Marcel's RCM-4F (PBG build #3)

Can easily see what you are suggesting Sonic but I'm not seeking that look for this build. I have a Tele build (pictured) on the re-works bench with that look in mind but with real denim and Pearl binding and guard.

On this RCM-4F I'm happy with the central fade between the PU's. What annoys me is the blotchy look of the horn and beside the bridge.

When I applied the polly I started in the light area in the centre and worked outwards. Things started going wrong when I noticed what streaks had happened on the horn, which distracted me from the bigger disaster happening beside the bridge... Less than a minute later in the 28C warmth and 40% RH it was all too late and the Polly had begun to set with all the colour in the new displaced locations....

Yeah fair enough - just did it for fun. Tele looks interesting, definitely more in line with the denim theme.

That Tele !!!!! Ughhhhh!

It was supposed to be a stained deep Blue. Sanding sealer on the Alder body put an end to that. Friends suggested it had a denim look so I went with that as the photo's show, but I wasn't happy... looks half arsed cheap and shoddy. Going with a real (soft to touch) light coloured denim veneer front and back with double Pearl binding and guard, reversed control plate, a rails bridge PU and a slim skunk stripe Kmise neck with Rosewood fretboard.

Had a quick play with my dyes and some Minwax Polly... Even though I didn't use the right wood as a base the result looks promising...

Right side is the water based dye with a coating of clear Minwax polly over the top as is usual practice.
Centre is some Minwax polly with the dye mixed in. Basicaly is one application of the coloured Minwax, plus a little rubbing around the sides to see what happens.
Ignore the Left side as it is an different test for a different project.

The rag better represents the real colour of the coloured Minwax.

good one Marcel, so are you going to try this method on the veneer ?

I'll do some more experimenting first, but that is the intention Wokka.

What drying time have you allowed for the dye before applying the water-based MinWax? I've only ever used the old-based MinWax Poly, so I'm interested. I've got a bottle of the water-based stashed somewhere.

Plenty WB...

On the test piece the Right hand side was done almost a week ago, and upon close inspection you can see that the water based Minwax re-animated the dye and took some of it off. The Right side test piece was wiped even by going Left to Right, and it can be seen that it goes from lighter to darker on that test.

I deliberately did a little extra over the clean wood just to show the Minwax alone...

The middle test was done this morning.

On a couple of builds where water based inks were used I actually brushed on the 1st & 2nd coats of finish (Tru Oil) as I was afraid a wipe on rag method would drag the stain all over the place which is what may have occurred in this instance.

The colour on test sample rag looked pretty close to what you have on the body and in theory it should help to cover over some of the lighter patches.

That's more like it.!!!

80% of the way there.... a little more sanding to go to even things up a little better ....