TL-1L First build

[Twodogies]

What a few days. My head hurts.

Just in relation to my last post about the dark center board.



I ended up posting the same post on a Facebook guitar finishing group and the answers were everything from crap body to paint it or use it as a stripe. Now don't get me wrong, I already have 3 painted guitars I bought and if I wanted another painted guitar I would have bought one. It would have been a lot cheaper lol.

And not into stripes i'm old school so really wanted a nice stained sort of vintage look. ( I have a certain old tele i'm trying to replicate but make it my own). And as I am like a old dog with a bone I was going no where.

So one night after a few bourbons I think i typed in wood bleach into Google and bam. I think I had the answer.

Most recommend a wood bleach kit which contains two solutions. Handy if your in the USA but did find one supplier in Aus. Emailed them saying any chance I can pick it up (well it was Friday and I wanted it for the weekend lol. But no reply.

Back to google to find how to make your own wood bleach or should that be how to blow things up at home lol.

Ok now the serious stuff.

This mix can be toxic so please make sure you have all PPE. Especially GLASSES.

It is a ""Two part"A/B peroxide based bleach. Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide must be high percentage not 3% from chemist or 9 % from hair dressers. I'm talking high % probably 37% or more. I got some 50% hydrogen peroxide from a hydroponics shop or you could try a pool and spa shop or maybe a cleaning supply company.

Combined they create a chemical reaction that creates bleach that can alter the colour of the wood its self. So they say lol.

It took me a number of experiments to find which works the best. Some included the mixing of the two and applying with varying set times. But here is what i think is working for me.

First I got the hydrogen peroxide and applied straight to body. Waited about 20 minutes. Then I mixed up 4 teaspoons of caustic soda to 1/2 cup of water, stirred and applied over the hydrogen peroxide. After a while you can see crystals appear on top. Once it has soaked in for 12 hours you need to get a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar and apply. Then wash with plain water. Then another go with 50/50 water and white vinegar before one last rinse with plain water. Leave to dry.

This is after 6 hours.



A close up image of damage...oops I mean bleaching



After 12 hours soaking in and cleaned up. Still need to sand.



Might give the whole body a going over tonight and see if it blends in better.

Not sure how it will affect the stain when I apply it but that's for another post.

[FrankenWashie]

Given the tonal difference at your starting point, nice work.
Not sure I'd be keen on playing with that mix of chem at home though, kudos for the effort but!

[Twodogies]

Given the tonal difference at your starting point, nice work.
Not sure I'd be keen on playing with that mix of chem at home though, kudos for the effort but!

Hi FrankenWashie.

That was my first thought as well about the chemicals. But then I saw it was used for bleaching floorboards and furniture so I thought I would give it a go.

It's a risk but if you neutralise properly and seal it in there seems to be no issues I came across.

And about playing it. This is my first guitar build. Even I'm not sure if it will be playable let alone me playing it lol.

[Simon Barden]

Well done.

I know Fender used to bleach their bodies for a while in the early days, presumably to allow for a wood colour mismatch such as yours. But they stopped doing it after a while.

Let's hope it stains OK.

[Twodogies]

Well done.

I know Fender used to bleach their bodies for a while in the early days, presumably to allow for a wood colour mismatch such as yours. But they stopped doing it after a while.

Let's hope it stains OK.

Hey Simon.

Re stain...You know what if it doesn't stain I'll just buy another one (with another wood body not basswood lol). I have not had so much fun and learnt so much in ages all for 150$ if I had to pay someone to teach me what I have learnt or pay someone to do that work I think it would cost more than 150 lol.
.
The tele kit is just something to have fun with and learn on before my custom ES 3 kits arrives Been waiting almost 6 months so you see why I got the tele kit lol

If the tele ends up playable so be it but more concerned about learning and hands on experience before I hack into..oops build the ES 3 lol

[Simon Barden]

But you've added some good knowledge to the forum with the wood bleaching tip.

As long as the bleach has now been neutralised, it should stain well.

[FrankenWashie]

Hi FrankenWashie.

And about playing it. This is my first guitar build. Even I'm not sure if it will be playable let alone me playing it lol.

LOL, I know that feeling, and I’m a number of kits and a couple of scratch builds in! As long as you’re having fun, the rest of it really doesn’t matter!

[JohnH]

What a neat trick - thanks for sharing

[Twodogies]

Morning all

Just a little update.

Stained neck using Feast & Watson's Golden teak stain and wipe on poly. First light coat done.

Still thinking of using a decal for the headstock...not sure as yet.



Still haven't thought of a colour for the body yet lol.

Have a few choices lol. Still waiting on Dingotone Butterscotch.



Might have to mix a few colours..

It will be the next addition to my family...Her name will be Carmen

[jugglindan]

I vote decal. I don't think guitars look finished with a blank headstock.