I just got my djz-4 zebra wood. I want to clearcoat it and I'm wondering what would be the best product to use. any suggestions?
Printable View
I just got my djz-4 zebra wood. I want to clearcoat it and I'm wondering what would be the best product to use. any suggestions?
Someone did a zebra wood with tru oil a while back and it went quiet dark.
I think Tru-oil is worth considering. Have a look for other builds finished with it and see what you think.
Are you staining, or leaving the body as-is? Do you want a gloss, satin, or semi-gloss finish? Answers to those will help with recommendations.
DC
Thank you DC for your recommendation. I am leaving the body as-is and was thinking about a satin finish.
Kimbo
Have a look at this finish then. It is using Cabot's Marine Poly in a satin finish. Comes in a spray can so might be worth considering.
DC
Thank you DC for the great advice I really like the look of this satin finish! I will definitely look into Cabot's Marine Poly satin!
Kimbo
They also have a clear satin poly in non-marine grade: Cabothane Clear Satin Poly. I have a can but haven't used it since I switched to a clear gloss lacquer. You should probably look for the build diary for Sonic's guitar to see how he treated the finish after spraying and curing.
As to the difference between the marine grade and normal, it's likely to do with how water and weather resistant the finish is. Maybe that helps if you are gigging with the bass, maybe not. I don't know.
DC
Marine grade mostly means its resistant to water damage and isn't as potentially porus as a regular poly. It's also UV stabilised, which isn't much of an issue for a guitar, but I like that it's really durable. I'm considering making it my primary finish option as it's pretty straight forward to get a nice finish and way less mucking around than cutting and polishing up a gloss. It also feel really nice in your hands, which I think is important for a guitar. Worth grain filling prior to application with a sanding sealer. I've just been doing an application, blocking back and then doing around another 2 or 3 applications and it comes up pretty well. I think using a sanding sealer will reduce the amount of poly I need to spray though. Will find out on my next build.
That's enough for me. I think I will use my can of Cabothane Satin Poly for all of the next build. Might go with an ash body and clear finish.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonic Mountain
Thank you DC I appreciate all your help!
Kimbo
Thank you for the info Sonic I appreciate all your help. Looking forward to seeing your next build!
Kimbo
You can do truoil in a satin - you rub it in with some wet and dry sandpaper. Can't remember the grit, but it may have been 1200 or so...
https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...ead.php?t=2759
The guitar feel is the nicest of all my builds - so smooth - but it does yellow a little over time - not terribly, but its more a butterscotch colour now.
thank you for the help and info Brendan! beautiful bass by the way!
Kimbo
I can’t find the thread I was thinking of but here is a Pit Bull Zebra Wood Tele body done in Tru Oil.
https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...l=1#post195310
Still a favourite... only downside is I'm not loving the pickup cover, but can't bring myself to take it off. I guess I'll have to make one without (GPB-4B). Also following this to see if anyone has a non yellowing clear.
There is a water based poly that doesn’t go yellow but I have never tried it on a guitar body.
I don't think clear acrylic lacquer yellows over time. At least I hope not since I used it on my blue tele!