How to disguise filler in benchtop?

[Katsgap]

Is it normal for these wood panels to have yellow filler in them? Not noticeable until we oiled them. They are the Merbau wood and the filler seems the wrong colour. Really obvious.

[EricL]

Hello @Katsgap 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your benchtop.

Timber being a natural product, it is unavoidable that you will get knots and dips in the timber production process. The only way around this is for the manufacturer to use generic fillers and yes, I agree that it is sometimes not ideal. Especially if you are staining your benchtop a dark colour. Is it still possible for you to turn the benchtop upside-down where hopefully it is a better side with no fillers. The only other suggestion I can make is to add more coats to the filler so that it will be darker and not be so obvious.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendation.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @Katsgap 

It's hard to know exactly the concern without a photo or two. But my own laundry/butlers pantry and one of my kitchen benchtops are spotted gum And they have quite a few dips etc due to knots and being a natural timber product. I have filled my deeper ones with a transparent epoxy resin so it feels smooth to run your hand across and to make them easier to clean. Then I apply a food safe oil over the entire tops twice a year after a light sand.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @Katsgap 

When I had my timber benchtop for my laundry I actually bought it as a "damaged" one as it had what you are describing I think. It worked well for me as I flipped the bench upside down and also cut out a section. Is there a chance for a photo of your timber? I do like @EricL 's suggestion to go over the "colour" a few extra times to darken it. And Would actually love to try @Nailbag's solution

As you have oiled it already I really would be tempte dto oil over that spot again. If you decide to fill it with any product you will have to sand the area first and then feather in the oil again. Or sand the whole bench mmmmm If you have a photo w emay come up with some other solutions.

Dave