Hey Colin,

You want it pretty thick. Not too much water - about 2 to 1 water to Timbermate (or so). You basically want it like thick custard. Dont worry about making up too much slurry as you can pour it back into the Timbermate container when you are done. Put it on like you would paint, and then use a scraper to pull it across the grain to get it right down in there. Personally I leave it 24 hours before sanding, but in Summer it actually dries very quickly. Don't be too worried - it is *very* hard to stuff this step up - after you sand it back check for a smooth surface and if some unfilled grain persists, just repeat until you are happy with the surface and the look.

One thing to watch out for - if you are using a water based finish (like water based dye) you can re-hydrate the Timbermate and drag some of it back out of the grain as you apply the finish. Happens to me all the time!

cheers,
Gav.