Les Paul Refinish

[SIMpleONe89]

Hi guys, I built a Les Paul last year that was finished in vintage white, but wasn't too happy with the finish because there was a huge blemish due to my impatient mistake.

About less than a year later, I decided to refinish it to a cherry burst. I stripped the paint (which was very thick! Didn't know I had put so many layers!) with a heat gun.

Some parts of the top had dings on it, because back then, I wanted to turn the guitar into a relic to suit the blemish (and vent my anger too). In other words I couldn't get a super smooth finish. And I also sanded through the maple cap in the process, but I don't really mind as I've nothing to lose!

[SIMpleONe89]

More pics. I'm in the process of clear coating it now with Minwax wipe on poly. I used to spray my clear coats with acrylic lacquer but I found that too expensive and tedious, and I lacked the proper spray environment.

[wokkaboy]

wow nice work Simon, big improvement on the first effort.
Should look great with some clear coats, well done making the move and stripping it back.
What type of stains have you used ? I like the red on the back/sides

[SIMpleONe89]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from wokkaboy on August 14, 2014, 15:37
wow nice work Simon, big improvement on the first effort.
Should look great with some clear coats, well done making the move and stripping it back.
What type of stains have you used ? I like the red on the back/sides

Yes it took me 3 guitars to find the best technique for finishing! Still learning!

I used Colortone Cherry Red, which you can get from Stewmac but I got it from eBay which came in a 50ml bottle already mixed. Then I used a walnut stain from the green shed and that really darkened the back and popped the grain. It's a basswood body but I'm really happy how the colour turned out! Looks like the cherry red on Gibsons that I had in mind.

[ponch]

Very very well done mate. This turned out so nice. Can't wait to see her put together and polished up.

[wokkaboy]

well done Simon, you really have achieved a similar cherry red as the G type company

[gavinturner]

Looking awesome Simon! Love the burst you've achieved. She's looking 1000 times better, I bet you are stoked.

Cheers,
Gav.

[SIMpleONe89]

Here is a fourth coat of poly applied over the top. It's still wet so it looks shiny and there are many bubbles which will disappear later. Will have to wait a good number of hours before levelling it and then I'll do the back. A slow process but I found this the best way to avoid drips and runs.

[pablopepper]

Very nice indeed.

[wokkaboy]

looks awesome Simon,so you using poly spray cans ? what brand ?