ES-1F First time builder

So, after much deliberating I've finally made a start with finishing the body. I'm using RIT fabric dyes. I did a black coat and then sanded back to try to highlight the flame pattern (which is not particularly spectacular on this body). Then I've coated with blue. I'm going to leave the sides and back natural (I may just use a subtle darker tone) and lacquer the whole thing. I plan to do the front of the headstock in the same blue but leave the rest of the headstock/neck natural colour.

Attachment 42449

No, not a spectacular pattern, but still enough to be interesting. It should look even better with a clear coat on it.

A little more progress.....

I decided to fade to turquoise in the middle of the body and do a similar pattern on the headstock. I've done the sides a lighter blue and I'm leaving the back and the fretboard natural. I've glued the neck in place and Simon Barden was right about the neck angle - it is a bit on the shallow side but I reckon just about OK. I've replaced the plastic nut with a bone one. Now just waiting for the glue to dry before I give the whole thing a couple of coats of 2K clearcoat.

Attachment 42468

Looking good.

That's going to look great when it's got a clear cote on.

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Got the gloss on. Two coat of 2K clear coat front a can. A painstaking rub-down / flatten with 360 and then 600 grit. Then a second & third thick coat of 2K. I just hope it plays as good as it looks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PorkyPig

Got the gloss on. Two coat of 2K clear coat front a can. A painstaking rub-down / flatten with 360 and then 600 grit. Then a second & third thick coat of 2K. I just hope it plays as good as it looks!

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Oops... I forgot to post the pic! It's pretty good but could still benefit from a bit of buffing

Attachment 42505

Lovely.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by PorkyPig

Oops... I forgot to post the pic! It's pretty good but could still benefit from a bit of buffing

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Looks like it's still got some 'orange peel' and could be sanded flatter before buffing (though it could just be the photo), but it's coming along nicely.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Simon Barden

Looks like it's still got some 'orange peel' and could be sanded flatter before buffing (though it could just be the photo), but it's coming along nicely.

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Yes, I already flat sanded with 800 & 2000 grit and buffed. Look better now.

It's finally complete. It didn't turn out too bad, I think.

Attachment 42726

Some more photos
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... and some more...
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That's all folks....
Attachment 42729