TD's MBM-1

[Trevor Davies]

It has been a while, but I have finally got around to adding 3 more coats of clear poly.

[Trevor Davies]

Burst 2. I was very worried about this - but I think I've pulled it off. More clear coats to follow!

[Trevor Davies]

4 more clear coats of water-based gloss poly added today to the body and headstock. Also gave 3 final coats of w-b satin poly to the neck. Hopefully this should be enough! Now to leave if for a week or so to gas-off.

Also made a spear head truss rod cover, and applied a mockingbird decal.

[DarkMark]

Oh my, that looks good
I didn’t know you could put water based over oil based.

[Trevor Davies]

Oh my, that looks good
I didn’t know you could put water based over oil based.

Thanks DarkMark.

It may not work for all! I got the idea from DickyBee! I give the oil-based coats (I have been using Tru-oil!) a few weeks to gas off. Then apply the Cabot's water-based poly' coats. It helps prevent the raised grain issue when using water-based materials. Fender3x also promotes using a shellac coat between different layers to reduce compatibility issues (but I have not tried, or needed this).

[fender3x]

I have also used water-based top coat over oil based paint...but at the mfg's suggestion I made sure that the oil based paint had completely gassed off first ;-)

The guitar looks fantastic BTW. Really amazing burst!

[Trevor Davies]

Thanks Fender3x.

Today I have soldered the electronics:
volume and tone,
Varitone circuit,
coil tap to coil split.

I think I need to get some heat shrink to tidy it up a bit!

[fender3x]

...I think I need to get some heat shrink to tidy it up a bit!

It already looks pretty tidy by my standards ;-) Not sure what you'd need the heatshrink for. Unless you think there are some connections that might cross when it's installed.

[Trevor Davies]

More progress:

Today I have given the body a wet rub from 1500 to 2000 g, polished them with Kustom Creations Kustom Grit step 1 (cutting compound), and step 2 using a Random Orbital Polisher and micro-fibre pad. I then applied Maguire’s Ultimate Compound and then Scratch X with the Polisher and micro-fibre cloth.

Also drilled the holes for the electronics and added the electronics. (I probably should have drilled the holes for the electronics before finishing the body - but I was unsure what I wanted!!)

[fender3x]

Looking very shiny! There is always the danger of cracking the finish if you drill after the finish hardens. But if you drill early there is a danger of wood swelling, particularly with water based finish. I generally do it the way you do. I try to remember to start the drill on the reverse setting to get started and then switch to normal. I also tend to use a reamer very gently and slowly to make small holes bigger. In your case, it looks about perfect the way it is.