Two coats of mahogany.
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Two coats of mahogany.
Is this a new body or did you steam it apart and sand it all back?
No, same old body. I hadn’t made a mess of that... yet. The neck had never been attached so I can continue with the body until the replacement neck arrives. Looking forward to getting some PU on top. Onwards and upwards.
I was scraping binding last night (The masking had done it’s job well) when I noticed the tide line? On the middle side of the right f hole. So I re-masked the binding, wiped the face with metho and re-stained this morning before work. Looks much more even. However, a lot more stain got onto the binding this time. The price I pay for not getting it right the first time.
Just call it 'vintage' and embrace it. ;)
Not sure there's much that can be done about that really. Is it an oil or a water-based stain?
P.S. Glad it's not a whole new kit needed! :)
No Drew, I’m a patient man with a blade and a steady hand. It will be coming off. I think it’s oil based? Cleans up with methylated spirits.
Oil-based stains can penetrate into the tiny cracks in the binding more easily. But if it's cleaning up ok then I guess that's the job in hand. :)
I did a little experiment this time before I stained. I used a cotton bud to give the binding a coat of wipe on poly before I finished sanding. Apart from one little slip around an f hole I was able to keep it of the wood. I’ve still got stain in some larger binding cracks, but it doesn’t seem to of bleed into the smaller hairline cracks like I’ve seen before. Then again the binding might just be in better condition and I’m just kidding myself.
I'd claim the victory! :)
Seriously though, that's a really good idea.
After several hours the scraping is done.
First coat of poly on. I thought it would lighten up a little more but it is a cloudy day and the colour is nice.
That's going to look lovely I reckon. Nice ruby tones to it. :)
Thanks Drew, it looks the colour of wine.
After two coats of poly the stain is sealed in. A little bit of colour dragged over the purfling so I’ve given it one last scrape. Only poly coat/wet sanding record keeping from now on for a while.
And out came the sun. I just wanted to share this moment.
Oh that is sweet!
Agree, looking good.
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DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA— wait for it-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-NG!
Fantastic how that’s coming up DM!
12 coats and a very light 1500 wet sand.
Hey DarkMark - I am just about to start staining the front of my ESB4 and I am worried about the binding/purfling around the f holes and face of the guitar body. Can you please elaborate on the tape youve used in the pic and any other advice? I used blue painters tape when doing the back and the sides and apart from a little bit of bleeding, it has come out well.Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkMark
Love the finish and the build so far. Congrats on the subterfuge but its always just a matter of time until wives uncover new purchases
Hi Thess, thanks for the compliment. As you said, it was only a matter of time before my wife found out. Luckily I live under a benevolent dictator.Quote:
Originally Posted by thess
Forum members put me onto 6mm automotive tape on a previous build. I had trouble finding it locally and ended up buying it from eBay. It also comes in different widths. It’s not perfect but does the majority of the work. Stain will find its way into cracks, especially around tight bends. I use a scalpel blade to scrape the binding from that point on.
Tips;
I found I should of waited a couple of days after removing the tape so the tape glue/stain residue is thoroughly dry so you don’t pick it up on your gloved hands and place them back down on your guitar.
Where gloves when scraping.
Don’t try to do it all at once. It’s hours of fun, but after about two hours of scraping I find I am more at risk of a little slip onto the wood.
As I mentioned in my diary the clear coats will drag a bit of colour over the purfling. It’s only subtle, up to you if you want to do anything about that. I did, more hours of fun.
Take your time, don’t rush.
I read all the diaries so I’ll see how you get on. Good luck!
16 coats and a proper 1200 wet sand.
16 coats...nice. No chance of sanding through that....
ooooo you've put that out in the universe now.....:eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by aido78
aido, I think you underestimate my ability. Having said that I haven’t sanded through the poly yet, except a spot next to a drip I was giving some extra attention with the 1200 paper (why didn’t I mask around it?). A little touch up was required which I’ll only ever know is there.
23 coats on the body and a good 1500 wet sand today.
28 coats, 1500 wet sand.
33 coats, 2000 wet sand.
36 coats, a light 2000 wet sand. Getting close to stopping.
40 coats, a good 2000 wet sand and I think it’s pretty flat. I’ll see how it looks when I put the next coat on because the glossy sheen will reveal any floors and if all is good-a couple of thin layers to polish off and it’s done.
45 coats and I think it’s time to stop. Now, waiting on my August/September neck.
Mark, you're really going for it aren't you, keen to see the result!
How much times between coats and do you always lightly sand back before the next?
Hi RocknRolf. For about the last ten coats I felt like the poly was thicker than when I started (evaporating solvent?) so I added a good tip of mineral turpentine to the tin which helped me apply nice thin layers.Quote:
Originally Posted by RocknRolf
My technique is to lay the guitar flat, do the face, lightly do the sides to remove any runs and let it sit for about an hour before hanging. After about six hours (or the next day-the weather has been cold in Perth) I do the back and lightly do the side again.
I’ve only wet sanded where I have documented it in my diary.
This is by no means a definitive method, but it works for me. Other people will undoubtedly have variations on the above...and they will be just as correct.
I’m sure you’ll find your own method. I find if I apply too many coats without sanding it gets ridges and drips. If I sand too soon or too often I hit wood. It’s a balancing act for me.
Good luck!
Thank you,
Balancing act, right, got ya.
I'll see how I go!
Ok tailpiece, it’s you and me! (Palms get sweaty, eye starts to twitch).
I made so many ‘learning experiences’ last time I tried to make a tailpiece that I think I’ve exhausted all possible ‘learning experiences’.
Finally got my foot in a photo.
Looks like we share the same level of OH&S.Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkMark
cheers, Mark.
The wood worm at your place must be MASSIVE judging by that. Nice to see the Samoan safety footwear in operation.Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkMark
Safety first. As I’m sure FW knows I am using the drill press to mark the thickness I am planing down to.
Shape roughly cut. So far so good.
Something like this...with some Japan Brown.