Wood Stain on Poplar body - Finishing with Tung Oil Work in Progress

[Ardie]

Thought of Posting this DIY finishing on my current Stratocaster project.  :headbang1:
This might be a helpful thread for those planning to stain Poplar wood.
Not everybody will do staining on Poplar body, the reason why I decided to do Staining on this body is because wanted to do most of the job by myself.
Same goes with the neck finishing and nut slot work for LSR.. Its a big challenge for me as a newbie, but this project is good learning experience for me.

Wood Stain on Poplar body - Finishing with Tung Oil Work in Progress  :guitarplayer2:
Body: Poplar Warmoth standard Stratocaster
Wood Stain: Oil based American wallnut (Colron)
Preparation: Sanded to 220 to 320 then Scotch brite every application
Finishing: Tung Oil finish let it dry Sanded down with Sotch brite then again apply 2nd coat of Tung Oil.

 

[Ardie]

Day 2 DIY Body works finishing: Another day of Polishing sanding and another coat of Tung Oil.  :hello2:
After the 1st coat of Tung Oil dries, sanded it along the grain with Scoth Brite..
Then apply another coat of Tung Oil. I noticed the wood doesn't absorb much oil after the 1st coat, it's a good signs that the wood grain is already sealed.
I also notice the oil will spread evenly  :rock-on: Post some photo later today during 3rd coat application cheers!  ccasion14:

 

[Ardie]

Day 3 DIY Body works finishing: Another day of sanding and 3rd coat of Tung Oil.
Before applying the 3rd coat of Tung oil again I sanded the 2nd coat but this time I used 800 grit sand paper.
After Sanding I clean it with mineral spirit. Its clearly noticed thin layer of Tung Oil sealed the wood grain.
Happy with the result of sanding the surface with 800 grit, during 3rd coat application it was so easy and smooth and oil spreads evenly.
I plan after the 4th coat of Tung Oil i will buff to finish  :blob7: here are some of the photo after the 3rd coat  :rock-on:

 

[kboman]

I approve of this thread. It is relevant to my interests! :icon_thumright:

 

[Paul-less]

Beautiful. I prefer this look to any flame-top, exotic wood any day!

 

[Ardie]

Day 4 DIY Body works finishing: Another day of sanding and 4th coat of Tung Oil. "Its a good sunny day"

Before applying Tung oil again I sanded the 3rd coat to smoothen the surface I used 800 grit sand paper.
After Sanding I clean it with damp cloth with alcohol. Its clearly noticed thin layer of Tung Oil sealed the wood grain.
Happy with the result of sanding the surface with 800 grit, during 4th coat application it was so easy and smooth and oil spreads evenly.

Here are some of the photo taken after the 4th coat of Tung Oil dries....NEXT wax buffing cheer!

 

[DangerousR6]

Very nice Ardie, that's a nice piece of poplar.... :icon_thumright:

 

[bigguspickus]

"Sanded to a smooth 220 and ready for your finishing ideas!"

So, this is what they meant. Nice work, Ardie!

 

[Ardie]

"Sanded to a smooth 220 and ready for your finishing ideas!"
So, this is what they meant. Nice work, Ardie!

Biggus you probably seen this Body at the showcase its been there for a while after I decided to purchased it.

Day 5 Finishing and Polishing : Put it outside under the sun for about 30 mins to fully cure the 4 coats Tung Oil. Let it cool then Polish it to finish with Autosol.
As I said on previous days staining on POPLAR might not be the preferred finish. Since i wanted to learn DIY finishing i start it with the art of staining.
When i started on this project my goal is to keep my budget as low as possible, this body was the cheapest body at the showcase. I wanted to get it done with sunburst but 
i dont have the xtra budget for that particular finishing. Hope this is helpful to others wanted to do staining.
To summarize this finishing:
Warmoth Poplar: $129
Tung Oil:            $8
Wood Stain:        $10 American "Wallnut"
Scoth Brite:
Sand Paper:
Preparation: Sandin along the Grain with 400 and 800 during finishing
Wood Stain: Hand Rub
Tung Oil: Hand rub with 24 hrs curing between coats
Finishing: Autosol wax polishing compound.
Here are the Photos of the finish body, follow me on the neck finishing, LSR nut finishing and The full assembly cheers!  :hello2:

 

[rapfohl09]

Looks good Ardie! This was exactly how I got into guitar finishing :icon_thumright:

Yours is a much nicer piece of poplar though, they have really been bringing out some nice pieces lately.

 

[Ardie]

:blob7: Here are some Update for my Body Im quite busy lately  :hello2:

 

[Jusatele]

:blob7: Here are some Update for my Body Im quite busy lately  :hello2:

classic and sweet Ardie

 

[Ardie]

:blob7: UPDATES Here are some of the Photo of the DIY finish on POPLAR body after waxing and polishing  :hello2:
Still waiting for the other Pickguard to try it on cheers!

 

[lafromla1]

When you say Day 1, Day 2, etc... are you meaning actual calendar days or the # day you worked on it?  I am only asking because I thought tung oil took longer than a day to dry properly even if it is thinned out.  Did you use Pure Tung Oil or regular tung oil?

Looks great by the way  :hello2:

 

[Ardie]

When you say Day 1, Day 2, etc... are you meaning actual calendar days or the # day you worked on it?  I am only asking because I thought tung oil took longer than a day to dry properly even if it is thinned out.  Did you use Pure Tung Oil or regular tung oil?

Looks great by the way  :hello2:

The Label only say it was a Tung Oil but im sure it was thinned out. My first try was on a scrap wood let it dry for 24hrs. I normally do prep and Tung Oil application around 6pm once i came from work..  Previous day application was let it hang dry near the glass window as it progress day by day, coats after oats.. It might be the weather here in Singapore making it cure faster than expected.. Specially during weekend if i apply a coat of Tung oil and hang it dry near the window were there is bright glare it will dries faster..Now the finish is completely dries.