Hello and suggestions please

Hello Everyone,

New to this though I've done a fair bit of home handywork woodwork before so I figure as long as I take my time and plan ahead I'll get what I'm after. So with that in mind, I thought I'd ask for suggestions as to the correct order to do things in. I'm building the STF-1 and my intent is to have the body as a blue stain so the grain is still visible but cut (Routed) into the body above the pickguard will be the infinity symbol which I plan on then filling with epoxy resin that has glow in the dark powder in it.

My query relates to the order. I'm thinking stain - route - fill - smooth - restain - sand - polycoat and then sand progressively to a high gloss.

Your thoughts and thanks in advance.

Warren

Welcome to the forum Warren. I think I would start with the routing but that is just my thoughts.

Welcome Warren, I tend to agree with Kick that I'd get the routing done first. I'm assuming you don't mind the stain in the routed area as the epoxy fill will cover it?

Hi Warren, welcome to the forum. I always do my routing before any sanding in case I mark the body. Then sand, stain, fill the symbol and gloss coats.

Hi and welcome.

I agree with routing first, especially if (like most of us here) you're not an expert at fine routing and inlay. It's obviously a stage that has the ability to go wrong (though I hope it doesn't) and you always need to be prepared to be flexible with your build plans.

Test your epoxy fill on a piece of scrap first. You'll need to mound it somewhat as it will contract as it hardens, then sand it flat/level. Once it has hardened and been sanded you see if it takes on any stain.

Ideally, you'll want to rout, fill, sand/level, sand again, and then stain.

And, welcome.

That's right, Chuck. It doesn't matter if any stain gets in the routed area.

Thanks everyone. Good advice. It will be interesting times I'm sure