Zandit's First Build Thread

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Originally Posted by Zandit75

Ok, first things first, Thanks again for the assistance guys, the damp cloth worked a treat!
I'll let it dry properly overnight, and give it one more wipe over tomorrow, but the majority of the timbermate has gone.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...psbtoujhph.jpg

I sanded back everything else to 240grit, and I'm really happy with how it is all going so far.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...psbcmucvxc.jpg

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps81whtmbo.jpg

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...pscsdgatxs.jpg

I should have some nice figuring on the back looking at how this is going so far.
I'll go to 320, or maybe 400, and then go with the black stain.

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Good save Zandit.

Hi Zandit, initially best to sand in the direction of the end grain to get rid of the machine marks from the factory starting at 120 and work through to 180 and maybe 240. Once it all looks smooth you should be able to sand in the direction of the edges and this will bring it all together.

Be careful not to get to smooth and shiny as stain colour may not want to penetrate. On my builds I usually stopped at 240 as you can smooth it out further with wet & dry papers once the top coats have gone down.

Thanks Waz, Sounds like a plan.
I've been crook with the man-flu this last week so I haven't ventured out into the shed for a couple of nights.
I'll have a good crack over the weekend.

Ahhh, the dreaded man flu. Had a slight dose (head cold) weekend before last and still trying to shake it so best to rug up and look after your self as no doubt it is near freezing down in your part of the world.

Yeah, it's not the warmest part of the nation at the moment, but we have ha clear weather so far. The rest of this week is supposed to be pretty rough, so that might encourage me to stay in bed an recover properly!

Given the back of the body and neck their first coat of black stain.
Will give it a couple of hours, and then apply and second coat. WIll leave it for several days and see how it is looking then.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...psurshzh3y.jpg

So, it's looking a little darker now. That first coat looked more brown than black....ish.
I've now had two nights where I have done one coat first, then several hours later applied a second coat. So whether that counts as 2 coats, or 4, I'm not particularly fussed!!
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps5jnqw6g5.jpg

It definitely has a darker tone to it, but there seems to be a bronze undertone to the finish so far.
Luckily, both the body and neck are looking identical. I fitted the neck into the cavity and they look perfectly matched so far.
I'll do another coat tomorrow night which will allow this last coat 4 days to cure.
Should I be sanding between coats at this stage, or should I wait until I apply my clear coat later down the track after I do the front?
More updates to come later.

Coming along well Zandit. Can't hurt to give it a light super fine steel wool rub before the next coat. What type of stain are you using?

Its the British Paints Interior stain that I showed on the first page. I had it left over from building our dining table & benches a few years ago.
I give the steel wool a go tonight. The grain has raised a little from the stain, so this will be good.

Looking good Zandit. I also recommend knocking back between stain coats with a very very light rub of superfine steel wool

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

So nice progress, this is looking really good

Thanks Guys, most appreciated.
I took Ponz's advice and knocked it back with some 0000 steel wool, and applied another coat of stain. I'm not sure if coat #5 was the turning point, but it's looking much darker this morning. Admittedly, that is looking at it in the poor light of my guitar room! I'll have a better look at it over the weekend in natural light and try and get better photos for everyone!

Sounds good zandit. It should get darker each coat you apply. Keep applying till you are happy with the color

Nice work Zandit....must be getting cold down there now!

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Originally Posted by Andy40

Nice work Zandit....must be getting cold down there now!

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I swear Mother Nature hates Tasmania right now.
We had the driest Summer and Autumn, our lake levels were at their lowest ever, and since we rely primarily on Hydro power, we were on the brink of rolling power outages. Our state government thought it would be a good idea to sell all our power to the mainland, but thankfully the Bass Link power cable got damaged. We then get hit with that storm last week, and it seems like the whole state is flooded!
Now we have snow!!!

I forgot to mention Andy40, I've been using your technique for applying the stain. Wiping on a light layer, than going back over it with a clean cloth to remove any excess. It works a treat!!
On to some fresh shots!
This is today in natural light on an overcast day, so hopefully they show things up alright. I had just finished applying the 6th coat of stain, and wiped off the excess as explained above.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...psbzysewp8.jpg

Until this morning, I had not even considered staining the edges of the control cavities. I had placed the covers into the cavities, and I could see raw timber around the edges. So that had to change!
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...pspi9dhlda.jpg

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...psclz01qrk.jpg

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...pslg0jc47t.jpg

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...pspe6oberd.jpg

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps7mc2rxbl.jpg

Unfortunately I have these two little spots that are not taking the stain. It looks like they are red in colour, and may be a wax filler for the timber or something. I'm not overly fussed, they are really only visible when seen close up
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...psp5wmvk8z.jpg

And here is the neck. Excuse the uggies, it's bloody cold today!!!
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...psijmqhfnl.jpg

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...psesb8uv70.jpg

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...psgyg1k6sc.jpg

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps7gksgvuu.jpg

Looking good and I like the colour. On one of the bits that won't take the stain it looks the grain changes a bit, it maybe just a natural feature of the wood

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

Thats nice Zandit. really smooth and even. Great job!

