Hiding Oak Grain
Want to hide that ugly oak grain? You can do what I did for my most recent project. I took a tile that I found at my home center and turned it into a really cool trivet! I was walking through my hardware store and stumbled across some cool tiles. I bought them knowing that I MUST turn them into something. The tiles were too cool not to. I decided that we need a trivet so that’s what I made! Most DIY trivets are a square, trimmed out with wood. They are a nice, clean look, but not what I was going for. I wanted to make my trivet for something larger, like for the main course of a meal. I made it rectangular with handles. That lets someone easily move it around if need be. Or, you can lay a spoon or ladle on it.
To make my trivet, I used tile, MDF, and red oak. I used dowel joinery to construct the whole project. I personally do not like the look for red oak or its grain. It’s too grainy for me. I used oak because I have a TON of it and it’s really cheap in my area compared to other hardwoods. To make that oaky oak look less oaky, I filled the grain using a slurry I mixed from water-based wood filler and water. The watered-down wood filler allows the filler to drip down into the pores and deep grain pockets of the wood. Since it’s water-based, it dries pretty fast. I sanded the trivet to 180 grit, just leaving the filler that was embedded into the grain.
I wanted to make my trivet black so it coordinates with the tile. I sprayed two coats of sanding sealer over the trivet, sanding with 400 grit between coats. I then sprayed the trivet with General Finishes black poly. It sprays like a dream! All I had to do was add a little hot glue, drop in the tile, and I had myself a stylish DIY trivet!
•• About NewtonMakes••
I’m Billy and I make fun things. Sometimes, it’s something I need like tool storage ideas. Other times it’s silly or nerdy stuff that I want to build. If you want to get ideas for making stuff, or just want to watch something entertaining then make sure you subscribe.
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Here’s a list of tools and materials that I used to make this project. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
•• Tools & Materials ••
My Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/newtonmakes
Table Saw: https://amzn.to/2RwQTJa
Planer: https://amzn.to/38LarPW
Makita drill: https://amzn.to/2U6DJnP
Dowel jig: https://amzn.to/3jCWgDX
Push Block: https://amzn.to/3IBPOrT
Forrest Woodworker II Saw Blade: https://amzn.to/3kezMHf
Titebond Wood Glue: https://amzn.to/2tU6B8d
Random Orbit Sander https://amzn.to/2RxjkXo
120 grit sandpaper: https://amzn.to/2QW835c
180 grit sandpaper: https://amzn.to/39y5kVM
General Finishes Black Poly: https://amzn.to/3upIGK7
General Finishes Sanding Sealer: https://amzn.to/3Kn1D5T
