Wood grain fillers

[Malcolm Eaton]

Going back many years ago the French Polisher that worked at the establishment that I served my time would have a brew of wood grain fillers handy all ready mixed up in pots in colours to match a range of timbers ie Jarrah, Queensland Maple, Tassi oak etc.
The filler would be made up with as I recall a powder called Whiting, colour pigments and some type of liquid or solvent to carry the filling material. The filler would be wiped in a circular motion with a piece of hessian and then wiped off across the grain with a clean piece of hessian. The piece to be polished would then be left to dry for a period before applying shellac.
My question is what would have been the recipe he would have used to make up the brew?http://www.woodworkforums.com/images/icons/icon5.gif
I look forward to your comments.
Cheers
Malcolm Eaton

[Wizened of Oz]

The mix I used from over 50 years ago was raw linseed oil and whiting mixed to consistency of thick cream, plus terebine as a dryer. Colouring pigment was one of Burnt Umber, Red Oxide, or Yellow Ochre. Accentuates the grain beautifully and, once dry and sanded off, can be coated with just about any desired finish.
Can you readily buy whiting today? Most hardware stores would say "What's that?".
So my recipe today is Tung oil and U-Beaut's talc plus pigment with a little terebine to speed drying. But boiled linseed oil could be used if preferred. Add a little mineral turpentine to get a good consistency.
Sometimes oil is not wanted,for instance on very dark timbers. As Neil says in his "A Polishers Handbook", shellac and talc make a great grain filler/sanding sealer. And this can be tinted with a pigment (needs very little) to enhance the grain. This is a thin mix and is brushed on. Open grain timbers may require 2 coats, but as it's rapid drying the second can follow quickly.

[Woodwould]

Whiting is calcium carbonate and is what the groundsmen mark out footy ovals with these days (to avoid burns from the lime that they used to lay down). Some Bunnies and M10 carry it in 20(?) kg bags. It's not expensive.

Alternatively, you can order some from here (http://www.artmaterials.com.au/index.php?cPath=49_2807_2809&osCsid=e210431cf4899adc6522da762c985254).