How do you use your Timbermate

[Arron]

OK, I've started using Timbermate as a grain filler - applying it as the first coat in the finishing process, before sanding most of it off. I'm curious how other people use this stuff. I just make it up into a thin slurry with water and rub it on with a rag. How do others use it ?
Are there any tips out there to make the process a bit faster ?

cheers
Arron

[China]

I don't use it, have used will not use it again, in my opinion it is a low quality product

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Never heard of using Timbermate as a grain filler, but then again I usually finish with Oils.

However, I dislike adding any more water to a sanded surface than a basic wipe with a wettish cloth to raise the nap before the final sand.

So I'll be watching this thread with curiosity. :D

[RufflyRustic]

I've used this method very successfully a few times. On thin ply to get an even colour and finish as you can't sand ply that much, on merbau after picking out the yellow silica, on burls with little gaps - red for the myrtle and black for the gum burl.

I apply the timbermate on ply with a bit of water and just straight out of the container for the rest of the timber, just depends on how dry the putty is, and how wide an expanse to be filled, or how deep the hole is, the deeper the hole the less water I'll use as the timbermate will shrink and crack.

cheers
W

[joez]

I have used timbermate as a filler without a problem, the way i do it is:

Add water to bring it to the consistancy of thick cream.

Apply with a paint scraper, flexible scrapers work best. Pushing into the grain, holding the scraper at a low angle forcing the filler into the grain.

Let dry til its returns to its original thickness, then scrap off the excess across the grain to remove most of the filler.

Once fully dried completly sand the surface.


You can mix different colored timbermate fillers to customise the tint. I recently did a mirror where I added some black (concrete coloring) to bring out the grain.


joez

[Sturdee]

Apply with a paint scraper, flexible scrapers work best. Pushing into the grain, holding the scraper at a low angle forcing the filler into the grain.

joez

With Timbermate it's best to use a plastic blade to mix and apply rather than use a metal scraper. The metal scraper, especially old and well used, has an annoying habit of staining the filler darker than it should be.


Peter.

[Arron]

I don't use it, have used will not use it again, in my opinion it is a low quality product

thats interesting. What exactly are the quality issues that you have with it - when using it as a grain filler ?

cheers
Arron

[China]

Always seem to shrink and crack some time down the track ruining a lot of hard work

[Harry72]

If its cracking your putting it on to thick and drying it out too fast, I know what you mean China its happened to me a couple times on wide/deep fillings during our SA summer heat.

[spokeshave]

I've used Timber-Mate as a grain filler and never had a problem yet.
I lightly water it down to the thickness of toothpaste then rub it in with a rag. Any thinner and i find it sands out of the pores and requires re-applying.

I wouldn't use it as a crack filler for the afore-mentioned reasons of cracking later down the track.

Steven.