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Outsourcing the finish

Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 9:42 pm
by Cbstark46143
I recently read that John outsources his finish work.......OMG......lightbulb moment!
I've struggled to acheive an acceptable finish in the humidity of Florida and am yet to be 100% satisfied with my results. I've done rattle can lacquer in a low humidity booth and also tried Tru-Oil with ok results.
With this in mind, I've located a local finish shop that will apply 12 coats hand rubbed full gloss for $300.00 with sanding in between every 3 coats.
So what I'd like to know is this a reasonable charge for the work done? I'm leaning toward yes due to my inability to acheive a finish I'm comfortable with.
I'd love to hear comments from John as to how this compares to what he pays for similar work.
So, forum members. What are your thoughts?

Re: Outsourcing the finish

Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 8:37 am
by B. Howard
That's about 25% below what I charge to finish a guitar in clearcoat. Curious if that includes pore fill?

Re: Outsourcing the finish

Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 9:06 am
by ruby@magpage.com
I found a local car painter (works in a repair shop, does repairs and painting) who also builds electric guitars in his shop. He does lacquer for me for $150 an instrument, including this black one:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ruby1638/ ... 344222304/

no pore fill so I usually do that and a coat of shellac before I give it to him. Look around and no telling who you can find

Ed

Re: Outsourcing the finish

Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 6:58 pm
by Cbstark46143
I'm sure the pore fill is my responsibility.

Re: Outsourcing the finish

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 11:18 am
by tippie53
Yes I have be out sourcing finish as it is more productive for me and cheaper as I don't need a spray booth or the insurance that follows that
I only loose a few hours to drop off instead of days of shop time
My finish guy does my pore fill and buffing
I provide the body in the white and mask off the areas I want as the extension etc.

Re: Outsourcing the finish

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2017 7:39 pm
by Dan Bombliss
I had sent some projects off to Southbound Custom in Nashville. His 2k poly was a VERY high gloss nice finish and was considerably cheaper than nitro. However, Poly has a tendency of looking a bit tacky at times, on the contrary nitro always looks natural.

I was happy with Steven's work.

Re: Outsourcing the finish

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 12:29 am
by jamoat52
Dan Bombliss wrote:I had sent some projects off to Southbound Custom in Nashville. His 2k poly was a VERY high gloss nice finish and was considerably cheaper than nitro. However, Poly has a tendency of looking a bit tacky at times, on the contrary nitro always looks natural.

I was happy with Steven's work.
Dan
To take off a bit of the "tacky look" (too glossy?) try lightly scuffing with 0000 steel wool then giving it a light buffing with extra fine rouge on a wheel. Results tend to be very lacquer like IMO.
George

Re: Outsourcing the finish

Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 7:32 am
by tippie53
finish is one of the hardest parts for sure took me about 14 guitars to nail it

Re: Outsourcing the finish

Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 9:54 pm
by Kbore
mike288 wrote:I tried failed so miserably at the Stew Mac rattle can nitro. I followed directions to a T. Applied 7 coats very lightly. It checked! Sanded guitar down to bare wood, it Checked again! I must have spent more than $100 on the stuff.
Hey Mike,
I was planning a StewMac rattle finish too. Ever find out what made your lacquer check? Was temp and humidity a factor?

Re: Outsourcing the finish

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 12:12 am
by phavriluk
overthinking? For folks trying to make their peace with rattle-can nitrocellulose lacquer, I suggest buying some Deft rattle cans at their hardware store and seeing what they can do with them. I finished a guitar - - - my first finish on my own, with Deft satin rattle-cans - - - and I was much pleased with the results. And that was nearly two years ago. But I am speaking only for myself and out of my own experience, so someone else's results may differ and their expectations will not be the same as mine. But I found happy results in a Deft can (after sealing with z-poxy).