1st timer building an ESB-4

[PeterSik]

well.. the 1st coat of ink is on the back n sides of the body...
1st job tape off the binding..



next up ink the sides..




and then the backside..




the back turned out a bit splotchy.. and the ink didn't take well at some points near the edge.. but since i was planning a burst that doesn't bother me much..

[Kick]

Do I see some glue spots at the bottom near the binding?

[PeterSik]

I think your eyes see things correctly.. those spots didn't show up when i tested with white spirits though (or i was doing something wrong)

anyways.. i was planning a black burst round the edges.. so it'll be pretty easy to hide those spots i think.

[PeterSik]

Right.. did a bit of sanding on the back... i think this looks excellent (except for the glue spots)

dry:


moistened

[PeterSik]

1st coat of in just went on the top and neck.. couple of gluespots on the edge again but like the back that'll be painted over with a burst so no probs..

the flame pops very nicely already

[fender3x]

Really beautiful job. It'll look great with the burst, and that's s smart way of dealing with any imperfections around the edges.

This is no mean feat. I am on my third imperfect finish on a similar project and so am doubly impressed by what you've done right out of the box!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

[Kick]

Glue wont take stain. Not even black stain so you have to think of something else to deal with that. I had the same problem with my build and the only thing that helped was to cover to gluespots with 100% black stampink. Not wiped on but actually dripped on. I let that cure for some days and only then the gluespots were invisible. Not if you would, really take a closer look of course but since I'm working on coating the body wit TO I can finnaly say that the spots are gone.

[PeterSik]

the simple solution to the glue question would be paint.. that will stick to it.. just need to colourmatch it to the black i can get with the stain.. sure it's not the most ideal solution but i think i can pull it off wthout anyone able to spot it.. especially since it's all going to get covered by a gloss laquer anyway

[Simon Barden]

Yes. I'd try and find a suitable dark tinted lacquer rather than a solid colour. I know you can get them in nitrocellulose, they might be harder to find in a polyurethane or acrylic spray. Whatever you use, the clear gloss lacquer needs to be compatible (and I'd always use the same type of paint if possible).

If you are going to do a burst, then I'd use a spray can. Always hold the spray can over the guitar and spray from the middle to the edge. Don't start at the edge and spray inwards. Aim to just miss the edge with the centre of the spray so that the burst effect is created by the edge of the spray. It may be tinted clear lacquer but with a few coats on, it will become almost opaque and hide anything underneath.

I'd certainly tape off the binding when doing this. You can scrape the finish off with a sharp blade, but it takes a bit of practice to get it right and it needs to be done within a day of the last spray otherwise the lacquer hardens too much.

[PeterSik]

that sounds like a really god idea Simon..

meanwhile i just put on the 1st bit of colour.. it turned out a bit lighter than i aimed for but i still love it.. will have to wait to see what it turns into when dry but here's a pic of the colour freshly applied..



the lighting is a bit off in the pic.. irl it looks a lot better