Finished my brother's parlor guitar!

[johnnparchem]

I had to pull off the veneer on the headstock so that I could get the logo centered. I was off about a 3/64th on the first one and it was just off enough so that no matter how many days I waited it still looked off. I ended up re-making the inlay as well because the old one was sanded thinner than I wanted. At least I am getting practice. The headstock is not perfect, I had a couple of rough spots trimming the new veneer. I think it will look OK once the guitar is finished (and nobody looks to close). This is my first scratch slotted headstock.

[David L]

You have indescribable patience and perserverance!!!

David L

[johnnparchem]

I finally get to start finishing. I put the side dots in the neck, finish sanded the guitar and put one coat of zpoxy on the back and sides.

[johnnparchem]

Bought my first RO sander a bosch something or another. I can see what I was missing. I never knew how nice using an RO sander with the vacuum hooked up could be. I completely leveled the back and sides, sanding through the zpoxy in areas to get low spots in my original prep work. The Zpoxy acted like the red dye I use to get as a kid when they wanted to show how badly I was brushing my teeth. I applied my second coat of zpoxy. There must have been some zpoxy left in the pores as the second coat took a lot less. The pores fill quickly on the Spanish cedar so I will sand this coat back to level and wipe with diluted zpoxy to finish the pore fill.

[David L]

Looks good John!

David L

[johnnparchem]

Thanks,

This is getting fun. I was going to top with Amber shellac before spraying EM6000, but the wood darkened so nicely that I will make up some blond shellac. I think the back is done I will lightly sand the sides one more time and put thinned Zpoxy on for the last coat. I still have to do the neck I have been mucking around with it getting the neck shape so that it feels right in my hand.

[johnnparchem]

Last coat on the neck (thinned 10% with alcohol)

[johnnparchem]

It has been awhile setting up the shop with my brother guitar waiting for the spray booth. But I was able to spray 4 coats of Colortone water based lacquer today. I will let it sit over night and tomorrow I will knock off the few drips that I have and make sure I am close to level.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Okay John, I see you are using an Earlex HVLP. I have been looking at that rig. Please tell us what you think of it?
I was given a very high dollar (like new, but very old model) HVLP gun to use with my air compressor, but I would like to get away from using the compressor; bulky and I have to move it from my garage to the back yard to my portable spray booth for spray, and the condensation is a nuisance and potential problem.
I am most interested in an evalutation of this Earlex model if you have time.

Kevin

[johnnparchem]

I like the Earlex HV5500. I do not have any experience on any other spray equipment so it is hard for me to do a comparison. The sprayer is well made, easy to disassemble and clean and has the option for a variety of spray needles. All of the components seem nicely machined. I used the 1.0 needle when spraying the violin varnish. I am using the 1.5 for the WB lacquer. The only adjustment is the needle, so there is not an option to control the size of the spray pattern, just the amount of finish sprayed. The tool comes with the 2.0 out of the box, so count the addition spray needles into the cost. It is easy to get additional accessories like spray needles and paint pots.
I adjust it to I can spray on a wet coat that does not drip. Once adjusted it spray a very even consistent pattern. I’ve sprayed 1 guitar with KTM-SV 2 violins with Behlen Violin Varnish and 1 complete guitar with Colortone WB.

You are correct that it is really handy and self contained.