Build Diary of my RD kit

[mike1318crue]

Here we go!

As I said before on my welcome post, I received my kit about 1 week ago;
(That was a really fast delivery, only 6 days to cross the planet, since I ordered it!!!! )

My plans on this guitar are to use a cherry red dye, put some transparent Acrylic Laquer with silver glitter, and apply some tung oil for the finish.

I first did a mock build; The first thing I noticed when I opened the box, was a minor scratch on the Headstock, still big enough for me.
The rest of the build was pretty much OK, just the holes to fix the neck that aren't really square, and I had to take off a bolt to fix the switch.

The next day I started to sand the guitar, and it turns out that I almost fix the scratch on the headstock. you can still see it a little, but not feel it when your touching. That makes me pretty confident.

Couple days after, I started with the dye. I mixed it with warm water and apply on both sides, starting with the front, let dry for about 1 hour, and did the back the same way.

Next day, I sand using 400 sanding paper, apply another dye layer on the front, and let dry an entire day.
Today I did the second dye layer on the back, and I can't wait for tomorrow to see if I need to sand a little , or some more, and apply the red dye one more time.


Picture of the mock build :

[mike1318crue]

1st day sanding

[mike1318crue]

Applying Rit Dye

[mike1318crue]

Then sand once again





A strange little thing happened:


Back

[mike1318crue]

Second layer on front :





next day when it's dry :







I think I need to sand a little

[mike1318crue]

And second layer in the back :






I'm sure gonna have some sanding time tomorrow!!!

Does anyone already use this type of dye on a guitar?
if yes, how many times did you had to apply it before you were satisfied?

Waiting for your thoughs and advices,

Cheers,

Mike.

[Sonic Mountain]

This is going to be a cool one. I didn't even know there was an RD kit in the line up. I don't have any advice the dye, although the inclusion of glitter will be interesting, I very nearly did that on my JMA. Unfortunately the nicks, scratches and dings as well as the miss drilled holes seem pretty common. But I guess if it was easy then it wouldn't be any fun

Whats the Dr Feelgood box thing its resting on? That was the first cassette single I ever bought.

[king casey]

Does anyone already use this type of dye on a guitar?

G'day Mike. I recently scored an el-cheapo Epi Jnr. off Gumtree.
(noticed that the LP jnr. went quietly AWOL from the Pit Bull menu.)

It was the yellow/black sunburst and I stripped it off in order to get a red stain effect.
Initially I tried a bottle of red stamp pad ink from Officeworks.
Thought it was a winner until I applied the first coat of Tru-Oil.

Plan B was to use a waterproof india ink from http://riotstores.com.au/

This worked well. The red wasn't as warm initially but after 20 coats of Tru-Oil's 'yellowing' it came up great.


cheers, Mark.

[Simon Barden]

I presume that it's a water-based dye that you are using? Water makes the wood grain swell up so any loose wood fibres start to stick up and the surface will always need some sanding down afterwards. If you've got a small scratch in the surface - like you have near the post hole, then the expanding wood grain will push the ends up and make it more obvious.

Otherwise if you've read some of the other build diaries here, you'll know that a wood surface doesn't like to be sanded with too fine a grit sandpaper otherwise there can be issues getting the dye to take evenly.

I would just keep applying the dye until you are happy with the colour.

[mike1318crue]

Right Sonic Mountain, it can't be too easy!!


The box is a 20th anniversary limited edition with a t-shirt, beanie and buttons inside.
i just love collecting things from this band. just receive their 1st record on the original label, Leathür records; So good to hear these classics as they were originaly recorded!!!