Christodav's TL-1AR first build

[Andy40]

Nowhere near as good as Andy's burst, but I'm not upset with the progress I guess?

Chris

Looking good...how many stain coats is that? I think i put at least 3-4 stain coats and 3-4 intensifier coats to achieve my burst.

[christodav]

Looking good...how many stain coats is that? I think i put at least 3-4 stain coats and 3-4 intensifier coats to achieve my burst.

So that pic was taken when it was still quite wet. That is it's 2nd coat of stain for the gold and the first one for the red/sunset. The black still has it's first coat on.
After the 1st coat, I sanded pretty hard as I was really not happy with the way it failed to blend between the colours on the back. I have gaps where the stain seems to have shrunk into the timber, so once it had dried, I sanded it right back with 320grit to kinda start again. The stain is all still there but faded back. This one on the front came out much better.
I think that on the 3rd coat on the front. I am going to apply all 3 colours in the one application to get a better blend and mix. I am going to follow your lead Andy and do a 600grit wet sand between coats.
The ebony Timbermate is really showing through which I do like.
The plan is to bring the black in further, keep the red about where it is now and make a nice fade between the red and yellow.

I also applied the black way too thick on the sides, so that will get a fair sanding back and re-application.

Andy, did you dampen your cotton material or do anything special when feathering the colours?

I also managed to apply the first final coat on the neck. It wasn't a hot day today so, I'll wait a few days to apply a second coat. I put the Pitbull sticker on too early and it basically fell off last night. LOL

Chris

[Andy40]

Andy, did you dampen your cotton material or do anything special when feathering the colours?

nothing but DT colours. from memory I had three pots with the colours and five bits of cotton each time i applied it. I applied each "band of colour" separately to the body then used spare two bits of cotton with the and dipped it in the lighter colour to blend each band, then touched up with the used darker colour rag with the blend. the blending gets better each coat.

You'll find that the colours blend better each coat you do and the colours will also darken up quite a bit with the intensifier coat.

I didn't sand between coats for the stains only the intensifier coats. even tough you put it on thin, it will still be a bit bumpy on the blend lines. these need to be smoothed out once cured and before the next intensifier coat otherwise the bumps will get bigger each time and cause havoc with a smooth finish.