Soak-in and strike through on the exposed end grain portions of low density or porous wood substrates including alder, birch, pine, poplar, and soft maple are reduced by applying to the end grain a solvent-borne coating composition containing an (i) alkyd resin having a hydroxyl number less than about 150, (ii) acid catalyst and (iii) cross linker. The resin desirably has a number average molecular weight greater than about 2000, and may have a Gardner coloration less than about 3 or may be a short oil alkyd based on coconut oil. By using a reduced hydroxyl number alkyd resin, a reduced cross linker amount may be employed, thereby reducing formaldehyde evolution in compositions made with methylated amino resin cross linkers such as methylated melamine resins.