<HTML>In a message dated 6/6/2002 6:28:26 AM Pacific Standard Time, gnewell@ameritech.net writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Subj:Re: Water-Base Lacquer Date:6/6/2002 6:28:26 AM Pacific Standard Time From:<A HREF="mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net">gnewell@ameritech.net</A> Reply-to:<A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> To:<A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> Sent from the Internet         Gregg</BLOCKQUOTE>        As you've discovered as well as I mixing stain in grain filler and appling directly to the wood is the fastest way I lnow to get a muddy finish that I know of. I've been reading all these post and gathering info. in an attempt to invision swithing from solvent base to water base. My biggest concern is clarity of the finish (wood of course)    Our typical wood finish I'm striving for as much clarity as possible.   A couple of steps in my current process that allows this I hope are duplicatable with water base.   1.  Strip sand patch    2. Yes I use primarily a water dye because water dyes are extremely color fast. I personally don't find the small amount of grain raising is an issue in my procedure. I stain on the bare wood as does everyone. Let dry.  I then spray on two thin coats of gloss lacquer to seal in the stain. This fills the pores as well.   3.I then apply the darkest grain filler I can get or make with burlap. Sometimes applying twice if the grain is deep. I want to wipe off any undue residue. 4. the grain filler dries overnight for hardness then lightly sand off any haze being careful not to sand through to the color. 5. Once this is accomplished building up of sealer till it can be block sanded flat. My goal is to leave no more sealer than needed and still have a very flat and filled surface. 6 Apply 2 to 4 top coats gloss lacquer. Let cure and sand flat with 600 paper. Then rub with steel wool and other stuff to get the desired sheen.   This has always produced a very clear finish for our clients and I'm hoping that a similar procedure is applicable to the water base products.Does any body have a similar process with water base and if so would the clarity of the finished process be described as translucent. My goal is to be able to loof right through the lacquer coats and see the wood grain in all its vibrany >>>Dale Erwin>> <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"> Ever so cool!!! These are good tips! I was told once upon a time to add the stain or dye to the filler (water based paste) and I'm not greatly pleased with how it comes out. A mist coat of sealer might help it not get too blotchy. The sealer I used also seemed to come out of the pores when I lightly sand. It there something I can do to prevent all that reapplying? Very glad to hear of your upcoming articles!!! Greg </BLOCKQUOTE> </HTML>