How to clearcoat bare wood?

[Joe3334]

Hi all, I have a kit coming in about a week's time and would like to stain and clearcoat the body rather than just painting it a solid colour. I understand the process of applying a stain to a guitar body and would like to know whether or not some sort of sanding sealer is necessary before applying the clearcoat to the body or can i just put a clearcoat over the body as is and let the clearcoat build up. I will be using this for the clear http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Pro...at-400g/367643

[Sonic Mountain]

Hey Joe, I used Septone Topcoat Clear Gloss on the Black Cherry. It seems to have worked really well. I did very very fine, light coats and built it up over a long period. Initially it soaked straight in, so it took quite a while to build up enough to cut back. There are about 2 400g cans on there.

So far its still looking really good, but I do know that the acrylics will sink back in as they get really hard. I think I have plenty to do another cut and polish pass if it starts looking grainy. But touch wood its all good.

Its really important to get your initial sanding done well. A big hard flat block on the flat surfaces, otherwise there will be ripples in the finish. I do have some slight ripples in a couple of places, but its only noticeable at certain angles and distances. Up close its flat as glass.

There'll probably be some better advice from people more experienced in the natural finishes, but thats how I did it.

[Simon Barden]

A couple of coats of shellac as a sealer has been mentioned elsewhere. That's supposed to be compatible with all paint types.