is now even, the first finish coat...

sand/wool/rotten stone, and repeat to taste

then a spray coat of the satin.

nice deep finish... harder than my head

jeffe

Jeffeoso,

I am having problems trying to find the pro custom
gun oils. I Googled for Pro Custom and found hundreds of entries but nothing for this type of
product. Where do you buy yours?

Here ya go!

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=273505

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=987956

My first coat of either Pro Custom Oil or Tru-Oil is thinned 50-50 for penetration on the outside and inside of stock. 0000 steel wool then removes all the exterior finish (some finish penetrates...that does NOT get taken off)The next coat is not thinned and goes on THICK. When it gets tacky, I SMEAR with my hand and this fills most of the pores. 0000 steel wool removes all the exterior finish again. Another thick coat and smear and the pores are all filled by now. 0000 again and then finish coats to desired finish.

Jeffeoso,

Thanks, I should have looked in the common places
first. I'll give it a try.