Strat body...solid piece of black korina......need ur help...please

[BrianQ823]

    Hi all.....I am a newbie at this so please bear with me...I have a strat style one piece black korina body and would like some help from you pros with info on finishing it. I like the pics I've seen of tung oil with wipe on satin poly for protection. Could I get some recommendations on filler if needed before or after tung oil, sanding before finish (400 or ?), during finish and after finish, brand of tung oil and poly to use, etc. I hope to do this one once with no regrets. Might even try a my tele body if this comes out good. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!!  :icon_smile: Thanks in advance for your time and advice.

      Brian

 

[Patrick from Davis]

Korina has some details to take care of.  First you have probably noticed that the grain is rather prominant.  If you want it fill completely, it will take some effort.  Next, it has quite a bit of oil on it already.  Not such a problem if you apply an oil finish, but for a poly style finish the oil can be problematic.  It is best to wipe it down with naptha (outside to keep you healthy) several times, 3-5 times, or until the cloth or paper towel does not show coloration from whatever it is that the naptha removes.  Then fill with a filler and finish.  Fillers are a pain, and I am sure others will chime in on them.  For Tung oil, the pure stuff is generally liked around here.  The first coat you generally cut with some naptha so that it penetrates better.  Rockler makes pure stuff.  It might exude out after you have put it on, but just wipe it smooth.  It reacts with air to make a finish, and you just have to wait for it to do it's thing.  The other all in one finish is Watcos Danish oil.  Apply, and sand while wet.  Fills the grain with a Danish Oil/Wood slurry.  Wipe down after sanding.  DangerousR6 did a body like this, look up his post for more detail.  Good luck
Patrick

 

[bpmorton777]

I put whipe-on poly over tung oil on my warmoth (after letting the tung oil dry for a month) worked fine but both the tung oil and whipe-on poly are pretty soft finishes.

Brian

 

[BrianQ823]

I appriciate the responses so far! I have opted to sand down to 600 and then apply tung oil but I cant decide if I want to use the filler first or not. I can include pics if others would like to see the process on this one. I did ask some cabinet guys that work with many different exotic woods including this one, and they said that if I didn't mind the "graineyness" I should try the finish without using any type of filler. I was shown a piece of Black Korina used in a house they were working in in Aspen and it looked unique to say the least. The grain of the wood was showing as a texture through the clear coat. I will start on the finish in a bit; once I can make a decision. :tard:  Sooooo....much nice stuff to look at and so few bodies made of Black Korina to finish! Thanks again for the input!!!!!! :toothy12:

 

[bbl4ck]

I can include pics if others would like to see the process on this one. :toothy12:

First, welcome to the forum.  Sounds like you are on your way to a nice build...

Second, OF COURSE WE WANT PICS.
There is a saying on this forum; Pics, or it does not exist. 

Good luck on your build &  :rock-on: