Love the new mantel. I bought an unfinished one. Was dismayed to find a few obviously factory distressed marks on the surface of the wood ...not enough to make it look like it was supposed  to be distressed just random dings. I actually didn't think I ordered  a distressed  mantel. 
All that said, I filled in the dings with wood filler. Used the pink cap from Home Depot, and then sanded after it was dry. After 2 coats of Kilz, and two coats of satin finish paint with primer....it came out beautifully!