LP jr - JohnH's #5

[JohnH]

How about sanding sealer over timbermate?

Yeah, that might be worth trying, though I still think I'll explore some other grain fillers.

From personal experience Timbermate seems to react and cause issues if stain is water based.
With using TO as a top coat it is a good idea to do some experiments on scrap timber to see how much it changes the intended colour.
Also need to bear in mind that it seems to continue 'ageing' and thus darkening in colour over time. Very hard to get blue shades looking just right when using the stuff.

Ahhh, yep. Now you mention it, water based stain is the common denominator for the times it didn't work. Can't believe it didn't occur to me. What grain filler do you normally use when using water based stains?

[wazkelly]

Ahhh, yep. Now you mention it, water based stain is the common denominator for the times it didn't work. Can't believe it didn't occur to me. What grain filler do you normally use when using water based stains?

Unfortunately Timbermate and try not to apply water based stain too moist otherwise it rehydrates filler and can cause some initial swelling then shrink back as it dries out.

On recent ES1 build the back was a right proper PIA as the timber had a weird stringy grain texture. I used natural timber mate a few times between stain coats as that takes on the colour being laid down.

I tend to get things as good as you can and then use multiple coats of TO as the alternative filler and actually prefer this look even if it does take a lot more top coats. Ends up looking like timber encased in glass if you persist long enough.

[JohnH]

Bugger. Ok, good to know.

I'm definitely guilty of putting the stain on too wet.

[andrewdosborne]

Got this sanded and stained on Friday. I ended up opting for a simple, single colour rather than the burst.

This pic makes it look a bit grainy, but I just brushed the tru oil on pretty thick. It's crazy how much the oil yellowed the stain. It is a turquoise stain, so was a green-y blue to start with, but the oil has made it straight up emerald green.

Colour looks great. Here’s a picture of some TO I have in a clear container, easy to see how it would affect whatever it is applied over




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[wazkelly]

Not to mention how fast it oxidises once left open for a short while.

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[Andy40]

very fast

[JohnH]

Not to mention how fast it oxidises once left open for a short while.

Yeah, have defo made that mistake before

[JohnH]

I got a bit held up with this build due to time and financial constraints, BUT I think both have eased off now.

I wasn't happy with the finish, so I ended up stripping it off and starting again (same colour though). The body is now getting the usual TO treatment, and looking pretty good. The headstock is still not quite right, so I'm leaving it for a bit and will have another crack at it next weekend.

Glad to be back at it!

[JohnH]

It's embarrassing how long this build has taken, but since the lock down I've been working from home and dropped a 2-3 hour commute each day. It's amazing what you can do when you gain all those hours back, and now it's starting to come together.

Ordered the electronics from GFS yesterday, and the body is stained, oiled and sanded to 2000. The neck is a bit behind, but has a been stained, oiled and had a decal added. I'll try to get some nice pics tomorrow when the light's a bit better ad the kids aren't around.

I've had lots of issues with sanding through the stain on this one, even though I've been extra careful and put LOTS of TO on. I've sanded it back and started again twice already. Not sure why as I haven't had as much trouble with previous builds. anyway, I'm looking forward to putting it all together!

[Andy40]

I know how you feel. I have too many builds sitting around like this.

2 - 3 hour commute from Canberra? Geez