First time build, LP-1MQ

[UpperCaseH]

Never be embarrassed to ask all the questions you need to!

I've never done a grain pop with ink before, but I've used inks to make a burst pattern (I ended up stripping it off, not because the ink was a bad idea though! I just didn't like the colours in the end).

I understand that some inks fade and some don't. I have no idea which ones do fade, but you can get light-fast india ink from an art supply place for less than $10 a pot. The pots are tiny, but there's probably enough in there to pop grain on 2 or even 3 guitars. You want to dilute it to 1 water in 3 ink or even further. 50/50 seemed too dilute for me but I was trying for a colour, not a grain pop.

You don't want to sand too much on the veneer, but if you're careful you won't have any problems. Just be aware that it's really thin. I did 320 - 400 on my telecaster and it came up OK.

I don't know when exactly you'd wipe the ink back off, but the one time I used ink, "a damp rag" did exactly nothing to the colour after 24 hours. I ended up using goof-off to get it off again. I'm sure someone who know more than I do about it will tell you exactly how their process works though!