dmraco
Master Member
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- 4,655
I have been told no more new guitars so I have done some soul searching and to sooth my desire to work on guitars, I have begun re-finishing existing guitars. The latest is my son's short scale warmoth bass. I was never 100% satisfied with the finish. It was my first solid color and really did not like it. It also "developed" a nasty blemish when a music stand fell on it and took it down to the bare wood.
Here is the Original project.
In the spirit of new things I and trying something different. I have always used Behlens stringed instrument lacquer. At $20 a quart, and the fact I either have to pay to ship it or drive 40 miles to purchase at a woodworking shop, it is a REAL PIA to use. I have read about success with Watco brand brushing lacquer. It can be purchased right up the road and cost me $9 a quart. Looks, smells and acts just like the Behlens. I thinned it as I have always done and seems to be fine so far.
I have sanded down the original finish with 400 grit and patched the damage. 1st order of business was to spray some color. I added some Bordeaux trans tint dye to the lacquer. It gave a nice hue, like a red wine...duh!!! the headstock is taken outside to really show it off.
Next was to use some of the metal flake I had left over from last build. I am spraying it heavy but letting the color show from under. I will have to deal with the decal. I will either put a new one over top or slightly sand off some flake around it to let it show thru.
I must say I am really digging this process of accenting colors under a flake. I will let it dry for a bit and hit it with some 600 grit. I like to knock down the flake before I start the clear. The flake can be rough and tough to bury. but with my new 1/2 price lacquer...I no longer need to be stingy!! :laughing8:
I will keep you posted.
Here is the Original project.
In the spirit of new things I and trying something different. I have always used Behlens stringed instrument lacquer. At $20 a quart, and the fact I either have to pay to ship it or drive 40 miles to purchase at a woodworking shop, it is a REAL PIA to use. I have read about success with Watco brand brushing lacquer. It can be purchased right up the road and cost me $9 a quart. Looks, smells and acts just like the Behlens. I thinned it as I have always done and seems to be fine so far.
I have sanded down the original finish with 400 grit and patched the damage. 1st order of business was to spray some color. I added some Bordeaux trans tint dye to the lacquer. It gave a nice hue, like a red wine...duh!!! the headstock is taken outside to really show it off.
Next was to use some of the metal flake I had left over from last build. I am spraying it heavy but letting the color show from under. I will have to deal with the decal. I will either put a new one over top or slightly sand off some flake around it to let it show thru.
I must say I am really digging this process of accenting colors under a flake. I will let it dry for a bit and hit it with some 600 grit. I like to knock down the flake before I start the clear. The flake can be rough and tough to bury. but with my new 1/2 price lacquer...I no longer need to be stingy!! :laughing8:
I will keep you posted.
