Hi

A little update on the process.

Since I can't work with the project at home, I'm taking it to work. At this point I have to reveal that I work 24 hour shifts as a paramedic in the fire department. This gives me the opporrunity to work on this when there is not an emergency to run to.

So - more sanding... Sanded the sides on the body. This time again with 240 grit paper. Took about 4 hours to get a scratch free and almost baby butt-like surface. Wiped the surface with a wet cloth and afterwards found some small areas that still need a little work. Only a few minutes work though. Learned the lesson on what water even on small amounts does to the grain.

Now that I got so good results sanding the sides really smooth on 240 grit, I'm starting to wonder if I could get same kind of results on the rest of the body? Would I still need the grain filler? I went to two big hardware stores today to consult the personnel on grain fillers with stains etc - result was that I can't use the available products with stains (for sure). All I got was " it should work" or " I don't know"

So my options are to sand, stain and TO or order the timbermate and wait 4-6 weeks. Or use laquer instead of TO.

Have to think this through...