Primer mottling, is it getting absorbed into the wood?

Question

I have been having trouble priming some hardwood boards. The primer goes on fine, but after about 15 minutes, it begins to take on a mottled appearance and you can see the wood again. So, either the paint is pooling and migrating into clumps or it is getting absorbed into the wood, not sure which.

The wood is supele and the primer is an finely ground oil based base coat made by Fine Paints of Europe.

What is going here and what should I do if anything to correct the problem?

GMisenar · Answer

Supele has a lot of natural oils in it, similar to some types of Mahogany or even Ipe, making it great for outdoor applications, including decks and even boat building. However, because of the natural oils, it will repel finishes and give the finish you described (a picture might help). Try sanding it smooth, then wiping it off with mineral spirits before attempting to paint again.

This still might not solve your issue and a coat of shellac as recommended by @jbbenni might be necessary to seal it prior to painting.

Primer mottling, is it getting absorbed into the wood?

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