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Hi everyone,
I am working on an STA1M kit (Ash Stratocaster) and I am unsure how to go about filling the grain. I am going to use Timbermate filler, and I have seen some people on YouTube smearing filler over the entire body and scraping off the excess, then sanding it down. Should I do it this way or is there a better way you may know of? I would like to maintain a nice flat, smooth finish using Nitrocellulose. I look forward to hearing any replies.
Kind regards.
That's the right way to go about applying and working with timbermate, however many don't get the smooth finish you're after with timbermate alone.
Timbermate is great for accentuating the ash grain, but it can still sink in to the grain during the rest of the finishing process.
You'll probably want to look at a sanding sealer in addition to the timbermate, if you're looking to use the timbermate for popping the grain as above. (I used the Birchwood Casey Sealer and Filler over the top of a stain, but there are other options)
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Thanks Dozymuppet, I have got a nitro sanding sealer. So I apply the filler over the whole body, apply the sanding sealer and then primer and so on and so forth is that correct? Also, how many coats of sanding sealer should I use?
Sorry, misread you message, I am using a solid colour so it does not matter if the grain is accentuated or not, do you think timbermate is not the right stuff, or if I apply it as said in my previous message will that work?
I don't have specific experience with what you're planning, but there has been plenty of discussion around this recently https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...ead.php?t=9063
Alright thanks for all your help
If you are painting then from first hand experience best steer clear of Timbermate.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bradtb04
Even if it initially seems to level off, you wait some weeks and being water based it will sink.
This despite 'non-shrink' being printed on the label.
I know 'Sanding Sealer' and 'Grain Filler' are different.
I got a can of F&W sanding sealer and would probably require several coats to achieve the same with grain filler.
I'd like to know what would be the best 'Grain Filler' available to Aussie users.
The experts only seem to let you know what you shouldn't have used.
cheers, Mark.
Thanks Mark, I know people who have had Timbermate stay level after it has dried and been sanded and there are no craters I am trying to fill, only where the grain is a bit wavy. Do you mean you used only the sanding sealer to fill it?
Thanks.
Well you can't rule out dumb luck then.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bradtb04
I think if you put many coats on then sanding sealer should do it, but it would be better to use a dedicated 'Grain Filler'.
cheers, Mark.
I've had good results with Timbermate to grain fill mahogany under solid and transparent nitro finishes - smooth as glass. The mahogany is nowhere near as open in grain structure as ash though. I have an ash strat kit in build that needs finishing so would like to hear what people suggest to do to get a nice flat finish with transparent or solid colour without running into compatibility issues.
With ash, I've heard of folks pre-treating the body with shellac > grain filling with timbermate > sanding > shellac again > nitro sealer coats > nitro colour > Nitro clear. I think the shellac is thought to stabilise the timbermate shrinkage. I've not tried this though. I was thinking about a clear epoxy or CA grain fill but like KC, don't know what products people have had success with in Australia.
Thanks. I'm glad my stream is helping someone else out BD. Mark, the Timbermate I have is 4 In 1 and specifies it is for grain filling as 1 of the 4, not sure if this is what you mean but it might be alright.
So, I'm giving the shellac - timbermate - sand - shellac palaver a crack. I mixed up the timbermate thick so it approximates a runny paste and painted it on. I setup a fan to aid in the drying and once the first application had dried, I gave it another coat. I'll let that sit a week, periodically hit it with the fan again if I'm in the workshop, then give it a sand and a spray bottle mist with shellac.
Other than the shellac, this is the method I used with the mahogany with good results.
I'd post some pics if I took some. :rolleyes: I'll try to take some before sanding
I found another technique, Timbermate - sand - sanding sealer - Timbermate again (if it needs it) - more sanding sealer (if you added more Timbermate). I got this from Fletcher custom guitars:
I contacted the owner who I had seen on YouTube and he was really nice about it.
I am having a go at this, I'll let you know how it goes.
Thanks everyone for your help, and BD I might look into that if I do another kit. Thanks again for all the help,
Regards.
Dave did some great videos a few years back, he has been too busy to do any for a while now.
https://www.youtube.com/c/FletcherHa...Guitars/videos
I used Feast & Watson Sanding Sealer on my JB-4M.
I did about 7 coats which got me to where i wanted to be :)
I actually e-mailed David, he then provided me his number and got me to call him so he could walk me through what changes have happened to his process.
That's a great idea - I guess it then comes down to the compatibility of the sanding sealer with nitro. I know shellac is fine with nitro. Please let us know what products you are using (ie the sealer) beofre the nitro coats commence.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bradtb04
What was your finish on top?Quote:
Originally Posted by glenwilliam
NitrocelluloseQuote:
Originally Posted by BigDaddy
BD, I have a nitro sanding sealer
Super - so that means the FW sealer is compatible with Nitro top coats then (assuming that it hasn't lifted or had any mishaps since application/curing). This is all good information!Quote:
Originally Posted by glenwilliam
Yep - that's what I have to use with this ash guitar as well. It's also what I used on the mahogany body that I had a great result with. This is with minimal polishing......sonic blue on a LP :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Bradtb04
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No mishaps - I love the finish achieved :)Quote:
Originally Posted by BigDaddy
Love it BD! Looks great! Was it a kit or a scratch build?
Thanks - Kit build but with a few upgrades......Gotoh TOM bridge/tailpiece and vintage style tuners. I reshaped the neck profile and veneered the headstock with Rosewood (you can see the veneer on the bench in the photos). I don’t have a pic of the finished guitar yet! I’ll need to take one :rolleyes:
Very nice! I'm sure it looks great!