H's TL-1Q, first build.

[Andy40]

H,

You are right. Its difficult to get a perfect final coat in winter. Chances are, you'll end up doing your cycle as described.

If you are happy with the layer of finish, do exactly as you said, wait 21 days then polish.

Make sure you hang it, don't put it down, even though it feels hard now it will get a ghost pattern on it. Scruitinse the hardness with your fingernail after 21 days, make sure it is hard right through otherwise the polish stage wont work. Sometimes in winter it takes a bit longer....sorry.

[UpperCaseH]

Ah, OK, no problem. I reckon I'll put another coat on then and try to get it even thinner than before and see how that turns out.

I've seen a few pics and videos where people got marks in the finish laying it down before it'd fully cured, so it's definitely hanging up!

As far as polishing goes, what process do you guys use? I was going to order some of those micromesh pads since they look fairly easy to use. I'm not going for high gloss, but I'd like a bit of shine on it.

[Andy40]

Micromesh are the best to use. You could get a great satin finish with anywhere up to 3000 grit. Its still satin higher than that but its just finding the right combo for you as you go up the grades. do a test patch of polishing under the neck plate.

[UpperCaseH]

OK, great, I'll pick some up from Carbatec.

Put another coat on. Got it super thin this time, just wetting the very edge of the rag and re-wetting it maybe 4 times across the whole body. Must be doing it right, because the matte sections where the bumps were completely disappeared and no new bumps showed up.

As always, thanks for the advice! There's no way I could get results anywhere near as good as this without the advice and support of the people who post here.

Now I get to wait!

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[Andy40]

Lookin' good! no worries, happy to help

[nitroburner1000]

OK, great, I'll pick some up from Carbatec.

Put another coat on. Got it super thin this time, just wetting the very edge of the rag and re-wetting it maybe 4 times across the whole body. Must be doing it right, because the matte sections where the bumps were completely disappeared and no new bumps showed up.

As always, thanks for the advice! There's no way I could get results anywhere near as good as this without the advice and support of the people who post here.

Now I get to wait!

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Awesome job mate

[UpperCaseH]

It's been just about 3 weeks since I touched this one. How do I tell if the final coats have cured enough to polish? I can score it with my thumbnail if I press really hard, but not more than I would on a piece of bare pine.

[wokkaboy]

Hi H, might be worth waiting another week or so to be on the safe side. You seem to have enough to continue on with your jazzy build. Has the tele got Dingotone stain and top coats ?

[Andy40]

Hi H,

I noticed that the final coats took a little longer than 21 days to cure over winter (and that's in Brisbane). The body finals are not as hard as the neck finals but you shouldn't be able to score it with a fingernail...soz...

[UpperCaseH]

No worries, thanks guys. Not a problem to wait, just wanted to know how to tell if I could get started again. I'll leave it another week and check, then weekly after that until it's good.