12 string Suzuki refinish update and neck advice sought

[donnyb]

Hi again,
I said I would update my previous thread regarding re-finishing a circa 1970, Suzuki 12 string body top. I scraped the top back to bare spruce, very carefully as the top was indeed ply construction.
Here is a photo of the final result, which turned out ok. I sealed the top with Wattyl Rediseal sanding sealer and applied Wattyl Stylwood satin lacquer finish, stained with a mix of colours in the yellow and red spectrum.

I am seeking advice now on the re-finishing of the back of the neck. Photos here show the sanding progress down to an original white grain filler in a lot of places, and a final sanding photo showing the neck back to bare wood.

I think the wood is mahogany, but not sure. A photo of the back of the neck before sanding back is below.

Id prefer to use the same sanding sealer and stained Wattyl Stylwood top coats, except this time. high gloss Stylwood. Stylwood is a pre-cat nitrocellulose lacquer.

However, the neck was not filled with grain filler for nothing, and in a couple of places along the grain, I think I need to apply some. But, the data sheet for stylwood warns not to apply it over a stearate grain filler.

I have not used grain filler much at all in the past, so asking advice here whether to use a grain filler, like Timbermate natural or white, or I just keep applying and sanding back the Rediseal sanding sealer between coats until the neck wood surface is filled smooth ? Bearing in mind that Stylwood doesn't like a stearate grain filler.

I would appreciate any advice for this. Thankyou.



https://i.imgur.com/Ir0neN2b.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/KFS0UkI.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hEvhUZE.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YQp193X.jpg

[donnyb]

And the photo of the neck now, sanded back to bare wood.

[donnyb]

I have moved the photos to my first post.