FrankeWashie's EXA 1 customised kit

[robin]

That's going to look very nice Frankie, great effort for your first guitar.

[FrankenWashie]

Thanks Robin, will be a while yet but happy that it's all headed towards a conclusion.

[Andy40]

Lookin good there FW

[FrankenWashie]

Lookin good there FW

CHeers Andy, still a ways to go, but really happy with how the DT topcoat is going so far. The thin coat no do-over method seems to be going well so we shall push ahead.

[FrankenWashie]

Quick question for the assembled wise ones, wet sand to flatten DT top coat.
Should this be done after the first coat, or is it best to layer a couple or three coats on first?

[wokkaboy]

Hey Frankie, I usually give it a light steel wool between top coats and build it up to at least 3 or 4 coats. Then 2-3 weeks curing, then I used the micro mesh pads or a high grit wet sand and polish

[FrankenWashie]

Hey Frankie, I usually give it a light steel wool between top coats and build it up to at least 3 or 4 coats. Then 2-3 weeks curing, then I used the micro mesh pads or a high grit wet sand and polish

Thanks Wokks. I might try and find a synthetic version of steel wool. I have the horrendously expensive stuff that is supposed to be the bees knees and to be honest it's not worth a tin of sh*t. It just seems to leave metal fuzz on everything.

[FrankenWashie]

Update time; Second coat of final went on after a good rubbing down with steel wool and a thorough brush over and magnet sweep to be sure of getting rid of all the wool fibres. I had to weigh up what worried me more, having to deal with steel wool fibres or the potential for water exposure by wet sanding. I opted for playing with magnets, though the rub down really re-inforced my thinking on the steel wool.

I have to say I like working with the DT top coat (and DT in general). It's a pleasant smell, not a chemical one that bores into your nose like some of the others I've used.
While you need to be really stringent and disciplined with application, it is actually very easy to use and apply.
The result this time around of the first of the final coats was very pleasing (especially given the balls up that was my first effort) nice and uniform, a very even shine despite zero polishing.
I'll let this coat dry off a bit and then post some piccies. Going to do some work on the Wiring harness tonight methinks, in preparation for getting this bugger electrimafied.

[wazkelly]

Hi Frankie, good to hear things are progressing well for you.

[FrankenWashie]

I know that I have already state how impressed I was with the DT finish (now that i have my application method sorted) but I cannot get over how well this has come up with no real additional treatment.

I have a third coat that went on yesterday evening and these are the results.



The neck already looks like its coated in glass, and the body is coming up beautifully (to my eye) as well.