This is going to be fun!

[bbl4ck]

what is the back wood?  It seemed to have taked the dye well.

The back is a one piece alder...

 

[Alfang]

Did you just do that in your laundry room and use your wifes good shirt?

 

[Mor Paul]

Did you just do that in your laundry room and use your wifes good shirt?

She'd better not complain; that's a free Tonar finished piece of clothing.
And I just remembered out fairly long discussion on semicolons.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

You should see him do Easter Eggs.

 

[dmraco]

Tonar...I usually mix my dyes with water.  I have used lacquer thinner in the past too.  What advantage does lacquer thinner and lacquer retarder have???

 

[Tonar8352]

There are a few advantages. The mixture of lacquer thinner and retarder does not raise the grain like water will.  The retarder in the mix allows for a little more open time so it is easier to work with. 

 

[dmraco]

thanks for the tip.  I will be watching this one closely.

Do you see a big difference withthe MEK dyes and the StewMac stuff?

 

[Tonar8352]

I have not used the StewMac dyes. Sorry.

 

[Nando Vallart]

LEAVE IT AS IT IS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[phred]

What kind of prep did you do to the body prior to staining? I love your work. The torch job is my fave!

Scott

 

[Tonar8352]

What kind of prep did you do to the body prior to staining?

I wipe the wood down with a wet rag to pop the grain and after it dries I sand it with Norton 320 Champagne sandpaper.  I steam up any dings that are in the wood with a soldering iron and a damp rag then sand it one last time.  After that I wash it down with Naphtha, blow it off real good with an air gun and then stain it. 

 

[phred]

Did you have to fill any end grain on the horns or sides?

Scott

 

[Tonar8352]

This is alder and maple, I do not use grain filler on them.

 

[jackthehack]

thanks for the tip.  I will be watching this one closely.

Do you see a big difference withthe MEK dyes and the StewMac stuff?

I don't care for the StewMac dyes personally, have tried them and colors seem "muted" if that makes any sense....

Finding MEK dyes in small quantities can be a total pain in the ass. Mixol makes some great dye concentrates with more vibrant colors, mix well with lacquer thinner in the manner in which Tonar is demonstrating and are readily available from Woodcraft stores or their online store: http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2005522/MIXOL-Universal-Tints.aspx

 

[DangerousR6]

Anybody ever use either of these... :dontknow:

 

[Tonar8352]

Step #2  I wet the top with a damp rag and then lightly sanded it after it was dry with very a worn out Klingspor 320 sanding sponge.  Next I hit it with a stronger blend of the dye to really pop the soft grain and this is what it looks like.  Next I'll shoot some Canary Yellow shading lacquer over the whole body to brighten the yellow up.  

 

[Death by Uberschall]

:headbang1:

 

[m4rk0]

Fantastic! Ironically, the way it looks right now, is what I am trying to accomplish with my current project..

 

[Nando Vallart]

JESUS!

 

[Tonar8352]

Step #3 Shoot the Canary Yellow shading lacquer.  Next will be some clear coats to get it level for the burst. The alder looks real nice with the yellow shading lacquer too.