(Non-Warmoth) GFS 335 Kit Thread Relocated

[Magicbisket]

Relocated the thread for the 335 build to work in progress since i'm actually doing stuff now. Anyways, been testing out finish. Will post pics once I have something presentable. (First time ever finishing)

-D.T. Latty

 

[Magicbisket]

I've been testing out the finish on this strip of flame maple from woodcraft. Kinda a poor piece but all they had. Anyways I'm getting an issue where whenever I sand back the dye, it reveals these grain lines which havent seem to have taken color going perpendicular to the flame. Is this normal, should I not sand back the last coat before I lacquer? How can I fix this?

Thank you,

-D.T. Latty

 

[dmraco]

post a photo. some grains will not take the dye as easy.  I usually mix thr 1st coats of dye with water.  This lifts the grain a bit.  I then sand and do the next coats mixed in alcohol.

 

[Pelagaard]

This project gets the brain working everytime I see it, really makes me want to make one myself.  However, it just dawned on me that there's no rear access cover to remove to assist with wiring...  How the hell are you supposed to make all the connections and the put everything in place?  I forsee much cursing and breaking of things in frustration if I tried doing that with my bearpaw hands.

 

[dmraco]

They are basically a PIA.  You "simply" design and sodder the harness together.  Make all the connections except the pickups.  Put everything in place and attach the pickups to a lead wire you attached to the pots, etc.

Hope you have small fingers to fish everything thru the F holes.  Maybe get someone from the female persuasion to help.  As long as she doe not have "man hands."

Have fun.

 

[Magicbisket]

Well I started dying two days ago. With the results it gave me, I really didn't trust the black basecoat idea so I just mixed a bit of black in the blue to give me a color like I wanted. The grain is more subtle but I actually wanted subtlety so I'm happy. One big issue I really wish I would have caught was glue. There is a rather large glue line down the entirety of the back body. Now I have ideas of how I can cover this up, but I need to know, is there anything I could have did to avoid this. I didn't see the glue before I put on the body but now It's obvious. I don't want the same thing to happen to the body if I can avoid it so I'd love some input in how to avoid this.

Regardless I'll post some pics in a second.

A few areas didn't take color terribly well but he majority did, and when wet with naphtha, the areas don't seem hardly noticeable.

Also thinking about taking the studs out before I go and finish the top, best way to?

Thank you,

-D. T. Latty

 

[swarfrat]

Well I started dying two days ago.

Here's hoping you finish before kicking the bucket. Dyeing perhaps?

 

[Magicbisket]

Pics

Without Naptha

With Naptha

As you can see, heavy glue line. Almost works as a binding but too rough. Considered doing a pinstripe over it or maybe a dry brush on dye in the lacquer. Just want to avoid it on the front.

 

[dmraco]

Wow.  Surprised at the amount of flame. The glue line is a bugger.  You would have to sand that off but may burn thru the lam.  I doubt it is full thickness

I like the pinstripe idea.  Could you mask it off and spray it?? If you try to paint dye it will likely leach into the surrounding wood.  Or you could get a lacquer paint and apply with brush but you will feel that too.

Can you post a clearer photo?

 

[Magicbisket]

Due to poor lighting, shakey hands, and odd camera settings, a clear picture proved difficult, so here's my best of blurry ass shots.

... I'm not a bad artist, maybe I'll try drawing the damn thing.

Thacuz,

-Bershmegy

 

[Magicbisket]

So anyone have an idea how to tell whether or not I'll have this problem on the front of the guitar? I didn't notice it before so how would I now?

 

[dmraco]

So anyone have an idea how to tell whether or not I'll have this problem on the front of the guitar? I didn't notice it before so how would I now?

can you see it with naptha?  you may want to run some 400 grit just to be sure.  go lightly so you do not burn thru the maple.

 

[dmraco]

So anyone have an idea how to tell whether or not I'll have this problem on the front of the guitar? I didn't notice it before so how would I now?

can you see it with naptha?  you may want to run some 400 grit just to be sure.  go lightly so you do not burn thru the maple.

also...I would leave the studs in.  simply place masking tape ever them and use a blade to go around the outside of the stud.

I have even put corks in my and dyed/cleared over top.

 

[Magicbisket]

The studs I did remove for sake of sake, very easily and with no a spec of damage to the wood.

I wiped it thoroughly with naphtha, attempting to see any glue spots, and saw none, however that did not serve as the case when I dyed. I chose not to used a rough sandpaper as the flame is rather thin and I found using such course sandpaper on the scrap flame caused some scratches that were near impossible to remove.

Not as bad a glue line, not nearly. Although a few other glue spots. query if I spot sand the area before lacquering and brush back in dye, could that fix, or at least help the spot? As well could I still try to brush over scuffed lacquer.

I didn't expect anything perfect when I started this, in fact I just want a guitar I can actually play. My current needs too many repairs.

Just want to make the best of it.

Thank you,

-D.T. Latty

 

[Scotty2Hotty]

Well, I think it's an absolutely lovely looking guitar, keep up the great work. I cant wait to see it finished.

 

[Scuffcakes]

If you're worried about the dye not sticking to a glue line, why not just shoot it with a coat of vinyl sealer before the dye?  Then dye over the vinyl to get even dye coverage over everything.

 

[bagman67]

That will work with a tinted lacquer or poly coat, but not with dye - the dye needs to actually penetrate the surface of the lumber to look the way it's supposed to.  The colored-clear-coat approach does not give the same kind of intensity to the figuring in the maple.

 

[Magicbisket]

What do you guys propose I do. I'm not terribly opposed to a rear pinstripe but I'd prefer not to. Sanding seems risky with such a heavy line and a thin flame top. I don't mind, especially on the spots, for it to look slightly off. As long as it's better, imperfection is part of wood, a part I like.

So recommendations?

 

[Scuffcakes]

I did dye wiped over vinyl sealer on my LP here.  Just used TransTint mixed in alcohol.  Gives a very even color.

 

[dmraco]

send tonar an IM.  I defer to him at all times.