Andy40's TLA-1R Build

[wazkelly]

Cheers mate. Was there much of a tint in the OS Final Coat or was it clear as I couldn't pick any difference or maybe it was that long ago that I can't remember?

Colder weather has it's challenges just like the heat & humidity in the height of summer too. Trying finish off my fretless neck project and almost get there on many occasions only to find a tiny spot where a final wet sanding had just gone through and lost count of how many touch ups and full re-applications of the CA glue used to finish it off. Not the most forgiving stuff I have ever used and hopefully will have that job nailed by the end of this weekend.

No matter what product we use for finish the common factor seems to be lots of patience is required between each layer and even more time before attempting final sanding and polishing, even more so as the temperature drops.

[Andy40]

Yeah Waz, totally agree with your conclusion there about different types of finishes.

No there was no colour change with the DT final coat.

[Andy40]

Reckon I got the knack of this Dingo tone final coat thingy.

So my updated technique works like a charm. If you wanted a satin/low gloss finish, you wouldn't even need to sand back or polish!

Laid another thin coat down last night, its dry, not cured. Given that it was pissing rain, shows that even if its pissing down rain and cold, the technique prevails.

Sorry pics slightly out of focus.

[wokkaboy]

looks unreal Andy you have passed the Dingotone test with flying colours
Must be close to wiring and assembly ?

Love you still got a wood fired bbq in the background, can't beat them haha

[Andy40]

Lol yep 70's house and inherited with that house. lol

Just got to wait the 21 days or so for it to fully cure.

[Zandit75]

Looking great Andy, so just to clarify, you are using the two rag process, wiping off the excess with a clean rag?
It will be interesting to see how his process works in the cold we are having here in Tassie at the moment.

[Andy40]

Thats right Zandit. 'cept when i use the clean rag to wipe off the excess, I wrap the clean rag around an eraser (instead of my finger) which 1. takes off the excess and 2. smooths out any mirco runs in the finish. Mind you you don't need this process with any other of the DT coats except the finish.

With the clean rag I usually try to aim to wipe all of the DT off, which is near impossible as there will always be a thin film over the guitar. I reckon in cold weather you should aim to do ultra thin coats and more of them. the thinner the coat the faster it will dry in the colder weather and less likely it will stuff up.

Patience is a virtue.....I've only been working on this build since January!!!!! new PB of a 7 month build....

[Andy40]

Looks like everyone has misjudged my Dingotoning skills.

After a about somewhere between 6 and 9 thin DT final coats and a further 21 days of curing time I managed to wet sand through the finish, the intensifier and stain coats in an attempt to level the finish. I only lightly used 600 grit and 1500 grit.

You cannot see how bad it is in the photo but you can get the idea.


I've had to restain it.

I'm not going to post anymore until I get this back on track. The depths of my dissappointedness knows no bounds.

[wazkelly]

Ouch....those coats must be thinner than TO's to go through that easy.

I reckon starting with 1500 for wet sanding is about the right grit level as even it can take off drastic amounts of finish if not too careful. On my fretless neck conversion I started off at 2000 every time and still went through in patches.

Must be a Tele thing as mine needs a few touch up's too and just ordered some more naughty oil from PBG less than an hour ago.

Hope this doesn't set you back for too long.

[Dedman]

600 can be surprisingly bitey Thats a bummer Andy