Quote:
Originally Posted by Camaro_QC
Wow they are really awesome! You are talented my friend! They look like they have been done by professionals, it is awesome to look at those pictures!
I hope I'm gonna start playing way more to justify the fact that I will make many more guitars in the future haha!! If not my girlfriend will definitely tell me that I have too much of them!
Do you do the finish yourself? As of now everything is planned for my build except for the finish. I don't exactly know where to go. I don't want to do a lacquer finish as I really like the look and feel of wood. I was thinking of an oil finish of some kind. But I want a "durable" finish.
What do you propose for that?
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Thank you!
Warning! Building is addictive!!!! But worth every bit of effort to be sure.
I do all my own finishing, yes. I use several different types depending on what wood, look I am going for etc. Obviously some are painted and some are dyed wood. Paint I use automotive lacquer for color coats (Duplicolor is best) then Nitro Lacquer clear over that.
Nitro Lacquer is one of my favorites....like my LP type, I used water based dyes (Stew Mac Color Tone) to make the burst, all done by hand with small cotton "ghost" balls, like a small ball of t-shirt with stuffing inside. Then I use one of two methods for top coat. Lester was nitro lacquer. Very durable, also what Gibson still uses today.
Second option, easy and can be done inside no matter the weather and such. Casey Birchwood Tru Oil. You simple apply using your finger, or a small wad of cotton and just keep layering coats. It will build up nicely, just 2 or so coats a day for several days and build up 12-20 coats. Each coat takes a minute or two, it is that easy.
Tru Oil can be buffed to a high gloss, or just scuff with 0000 steel wool for a satin finish. Very hard, very durable, the stuff is made for gun stocks.
All of my necks are Tru Oil only as I do not like glossy necks, they get sticky feeling with sweat and the friction on my hand builds up. Tru Oil leaves it smooth and slick yet feels almost like raw wood. Feels wonderful to play!
There are also several wipe on poly finishes, also easy and can be done indoors all year long, Minwax is a good one, high gloss or satin, both very easy and exceptionally durable. Minimal effort and great results without needing lots of skill or spray equipment. Many name brand guitars are done in wipe on poly these days. Also does not add any tint or color, just clear. You could also tint lacquer and wipe on poly to add color to it, it will be a translucent clear finish with color, also like many high end name brand guitars use today.
One note on tru oil, if on undyed, unstained wood it will add a slight amber tint to it, which is great to get a vintage look depending on what you use it over. So Maple for example will go from a bright, almost white to a slightly aged amber look, beautiful stuff.
Most of all, have fun!!!!