Tele with Bigsby style bridge build

[Chrisp250]

Hi all,
I went back to my guitar and found that the Dingotone stain on the neck is not very smooth (see photo)
Should I worry? I used 0000 steel wool to smooth it a bit but I'm not sure how smooth it should be before I apply the first clear coat.
Also should I let it cure completely before applying the final coat?
Thanks everyone for your help.

[wokkaboy]

Chris how long since the last stain or intensifying coat ?

I usually give it a light sand with about 400 or 600 grit paper to remove the lumps and apply the next coat.

Allow at least 3-4 days after an intensifying coat to cure

[Chrisp250]

Chris how long since the last stain or intensifying coat ?

I usually give it a light sand with about 400 or 600 grit paper to remove the lumps and apply the next coat.

Allow at least 3-4 days after an intensifying coat to cure

Last coat was about week and a half.
Since this is the neck, I wasn't planning on using intensifier.

Thanks for your help.
Christian

[Andy40]

Chrisp, I don't use steel wool on DT. I also do not go heavier than 600 grit when smoothing, otherwise you'll rip into the colour, and my preferred grit is 1500.

I always wet sand in one direction between each coat of DT to smooth out bumps etc. The final coat is thin so if you dont fix it now it will compound to be a large bump later.

Up to you if you use intensifier, I prefer it as it really brings the colour to life.

Good luck

[Chrisp250]

Thanks Andy.
I went over it with 600 and it's much better now. The stain came off a bit, but I gave it another coat, very thin this time, and it looks a lot better. After doing the basswood body, I think I got carried with the stain on the neck. Because maple is so dense, if you don't go very light on it, the coat will just sit on top of the wood and become lumpy.
Christian