[Ron Ramirez]

Right. Especially oil-based grain fillers (which I use). The oils in the filler will stain the wood unless you seal the wood first. I like to use two coats of sanding sealer, sand very lightly with fine sandpaper (600-800 grit), then grain fill, sand lightly again, more grain fill as/if needed, light sand, then toner coats.

Toning lacquer will give a uniform color which you can never achieve with stains. Certain cheap "white woods" will not take stain well, if at all. Toning lacquer eliminates this problem.

And, besides, toning lacquer just looks better...and is what the factories used originally.