blackbutt gum veins

[leecab007]

I do a lot of slab work for bar,kitchen,vanity & cabinet tops etc.
I usually finish the work with 2 pack polly, because it is chemical & abrasion resistant, long lasting & fairly natural looking.
Feature grade blackbutt is popular with many customers they seem to like the black gum veins present.
When lacquering this type of timber, the black lines will never fill level with the surface. It is so very time consuming to fill these with any kind of stopping. I have tried ebony timber-mate, west system epoxy with black oxide, & very recently a water based clear fill product called acquacoat. Has anyone found a method for this particular situation that they are happy with?

[Pittwater Pete]

I use Techniglue two pack epoxy with black oxide. I find it quickest in the long run because it does not sink back when it dries. I use the fast hardener.

[Rod Gilbert]

+1 for epoxy and black oxide as stated by Pittwater Pete.
Regards Rod.

[Arron]

I cant help you with the original question - but I would be very interested in getting hold of some aquacoat clear filler. Can you tell me where you got yours please?

Chees
Arron

[leecab007]

I cant help you with the original question - but I would be very interested in getting hold of some aquacoat clear filler. Can you tell me where you got yours please?

Chees
Arron

g'day Arron,
Acquacoat is a new kid on the block. Its made in the States. If you can imagine a clear hand gel, that's what it looks like. It's a water based spreadable paintable product you would use for fine grain filling before you do your finishing. It is quite fast drying & sets nice & firm. I have a technique or 2 to experiment with before I use it for gum vein filling. You can use it clear or add oxides to it.
I told Brett Greggory about it & if there is enough interest, he might consider bringing it in on a group buy basis.

[leecab007]

I did some experimenting today. I knew that Bunning's turbo bog would work, but I needed to know if I could make it black enough. I added a little blue & yellow oxide to the hardener, mixed that into the resin, then added an amount of black oxide to the mix. It ended up like a blue/black but it filled the gum veins fairly easily in just one application with a putty knife. It dried fast, sanded well & the lacquer liked the surface after sanding. It was a pleasing black fill after sanding & lacquering.
I don't find timber-mate as compatible with 2 pack pollyurethane as polyester or epoxy fillers.

[Christos]

I would have also said Techniglue epoxy to fill the smaller gum veins.

I have also found that using this straight after mixing it does tend to sink a little under the surface if the vein is deep.

[Master Splinter]

Techniglue plus dye stain to get it to a translucent red-black.