Need help oiling on filler (pic)

[hks426]

Dear all,
Im new to the forum and Im a hobbie woodworker, Im making a coffee table with a Brazilian pepper tree slab. I fill all holes with Polyfilla, the colour of the filler is lighter than the wood. I thought that the filla will be darken when I oil it (Im using boiled linseed oil), so I try to oil the table leg (2nd pic), the result is very obvious and the filler still appear to be lighter than the wood itself. I haven't oil the table top yet, what can I do to make the finish look natrual without seeing the filler?

Appreciate your help.

[ubeaut]

Try a water based stain on the filler but it is one hell of a lot of filler and it will never look like it is timber unless you are an expert at timber forgery and that would require the skills of an artist.

For future reference try using a filler that matches the wet colour of the timber.

Cheers - Neil

PS you will need to sand the filler back now as the oil will prevent the stain from taking.

[BobL]

HKS426, That's a lovely bit of timber you have but it's pity you didn't contact us before using the polyfilla as it will be very hard to match the filla to the timber colours and surface. I would seriously consider trying to removing the polyfilla and starting again. How hard is the timber? Maybe a high pressure water gun can remove the filla and then you can resand the timber (it looks like you have a lot of timber to play with)

As to what to fill the gaps with I would go for either straight casting resin or a mixture of sawdust (from sanding the timber) and casting resin. Either way you really need to experiment on a scraps of the same timber until you are satisfied with the result before you tackle your pride and joy. If you decide to go with staining as per Ubeauts advice I would also try that on a scraps as well.

[arose62]

That looks like stunning timber!! And it would be a shame to use it to highlight Polyfilla

My guess is that you'll be taking a few mm off the top, and using one of the above suggestions. Certainly looks to be enough timber that you can lose some without spoiling the table's proportions.

Would love to see the final pics!

Cheers,
Andrew

[hks426]

Thanks alot guys.
I do not have alot of tools around so I'll try the first method.

Will let you guys know the result
Cheers
Kenneth