sanding and filling a contoured VIP

[kdownes]

My black korina VIP arrived today (AAAAAA!!) and I'm curious if folks have some advice for sanding and filling a body with contours and recessed control routs.  This is my first warmoth build and any tips and tricks would be most welcome.  I've ordered a block of cork to use for sanding and some 3M scotchbrite pads (grey and white).  I have a squeegee for the filler, but perhaps something else would be better for the contours and control routs.  The plan for this body is to fill with either clear or black filler, then most likely tru-oil.  I'm testing some pieces of korina now to decide between the fillers, and I'll post some in progress pics once I've made some (so far both black and clear are looking pretty awesome -- it's going to be a tough choice).  For now, here she is:

The neck is black korina, also:

And I can't resist including a picture of the back -- love that stripe!

 

[JaySwear]

can't answer your question but WOW that body is awesome! thats going to be an awesome neck / body combo. love the strat headstock for that.

 

[-CB-]

On any flat surface, and any surface that has a simple radius, sanding block works.  For outside radii, just use a flat block evenly.  For inside radii, you use the rounded edge of a block.  Simple radii are those with only one curve, ie inside the cutaway, or the tummy cut or similar, where there is a curve in one direction, not a dish.

To do the dishes... (ahem) you'll need to just use your fingers, and try to be very even with it.

 

[kdownes]

Thanks, CB.  I can round off one edge of my cork block for a good rounded surface.

can't answer your question but WOW that body is awesome! thats going to be an awesome neck / body combo. love the strat headstock for that.

Thanks!  When the sale happened, I couldn't resist.  After emailing with Bob @ Warmoth the strat headstock emerged as the best option for avoiding tremolo/tuning issues since I wanted to use a Wilkinson trem and a regular nut.  I grabbed some images off the showcase pages to make composites with VIP bodies and strat necks with some image editing software, and thought the VIP body and strat headstock looked good together.  Glad you agree!