First built - Custom EXA-7 (Dora the 7Xplorer)

[Juanito]

I applied some timbermate maple colour, hoping it was going to be darker and highlight the grain, but it dried pink and after sanding, I didn't see much difference... that's better than looking bad

Now, I sanded down to 240 grit, still a bit rough but feels nice to touch, and applied two coats of Diggers Timber Oil Quicker Dry, which is some form of boiled linseed oil, but seems to dry superfast. I'm going for a rather natural colour. I feels dry to touch almost immediately, but there's still some smell coming from the wood, so I don't think is fully dry. I might have put two coats too close to each other, but I'm leaving it there a bit longer for the subsequent coats - I'm trying to work on the two dry days we have had in Melbourne between very rainy days.

I'm wondering how many coats should I apply before sanding to a finer grit and add more coats. I thought maybe a quick sand to the neck after these two, but maybe two more coats for the body? I'm a bit concerned about starting to sand over the veneer with too thin coats.

Note: these photos were taken after the first coat. It was a bit dark when I put the second coat, so I didn't take photos.

[phrozin]

I applied some timbermate maple colour, hoping it was going to be darker and highlight the grain, but it dried pink and after sanding, I didn't see much difference... that's better than looking bad

Now, I sanded down to 240 grit, still a bit rough but feels nice to touch, and applied two coats of Diggers Timber Oil Quicker Dry, which is some form of boiled linseed oil, but seems to dry superfast. I'm going for a rather natural colour. I feels dry to touch almost immediately, but there's still some smell coming from the wood, so I don't think is fully dry. I might have put two coats too close to each other, but I'm leaving it there a bit longer for the subsequent coats - I'm trying to work on the two dry days we have had in Melbourne between very rainy days.

I'm wondering how many coats should I apply before sanding to a finer grit and add more coats. I thought maybe a quick sand to the neck after these two, but maybe two more coats for the body? I'm a bit concerned about starting to sand over the veneer with too thin coats.

Note: these photos were taken after the first coat. It was a bit dark when I put the second coat, so I didn't take photos.

Thats a beautiful grain that will look real good when finished,

Simon your still the guru of all things guitar 👍