Paste Wood Filler on Rosette

[Skip Ellis]

I'm getting ready to start a 00 body, slot head, all mahogany guitar for myself (usually build Teles for other people) and will probably use a shellac finish. My question is: how can I keep the dark paste wood filler from coloring the white parts of the rosette - I'll probably just be using a simple b&w 17 style rosette. Maybe I should just forego the filler but Martin used to do it so there must be a way.

[John Arnold]

Seal the wood first.

[charles Tauber]

I use 5 minute clear epoxy to seal the rosette, then scrape clean after fully hardened.

[Bruce Sexauer]

I use CA to seal my rosette, usually, and not until after the sealer is on. But what are you doing putting paste filler on the top? This I do not do.

[Rodger Knox]

I'm presuming you're using the paste filler to fill the pores on a mahogany top. Do that before you route for the rosette. A coat of shellac after the filler is sanded back would be a good idea.

[Skip Ellis]

Originally Posted by Bruce Sexauer

I use CA to seal my rosette, usually, and not until after the sealer is on. But what are you doing putting paste filler on the top? This I do not do.

It's a mahogany top and I'm going for that old dark Martin finish