Pitted finish

[Dean Center]

I recently finished a piece of apple that surprised me by having some rot which really only showed up during finishing. Before I applited the finish, it looked like an interesting mottled area, but after applying tung oil, I now havea bunch of little pits on the surface. I could just leave it and call it 'antiqued' but I'd like the option of a smooth surface. Any thoughts on how I can achieve one? (Need to know by Friday)
Thanks

 

[MichaelMouse]

What finish did you apply? The pitting may fill with additional coats, or you may help it along by using a slurry of finish and sanding dust if it's a varnish of some sort.

Shellac in high concentration fills pits quickly, and will accept other mechanically bonding overcoats.

 

[Steve Worcester]

Sounds like the pitted surface could be two things

tear out that leaves little valleys and you can sand off and apply more coats until level

a bit of orange peal if the finish didn't flow well to level and you can sand and apply more coats

 

[KellyDunn]

Dean, take sanding dust and fill the holes then apply thin ca glue. Sand flush. No more pitts.