NON-PBG - LP Build Diary for DIY Guitars GLP-40BBK

[wazkelly]

Headstock looks great.

Depending on where you live and what the weather conditions have been like may dictate how long to leave things. 22 coats sounds like plenty but it also depends on how many periodic wet sandings were done as each session would remove some of the layers?

If it were mine I would start with nothing under 1500 at this stage of the build as you are now trying to polish it up rather than sand off imperfections and too coarse a grit will do just that. Still need to go easy with both 1500 & 2000 as they can also strip more off than anticipated.

Whilst wet the body should start to feel very smooth and glassy which becomes a hint to move up to the next finer grit. If you haven't already got some micro mesh pads it would be a good idea to order some as they really bring home the glassy look.

[Alkay]

Hi wazkelly,
Thanks I'm quite happy with the shape. I took awhile to sand it to replicate the shape I came up with.
Sorry I should have elaborated more on that last post. I was in a hurry. Here's my follow up responses:

Headstock looks great.

Depending on where you live and what the weather conditions have been like may dictate how long to leave things. 22 coats sounds like plenty but it also depends on how many periodic wet sandings were done as each session would remove some of the layers?

-I'm in country Victoria where most nights are near zero celcius at the moment. I have been bringing the guitar inside beside the fire place after applying the TO. It's ok to do so because of the "kebab" style drying rack I made. Hahaha.

-The only wet sanding I have done was with my mistakes of a small segment noted a few posts back. 22 coats is probably allot but I thought it would be better incase I'm too heavy with the wet sanding.

If it were mine I would start with nothing under 1500 at this stage of the build as you are now trying to polish it up rather than sand off imperfections and too coarse a grit will do just that. Still need to go easy with both 1500 & 2000 as they can also strip more off than anticipated.

-I'm ready to do 1500 wet sanding. The lighter one caused the problems a few posts back but I think it was wokkaboy that said maybe it hadn't cured fully.

Whilst wet the body should start to feel very smooth and glassy which becomes a hint to move up to the next finer grit. If you haven't already got some micro mesh pads it would be a good idea to order some as they really bring home the glassy look.

-Good advice on knowing when to move up to a finer grit. Yes I got the micro mesh pads that you suggested and also the ultimate polish compound.

Thanks for your help.

Cheers,
Alkay.

[wazkelly]

Happy to help and pass on a few tips along the way.

Turned cold up here again and made me wonder if it is snowing down your way in country Victoria?

[stan]

Coming along well mate, time for more pics

[Alkay]

Happy to help and pass on a few tips along the way.

Turned cold up here again and made me wonder if it is snowing down your way in country Victoria?

Has been snowing in Ballarat a few weeks ago so I heard but no here but it does get cold here. At least today is nice weather.

Ok so an update. I won't post photos yet because you can't really see the reflection/problem on my camera.

I have wet and dry sanded with 1500.
On a few areas on the body there is a cloudy "white-ish" streak thats visible.

Does this sound like I have been too firm with the wet and dry and what should I do to fix it?
Just start applying another 8-10 coats of TO as you suggested before doing 2000 wet and dry and then the micro mesh pads?

Cheers,
Alkay

[wokkaboy]

Hi Alkay, sounds like the TO may not have fully cured, would help if you can try and post a photo please ?

How many TO coats have you applied and when was the last coat applied ?

[Alkay]

Hi Alkay, sounds like the TO may not have fully cured, would help if you can try and post a photo please ?

How many TO coats have you applied and when was the last coat applied ?

Hi wokkaboy,

I did 22 coats of TO and then wet and dry sanded with 1500.

Taking a photo now...

[wokkaboy]

wow 22 coats you are very patient ! How long since the last coat had it been curing before the wet and dry Alkay, thats the important stat !

[Alkay]

Hi wokkaboy,

You can't see it in detail on the photo. It looks allot worse. I have drawn an arrow of where it is.

It had been drying since the 14/07/2016 before I did 1500 wet and dry as per wazkelly's advice. Maybe it's too cold here even by the fire letting it dry? I have always brought it inside by the fireplace to help speed up the drying time.

Here's the pic..but you can't see the white-ish mark I was talking about in full. I'ts actually a long streak.

[wokkaboy]

Hi Alkay, a bit hard to see as you say, with the cool temperatures you have had maybe 2 weeks it hasn't fully cured. Another thing maybe the body has been too close to the fireplace and caused small amounts of bubbling, depends how hot it got and how close it was to the fireplace.
I think to fix you should wet sand the affected areas till the white streak has gone and then apply 2-3 more TO coats. It is a lengthy process in winter. Does the TO feel pretty hard and is there any smell ? If there is any softness or smell you should wait a bit longer to do more wet sanding.
Hang in there buddy !