The Clueless German got herself a GR-1SF kit

[ThatCluelessGerman]

Was able to get a more even stain now and I think I didn't sand through the top layer, yay. There is still a spot on the front with some scratches I couldn't remove, but not as bad as before.

It's now drying and enjoying some sun (while I need to work inside -.-)







I started to scrape the binding, but quickly noticed it's going to be quite a task :-)
Just a huge guitar with a lot of binding. So I'll spent my evening with it :-)

Still looks a bit like it came from a pirate ship, but not as bad as before. I'm just glad I didn't get the gold hardware, now that would have looked weird

Edit: Oh, I forgot to ask dumb questions! So here we go:
I'm a bit scared using a sanding sealer would move the stain around. It's oil based stain and it's sanding sealer from birchwood casey that goes well with tru oil, so it SHOULD be ok? Not sure if I want to risk it.

[JimC]

it's sanding sealer from birchwood casey that goes well with tru oil, so it SHOULD be ok? Not sure if I want to risk it.

The Birchwood casey sealer filler, which I use extensively has got a pretty powerful solvent content, so I suppose its not impossible it might pick up a little bit of the stain. It wasn't an issue on my mandolin though. In any case as you've got a single colour instrument I don't think it would be an issue, since what you move one second will be back the other. When in doubt always do a test piece of wood:-)

[ThatCluelessGerman]

I really like that color, TCG.

Thanks! It's Minwax Espresso, it's a bit warmer than the Ebony color they have which I first considered.

The Birchwood casey sealer filler, which I use extensively has got a pretty powerful solvent content, so I suppose its not impossible it might pick up a little bit of the stain. It wasn't an issue on my mandolin though. In any case as you've got a single colour instrument I don't think it would be an issue, since what you move one second will be back the other. When in doubt always do a test piece of wood:-)

You are right! And that's actually why I decided against it. I used it on my #3 build and it didn't move much of the colour. However, I remember feeling really sick after applying it, the smell is horrible. It gave me a day of headaches and coughing, so I decided not to use it, as the guitar is quite big.

I used undiluted Minwax fast drying polyurethan varnish for the first three coats, after giving it some time to harden, I'll give it a first gentle sand and then use the wipe on polish (diluted poly) from there.





Here is what I don't like: The varnish is very yellow when dry. That means I'll have to scrape the binding clean once more.
Is it better to scrape the excess off NOW while it's dry but not fully cured, or is it safer to wait until completely dry and then probably sand off?
I don't want to pull off varnish from the wood while scraping.