finishing prep

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tippie53
Posts: 7011
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
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finishing prep

Post by tippie53 »

I have been doing a good bit of finish experiments lately as you well know and here is a primer I would pass on

I have pics that will come soon but let me help you newbies how you can help yourself and make a good finish with simple techniques.

I am making a guitar for a charity so this is a great candidate for this experiment. I will be using water finish emtec water based lacquer.
The body is all mahgany 000 15 body that was donated by Martin. I sanded this to 180 grit. To that I then stained using minwax English Chestnut. After staining I sealed with shellac. After that dried I then applied Aqua Coat . I used 2 applications using a gloved hand to work it in then wiped it off with paper towels. That is now drying and I will get pics tomorrow and will keep you all posted on the progress.
I am also using a high figured hog neck so I can see if there is any differences in figure and non figure. So far I have about 2 hr total between sanding , staining , and filling. I am pleasantly surprise of the flatness of the surface and will expect a super gloss when buffed. I will let you know the exact finish I am using as I apply it
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
lonecedar959
Posts: 52
Joined: Tue May 09, 2017 5:34 am

Re: finishing prep

Post by lonecedar959 »

Thanks John for taking the time to do the work and posting these tips and experiments...

I will be waiting patiently to see your results.

-Patrick
phavriluk
Posts: 554
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2012 9:49 pm

Re: finishing prep

Post by phavriluk »

Most interested in techniques involving staining and light binding/purfling. I'm at a loss as to how to deal with stain contaminating purfling and/or bindings.

Thanks!
peter havriluk
tippie53
Posts: 7011
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
Contact:

Re: finishing prep

Post by tippie53 »

scraping
I use a razor blade and grind the side like a scraper , using my fingers as a guitar I can scrape them clean. You can also try masking off the the binding but I learned scraping was the way to go with the plastic. On wood. I do mask wood off and shoot it with a few coats of clean then stain.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
phavriluk
Posts: 554
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2012 9:49 pm

Re: finishing prep

Post by phavriluk »

Thanks, John.
peter havriluk
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