Les Paul Refinish

Hi guys, I built a Les Paul last year that was finished in vintage white, but wasn't too happy with the finish because there was a huge blemish due to my impatient mistake.

About less than a year later, I decided to refinish it to a cherry burst. I stripped the paint (which was very thick! Didn't know I had put so many layers!) with a heat gun.

Some parts of the top had dings on it, because back then, I wanted to turn the guitar into a relic to suit the blemish (and vent my anger too). In other words I couldn't get a super smooth finish. And I also sanded through the maple cap in the process, but I don't really mind as I've nothing to lose!


http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...804_164616.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...809_162501.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...810_170334.jpg

More pics. I'm in the process of clear coating it now with Minwax wipe on poly. I used to spray my clear coats with acrylic lacquer but I found that too expensive and tedious, and I lacked the proper spray environment.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...811_174628.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...811_181109.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...811_181135.jpg

wow nice work Simon, big improvement on the first effort.
Should look great with some clear coats, well done making the move and stripping it back.
What type of stains have you used ? I like the red on the back/sides

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/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from wokkaboy on August 14, 2014, 15:37
wow nice work Simon, big improvement on the first effort.
Should look great with some clear coats, well done making the move and stripping it back.
What type of stains have you used ? I like the red on the back/sides

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Yes it took me 3 guitars to find the best technique for finishing! Still learning!

I used Colortone Cherry Red, which you can get from Stewmac but I got it from eBay which came in a 50ml bottle already mixed. Then I used a walnut stain from the green shed and that really darkened the back and popped the grain. It's a basswood body but I'm really happy how the colour turned out! Looks like the cherry red on Gibsons that I had in mind.

Very very well done mate. This turned out so nice. Can't wait to see her put together and polished up.

well done Simon, you really have achieved a similar cherry red as the G type company

Looking awesome Simon! Love the burst you've achieved. She's looking 1000 times better, I bet you are stoked.

Cheers,
Gav.

Here is a fourth coat of poly applied over the top. It's still wet so it looks shiny and there are many bubbles which will disappear later. Will have to wait a good number of hours before levelling it and then I'll do the back. A slow process but I found this the best way to avoid drips and runs.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...815_104242.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...815_104255.jpg

Very nice indeed.

looks awesome Simon,so you using poly spray cans ? what brand ?

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/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from wokkaboy on August 15, 2014, 11:17
looks awesome Simon,so you using poly spray cans ? what brand ?

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I've stopped using spray cans because of the higher costs, lack of proper spray environment, and inferior results compared to spray guns. I've tried wipe on poly for my previous telecaster build and decided it's a better and easier way of finishing. Polyurethane is harder but can be tricky to work with. I'm using minwax wipe on poly which is oil-based.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/asset...inwax-test.jpg

thanks Simon, you probably mentioned that earlier, hard to remember what everyone uses in each build.
Fantastic result if that's 4 coats. Looks pretty similar result to tru oil

Hey Si, where do you get that stuff?

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/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from lawry on August 15, 2014, 17:41
Hey Si, where do you get that stuff?

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I chanced upon it at Bunnings Mascot, Sydney. I think they were trying to clear the old stock but they don't stock Minwax now.

I previously used Calbot's water-based polyurethane for my telecaster and achieved great results too, but I'm really impressed with the Minwax so far, just that oil takes longer to dry.

Quote:

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/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from wokkaboy on August 15, 2014, 16:20
thanks Simon, you probably mentioned that earlier, hard to remember what everyone uses in each build.
Fantastic result if that's 4 coats. Looks pretty similar result to tru oil

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I've actually wanted to try tru oil but don't know where to get it in my area. If I'm not wrong tru oil seems harder to apply as a finish than polyurethane, and in the long run may not be as durable.

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/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from SIMpleONe89 on August 15, 2014, 21:25

Quote:

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/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/Quote from lawry on August 15, 2014, 17:41
Hey Si, where do you get that stuff?

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I chanced upon it at Bunnings Mascot, Sydney. I think they were trying to clear the old stock but they don't stock Minwax now.

I previously used Calbot's water-based polyurethane for my telecaster and achieved great results too, but I'm really impressed with the Minwax so far, just that oil takes longer to dry.

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Hmm. Not selling it anymore, huh? That'll make DB happy. Anything to stop people going into the BGS.
:o

Lawry, if you don't want to risk DB's wrath by going into a forbidden store you can buy it online here.

Hey guys, finally finished the Les Paul! Had a few sand throughs but I've learned to live with imperfection. Will learn from my mistakes!

For some reason I can't post pictures!

Trying out now...
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...906_163107.jpg

I can't seem to upload pictures! After uploading, I get a blank screen with no status, and I hit back and try to upload again but the same thing happens!

Let's see.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...906_163059.jpg

Seems like it works if I upload one at a time...
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...906_163037.jpg

Pickguard on.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...905_075844.jpg

Gorgeous Simon. Just fantastic.

cheers,
Gav.