The Clueless German got herself a GR-1SF kit

[ThatCluelessGerman]

Finally done scraping the binding. Whew. Except for those f-holes. I should probably have taped them, but I figured since the tape won't properly adhere to the many curves, and there will be seeps anyway, why bother. Ha.
I think I'll try rubbing with turps first, and then go from there.

[ThatCluelessGerman]

Yeah, it was a fun ride. The back got the first coat of poly.

[PJSprog]

I really like that color, TCG.

[JimC]

it's sanding sealer from birchwood casey that goes well with tru oil, so it SHOULD be ok? Not sure if I want to risk it.

The Birchwood casey sealer filler, which I use extensively has got a pretty powerful solvent content, so I suppose its not impossible it might pick up a little bit of the stain. It wasn't an issue on my mandolin though. In any case as you've got a single colour instrument I don't think it would be an issue, since what you move one second will be back the other. When in doubt always do a test piece of wood:-)

[ThatCluelessGerman]

I really like that color, TCG.

Thanks! It's Minwax Espresso, it's a bit warmer than the Ebony color they have which I first considered.

The Birchwood casey sealer filler, which I use extensively has got a pretty powerful solvent content, so I suppose its not impossible it might pick up a little bit of the stain. It wasn't an issue on my mandolin though. In any case as you've got a single colour instrument I don't think it would be an issue, since what you move one second will be back the other. When in doubt always do a test piece of wood:-)

You are right! And that's actually why I decided against it. I used it on my #3 build and it didn't move much of the colour. However, I remember feeling really sick after applying it, the smell is horrible. It gave me a day of headaches and coughing, so I decided not to use it, as the guitar is quite big.

I used undiluted Minwax fast drying polyurethan varnish for the first three coats, after giving it some time to harden, I'll give it a first gentle sand and then use the wipe on polish (diluted poly) from there.





Here is what I don't like: The varnish is very yellow when dry. That means I'll have to scrape the binding clean once more.
Is it better to scrape the excess off NOW while it's dry but not fully cured, or is it safer to wait until completely dry and then probably sand off?
I don't want to pull off varnish from the wood while scraping.

[Simon Barden]

The softer the finish is, the better. Makes scraping a lot easier. If it's too hard, you risk breaking bits off from the top/sides, not just on the binding. Then you get into a patch/scrape/patch/scrape cycle that you really don't want.

Is the varnish that yellow, or is it carrying some colour from the stain with it?

[ThatCluelessGerman]

No, it's really this yellow. Thanks for the info, I'm getting the blade out

Edit: Damn, this poly stuff is tough! At least it will offer a nice protection to the guitar.

[ThatCluelessGerman]

It's great guitar finishing weather, 33°C and low humidity. So this is coat no. 9 (switched to wipe on poly after 3 coats).

[blinddrew]

I remain hugely impressed by your work rate!

[ThatCluelessGerman]

Well. Not much else going on for me right now. One of my clients is down with covid (so the job gets pushed back until he recovers), temperatures outside are smoking and I'm considering cleaning the house. Or doing my taxes (it never stops...). Which I probably should.