Zebra & Mahogany finish, advice needed !

[Updown]

Hi all  :glasses9:

This is my 1st try at making a guitar. Already own a few !

I'm getting Mahogany body with Zebra wood top, was going to just use standed Amber shellac all over.
Except the neck, as thats Maple & will be already finished in 'Vintage Tint Satin Nitro"

Just wondering anyones thoughts on this !…..
The Zebra wood has nice even striping, nothing thick or twisted. Can't show pic, haven't got as yet. Ordered thou  :toothy10:

Also I was thinking of adding a colour tint (Vintage Amber) to shellac, or similar like these….
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Colors,_tints,_and_stains/ColorTone_Liquid_Stains.html

Also wondering if I need this stuff as well,…..
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Fillers_and_putties/Timbermate_Wood_Filler.html?tab=Pictures#details
Would this make the Zebra grain stand out more, say using the 'Rosewood' or 'Mahogany'

I want to make sure the Zebra wood stands out nicely. Thats why I immediately 1st thought of 'Shellac'
Any thoughts or wisdom on this much appreciated.

Thanks & Cheers  :icon_biggrin:  :icon_biggrin:

 

[Cagey]

If you want to fill the grain, and you should, don't use a tinted filler on the zebra. It tends to hide what makes zebra attractive and make it unremarkable. So, use a clear filler. Also, don't use the Colortone stuff from StewMac; it's kukka. It's so thin, it takes a million coats to have any effect. You want Behlen's stuff, which you can get here and there, although it's tough to find on the street outside of specialty woodworker supply stores.

 

[Patrick from Davis]

If you are going to use shellac, Zinsser wax free sanding sealer shellac is good stuff.  You can get clear and amber.  Then you can put a coat or two of clear to seal the wood, tint with the amber to taste, and finish off with clear.  Out of personal experience, if you get a rattle can for a nice smooth top coat, it comes out of the rattle can real quick.
Patrick

 

[Updown]

Sorry for delay……Thanks for your input

Well it is here now & have started bits & pieces. 

1st up I'm using Lemon Yellow De-waxed shellac & have some clear (De-waxed) shellac for final coats.
Got that from....http://www.shellac.net/

But I can't buy the stuff you have mentioned for filling the grain.
I'm in Sydney, Australia & No one will ship this (Hazardous) stuff to Down-Under.

Can't seem to find anything similar to this, down here either.

Now NOT sure what to use now as you said Not to use StewMac Timber Mate Filler (which I could get posted) Not hazadous

I would like a clear grain filler…………Any Help or idea's ?

Thanks heaps all.  :icon_biggrin:

Found this stuff.....http://www.guitaraust.com.au/finishing/wood-fillers.html
Probably find somewhere.....Googleing !
This mob don't post either But in Australia....http://www.rustins.com.au/rustins/rustinsproducts%20p1.htm
The closest store is Not close at all......Bummer

 

[Cagey]

Some guys have had some success with using either cyanoacrylate or an epoxy compound, both of which should be readily available anywhere. It's probably worth a search here on the forum - I think CB has used these methods before.