Clean Line

[Paul-less]

So I've been looking at a top secret body for the last 6 months, and I think I'm gonna pull the trigger.

I want to finish the top, but leave the back with a clear coat. I was thinking of taping off the entire cap, shooting the back with nitro, then dying the top. Is it as simple as it sounds? Or will the dye seep down under the nitro where unfinished meets finished?

I've never done a body that isn't ONE finish all the way around, so the concept is kind of new to me. I was gonna get a chunk of mahogany and maple, glue them together, and do a test run, but I was kicked out of my highschool's woods lab, seeing as I graduated 3 weeks ago. They apparently don't want me around....

 

[Patrick]

that sounds complicated
how about you dye the top first and then shoot the entire thing in clear nitro  :dontknow:

 

[dmraco]

either way, you can avoid the dye from running. 

I usually followed patrickss method.  Tape off the area you do not want dyed.  Dye the top.  DO NOT HAVE THE RAG dripping with dye.  Rub the finish in...not soak!  I always use water based dyes too.  Not sure if that means anything.

Once you have achieved the look you want, remove the tape.

IF any dye seeped under you can hit it carefully with some sandpaper and it will come right off.  I have done several bodies like this and hardly every had seepage....see

 

[bagman67]

either way, you can avoid the dye from running. 

I usually followed patrickss method.  Tape off the area you do not want dyed.  Dye the top.  DO NOT HAVE THE RAG dripping with dye.  Rub the finish in...not soak!  I always use water based dyes too.  Not sure if that means anything.

Once you have achieved the look you want, remove the tape.

IF any dye seeped under you can hit it carefully with some sandpaper and it will come right off.  I have done several bodies like this and hardly every had seepage....see

Okay, now you're just showin' off.

 

[Paul-less]

Yea, like that! Just I would want the sides of the cap colored too. I may have to try your way first. It sounds more forgiving...

 

[Cagey]

Okay, now you're just showin' off.

He's entitled to. That's a fine piece of work. Besides, it's evidential proof of concept.

 

[dmraco]

I will say this...not sure what your "top secret body" is....but this work was on a flat top LPS...very easy to tape.  Anything with a contoured body...strat...etc can be done too, but will take some more patience when taping.

BTW...Thanks for the compliments...

 

[erogenousjones17]

Could this, by any chance, be your "top-secret body"?    http://www.warmoth.com/Showcase/ShowcaseItem.aspx?Body=2&Bass=1&Path=Body&i=m528

 

[dNA]

Could this, by any chance, be your "top-secret body"?    http://www.warmoth.com/Showcase/ShowcaseItem.aspx?Body=2&Bass=1&Path=Body&i=m528

While that would be awesome, he mentioned mahogany in his testing, not alder. So i would guess not

 

[erogenousjones17]

Oops, I missed that. I was too busy trying to be cool...  :laughing7:

 

[Paul-less]

lol I am not telling ANYBODY, just because I'm afraid of karma, voodoo, lack of knocking on wood, ect.

Don't worry, I've grown fond of this forum, so I'll be sure to post many pictures once I have the guitar in my hands....

 

[bagman67]

Okay, now you're just showin' off.

He's entitled to. That's a fine piece of work. Besides, it's evidential proof of concept.

I should have been more clear:  That's indeed an EXCELLENT reason to show off, and beautiful.