Andys Build #3 : JR-1DC

[gavinturner]

Hi Andy, a couple of questions for you about spraying clear coats if you don't mind.
Is it poly you are shooting for the clear coats?
Which brand do you use? Behlen?
What proportion of solvent do you mix with the poly so it flows through the gun and lays down so nice?

Thanks,
Gav.

[Andyport]

@ Gav: I use acrylic auto clear for my clear coating, obtained from a local auto paint supplier.
Don't remember the brand off hand, will check in the morning for you.
I find acrylic really easy to work with, its very clear(no yellowing), dries quickly and gives a hard durable finish. The idea is not to put on too many coats...too thick can lead to cracking as the finish ages. I would think about 6 coats, 8 at the most would do. Put on say 3 good coats one day, allowing it to tack off between coats, leave next day or 2 to dry, wet sand and then shoot your next 3 coats. You could go another couple coats if it seems too thin. Acrylic can take a lot of thinning. I'm guessing roughly 40:60 paint to thinner, maybe even as high as 30:70. The more thinner, the better the flow, the glossier the finish and no "orange peeling". Then leave it a week to cure before cutting and polishing.
Hope this helps.

[gavinturner]

Thanks Andy, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I may well give it a try this time around. Just got given a brand new spray gun. I do need to set up a little spray booth however and that's gonna take time.

cheers,
Gavin.

[Andyport]

With the silly season well upon us, I have had little spare time to devote to the Junior.
Yesterday I completed the headstock, well almost, just letting it cure before a quick cut and polish.
The same basic design as I have used on my other builds.
Next step will be to bolt on the neck. It'll be the first bolt on I will have done...
...and I am little nervous about it.

[wokkaboy]

headstock looks excellent Andy, is that a black veneer or solid black paint ?
Bolt on necks are much less stressfull than a glue in, at least a bolt on you can remove the neck to make tweaks, once a neck is glued its fairly permanent !

[Andyport]

@ Wokka:
It's actually a decal that I have made, applied to the prepared headstock, trimmed to shape, and then sprayed clear lacquer over.

[wokkaboy]

Andy, thats a cool idea, sounds like you have the decals worked out and the ones you sent for Gav's DC Jnr looks great !

[gavinturner]

Andy, another amazing headstock!
Your decal approach really looks awesome. I would give it a try if I could imagine a way to accurately cut it to size. Any pointers?

cheers,
Gav.

[Andyport]

@ Gav:
I just oversize the decal, then after applying, using a scalpel with a very sharp new blade, run it around the edge of the headstock. Sounds easy but it can be a challenge...30 odd years of wielding a scalpel certainly helps. Otherwise you may accidentally reshape that beautifully crafted headstock.

[maxaxe]

What a truly elegant guitar.

The sunburst is probably the best I ever seen from a home builder and I like your decalling method too.

Darren did ask before about your 'bursting technique?
Eagerly awaiting enlightenement on that one . . .