Tims ash ST-1 linseed oil finish (First Build)

[Brendan]

Tim - DB's mantra from memory with Deep Base coats is don't sand. Wait until you're done with the deep bases. Then light sand with 0000 wool. In between base coats and top coats - more light sanding with 0000. Really with these you are only taking out any ridges that haven't settled from the Wudtone.

Hope that helps.

[crundes]

Thanks Brendan,
Yeah I think I will just stick with steel wool for the rest of the coats. Gavin1393 suggested lightly cutting back with sandpaper to get the grain to stand out more, which it has done quite well I think but I may have slightly overdone it!
Cheers,
Tim

[wokkaboy]

Tim don't worry about overdoing the cutting back and re-sanding, next wudtone kit you get should be enough for 2 guitars (if the wudtone kit has deep coat and base coat). DB said don't steel wool between deep coats if you want a really deep/darker colour. Otherwise I'd still do a light steel wool rub between all coats will give it a smoother finish in the end. The wudtone top coats will make the colour go slightly darker but not really noticeable. Other types of higher gloss clear coats normally make it go a bit darker (poly's, tru oil etc)

[crundes]

Cheers Wokka, I think I might give it a very slight steel wool between coats just to even out the finish slightly. When I applied the first coat that I ended up sanding off I found it quite hard to even up the finish with the steel wool because the coat was so thick So I think if I leave it until I've finished all the base coats, the stain might accumulate in certain areas to the point that it's hard to even out the finish (for my level of skill anyway).

[wokkaboy]

no worries Tim, you will get a more even and smoother finish if you do steel wool between every coat. Also apply thinner coats works well. Try and give it at least 24 hours between colour coats and 48 hours if the gloss is extra aging. Where are you located ? Its pretty well hot everywhere this time of year so good curing weather

[crundes]

Cheers Wokka, I'm in Melbourne so I'm sure the 44 degree days this week are speeding the process up nicely. I applied the fourth coat this morning and I'm really like the results, still looking a bit uneven but I've slightly refined my wudtoning technique and it's getting more even with each coat. Will post some photos after the 5th or 6th coat so there is some noticeable difference.

I'm still tossing up between a Tru-oil finish or the Wudtone satin finish that's on the way in the mail... Might hold off for a bit and see what the guitar looks like with a few more coats before I make my mind up. Does anyone know if it's possible to apply a Wudtone top coat and then if I decide that's not the look I'm after cover that with Tru-oil... Probably a silly question but thought I'd check.

Cheers
Tim

[Brendan]

Tim, you can get a semi (but still pretty glossy) coat from Wudtone. Take your time and check Dingobass' posts - maybe search for the term "A4" - that's part of the process.

[lawry]

Hey guys, I often read about using a thinned down Wudtone. Just how 'thin' do you make it? What sort of ratio? And do you use full strength after X coats or use thinned all the way?

[Gavin1393]

Wudtone starts to coagulate (harden / thicken) over a short period of time as the solvent evaporates. To reverse this process you need to add solvent back into the mix. Shellite is used for this pupose as decreed by Andy from Wudtone and passed on to me by the great man DB, himself!
Add a little Shellite and shake it up until the consistency is much like it was when you first opened the bottle. And, don't believe that the solvent doesnt evaporate through the plastic bottles despite being closed, because it does!

[crundes]

Good to know Gav :-) Would it be possible to put the wudtone in the fridge to slow or stop any evaporation? Or will that just make it coagulate because of the temperature change?