grain filling question

I have a lp jr. double cut mahogany kit that I am starting to finish. I have sanded down to 400 and I am getting ready to start grain filling. Now, should I use vinyl sealer then grain fill, or grain fill then use vinyl sealer? I have seen it done both ways, but would like to know what you guys think?
Also, should I wipe the body with a damp cloth to lift the pores, or should I use naptha or denatured alcohol?
I would appreciate any help and tips you guys could share.
Thanks so much

Ps.. I am going to finish in TV yellow.

Firstly, wipe the body down with a damp rag to lift the end grain then sand and repeat.
Personally, I like to grain fill first using Timbermate watered down slightly and applied with a rubber scraper.
Then sand back and check it and if the pores are nicely filled attack it with the undercoat/ sealer.
Always allow at least a week between coats, regardless of what the instructions on the paint label says :)

So I've never used grain filler before.

I got some Behlen Mahogany grain filler and wanted to do a test.

Not having any spare mahogany, I used a bit of pine plank.
Attachment 4626

After some sanding, applied the grain filler as per the instructions on the tin.

Attachment 4625

Lumped on and spread with a rubber edge spreader diagonally to the grain.

Left to dry for a week (not intentionally that long), then sanded it back.

Attachment 4627

The grain filler sanded off into a fine powder much easier than I though it would as it seemed to have dried quite hard.

So...

Is this what it should look like?

Looks good to me.
As long as you cant see any holes, valleys or bomb craters I would say it was a success :)

looks good.
A test my Dad taught me for checking smoothness (this was for painting cars): Shut your eyes and run your hands over it. If it feels smooth , it is.
If you can feel an irregularity, you will see it when you paint it.

And if it's still not smooth, repeat the grain filler?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tindrrel

And if it's still not smooth, repeat the grain filler?

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yeah, but be realistic too, and the paint will fill a little too