HT cabs: dye or stain?

[jimbo7]

I've hit a wall with my HT build. I need to figure out what type of black finish to apply. I like the look of black speakers that show the wood grain if you look closely, but my woodworking skills are more the Duratex finish style. Currently I'm trying to fill the gaps and sand smooth the 9 driver baffle of a curved SLA. I'll admit I went a little over-board on the Durham's water putty. Sanding all the angles has been a real pain. Because of this, I'm afraid that any stain or dye will make the wood filler look obvious. Since this will literally be front and center of my HT, I want it to look good. I'll be ok with having to do a light texture of Duratex if need be. Any finishing advice?

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Anything that's at all opaque will show the wood filler. Do a piano black finish, layers of spray urethane or clear coat over a flat black base, rubbed out and polished.

[jimbo7]

Anything that's at all opaque will show the wood filler. Do a piano black finish, layers of spray urethane or clear coat over a flat black base, rubbed out and polished.

Thanks Bill, but that sounds like a lot of work for me. Maybe if there weren't 9 small baffle to deal with I'd try it. I was able to sand most of the baffle filler down to sharp corner again (looked like I ran a bead of shower caulk down it). I'm ok with lightly textured Duratex finish. The center will be be under a tv and sitting on the fireplace hearth.

[Keryn O'Shea]

Could you stain the outer, flat black the woofer baffles, and fit a black cloth grille..? Or do you still want to show the features of the curved array?
Edit- Possibly stain the outer, and Duratex the woofer baffles?

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I like that idea.

[jimbo7]

Could you stain the outer, flat black the woofer baffles....

I like that idea. When I Duratex, I put a few layers of flat black on first for easier coverage. I could always Duratex over the flat black if I don't like the results.
(this was supposed to be a winter project )