Great news Zandit...sometimes less is more eh? Its really looking great.

Yeah, it's getting there. Still trying to figure out what I'm going to do on the front.
Bright Green is still on the cards, but I'm curious to see what this stain would look like on the front too. With the subtle flame, and the spalting, a light black stain would look awesome!

Damn, had to resurrect this thread from the 3rd page!!
Update - I've ordered the DT clear stain for the front. I also ordered a small bottle of black base stain so I can play with a Moon Burst effect on the front.
I'll see how it goes with some trial on a piece of Laminated pine I have at home.

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Originally Posted by Zandit75

Damn, had to resurrect this thread from the 3rd page!!
Update - I've ordered the DT clear stain for the front. I also ordered a small bottle of black base stain so I can play with a Moon Burst effect on the front.
I'll see how it goes with some trial on a piece of Laminated pine I have at home.

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Moon Burst? I have to say I am not familiar with that one...can you enlighten me? (no pun intended)

Probably the best way to describe it is as a very subtle burst. I've mostly seen it referred to in Acoustic Custom builds. Hopefully I can pull it off.
This possibly the best version I have seen of it.
Attachment 12342

I see, thanks for that. It is very subtle, shall watch on with interest.

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Originally Posted by FrankenWashie

I see, thanks for that. It is very subtle, shall watch on with interest.

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Haha, don't watch too closely, this could turn into a shambles!!!

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Originally Posted by Zandit75

Haha, don't watch too closely, this could turn into a shambles!!!

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Shambles I am familiar with, just see my EXA-1 thread or the FrankenWashie rebuild thread!

That effect could also lend itself to patterns or shapes on or around the periphery of the guitar soundboard or (on electrics) the PUPs and machinery......Hmmmmmm. <sounds of mental machinery grinding>

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Originally Posted by FrankenWashie

Shambles I am familiar with, just see my EXA-1 thread or the FrankenWashie rebuild thread!

That effect could also lend itself to patterns or shapes on or around the periphery of the guitar soundboard or (on electrics) the PUPs and machinery......Hmmmmmm. <sounds of mental machinery grinding>

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Yeah, I've read through those threads. Without sounding mean, I enjoy seeing the issues people have, because normally someone has an easy fix solution available with a quick reply from the community.
That Moon burst effect was obviously done with a spray gun of some description, but I haven't got access to those items, so I'll see what I can come up with when I get the kit.

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Originally Posted by wokkaboy

Hey Zandit. Ponchs Kwakka is from 1980's so a much older model from the TV series Chips haha
Check out his avatar

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See any thread worth its salt will eventually digress into conversation about 2 wheels or 4 wheels! Lol

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Originally Posted by Zandit75

Haha, don't watch too closely, this could turn into a shambles!!!

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Hi mate, just read through your thread, awesome progress and great neck colour. Hey a light golden colour would look good with the ebony neck. Btw great grain pattern on the body top.

Yeah, the spalt is awesome, I really lucked out there.
I think the clear will give it a wet look which will really bring out the spalt and subtle flame.
If it looks a little darker than this pic, then I will be very happy
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...psygsut6aw.jpg

Wow...just wow. You really scored there. Not only is the spalt awesome you have the flame as well!!! I'm only a bit jealous!

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Originally Posted by Andy40

Wow...just wow. You really scored there. Not only is the spalt awesome you have the flame as well!!! I'm only a bit jealous!

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You can see now why I decided to go with the clear finish! I didn't want to hide any of that behind a colour!

Beautiful veneer dude. She's going to look amazing with some clear coats. Once the DT gets into that figure and pops it you'll have chatoyance galore!

cheers,
Gav.

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Originally Posted by gavinturner

Beautiful veneer dude. She's going to look amazing with some clear coats. Once the DT gets into that figure and pops it you'll have chatoyance galore!

cheers,
Gav.

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I certainly hope so!!

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Originally Posted by Zandit75

You can see now why I decided to go with the clear finish! I didn't want to hide any of that behind a colour!

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So might have missed it but what colour did you decide on, natural or a hint of stain?

Going Natural with a very subtle burst, sometimes called a Moonburst.
There's a picture on the last page of an Acoustic with the effect I'm trying to get.
I picked up a very cheap Airbrush kit from Supercheap last night. Hopefully that will be a workable solution.

What an awesome looking veneer, good score. Spalt and flame! I think your natural finishing plans will work well.

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Originally Posted by andrewdosborne

What an awesome looking veneer, good score. Spalt and flame! I think your natural finishing plans will work well.

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Thanks Mate, most appreciated. Really looking forward to getting into the next stage of the build.