guitar2005 Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 I like the way that's coming along. The colour is very nice. For the binding fix, those can be tough to get to look seamless. On one of my latest projects, I just decided to cut and replace the section that was too thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted February 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 Thanks! I was lucky with the binding fix, as it could have ended as you say, replacing the piece or the whole thing. Looks fine now, and I got some experience which might come in handy later on. I think I might change the procedure on the next one, spraying one clear coat first on the bare wood, so the paint looks more uniform. I used a plain maple piece, which I like BTW, but the one or two flames it has are too visible when dying the wood directly. For the back, I'll stick with this, as this red color is very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted February 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2013 Making the truss rod cover template, while waiting for some dry weather... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted February 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 Sawed some more neck blanks, they tend to warp slightly, so I saw them in advance to give them some time to settle. I'm taking the bandage off tommorrow! No1 is ready for lacquer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted February 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Four clear coats on! It's some sort of a 2 component nitro-based lacquer with extra durability, I like it so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted February 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 ...and the result: I still like it, easy to work with and dries really fast. I'll let it dry until tommorrow, and level sand it, then some more coats, I think 3-4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 This is coming along nicely. I look forward to seeing how that finish levels and polishes up. I bet that back patio is pretty cool in the summer when the roof is all leafed out. Is that wisteria? SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted February 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Thanks Scott! I'm very curious about the end result, as I would like to improve my finishing skills on this, So far so good. Oh yes, I love that place! I have some fruit trees, a veggy garden, my dogs, the shop, huge barbecue works under the roof, and a big kitchen type room with a nice couch and its about 300m from my house! The roof is actually grapes, and we get a lot f grapes on them starting from august. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Grapes! How cool is that? You've got your man cave in the back yard! Awesome. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted February 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 Starting the truss rod covers - first I need to de-bend the abs strips prior to glueing them together. Some masking tape and a warm place for a while... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted February 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 Then cut them in pairs, and glued with CA. Next stop will be bandsaw. Started lock sanding, 800 grit, I think it's fine so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted February 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2013 Logo time! This is kinda primitive, but will do for this one time, I have to think of something better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted February 27, 2013 Report Share Posted February 27, 2013 Any relation to Ana? SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted February 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2013 No, it's a pretty common surname here, but my brother's wife's name is Ana Popovic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted February 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2013 Sprayed the logo, signed it, and decided that the signature is enough...OK, my wife said it's too much and I agreed Sanded the logo off, and resprayed the black, 2nd coat drying now, looks fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killemall8 Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 Dang, why all the scratches on the back of the headstock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted February 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 Not scratches exactly, but the lacquer was sinking weirdly in that area - I think it's some sort of shadows of thicknessing the headstock on my router. Not actual toolmarks, but some sort of change in the wood, perhaps a dull bit overheating or something... Anyway, sanded it all out yesterday... I should get a new wide bit and see if it happens again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 It just looks like your finish didn't flow out properly...no big deal you can just level it with sandpaper after it is fully cured.It can happen for any number of reasons including spraying temps,amount of thinner,proper spraying methods,etc... It is no easy feat to get your finish to flow out just right...just keep practicing and when you mess up just fix it with sandpaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted February 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 Thanks for the tip Wes! I'll try to play on scrap a bit more with the spray gun, my finishing is not as good as I would like.Sprayed anoyher 3 coats of clear this morning. Cut some back covers between the coats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted March 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Wes, you were right, it all leveled out nicely. After 3 more coats I sanded fm 270 to 800 with some soapy water (still on the guitar on the pics) and it's nice and flat now. I'd like one more coat and then I can start the final sanding/polishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted March 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2013 I think this is the final coat! Weather was great today, so I had a nice half an hour in the sun with the spray gun. While that was curing, I was fiddling with the truss rod cover cookie cuter. I tried to route one cover, but the mdf base cracked off in half, pic tommorow, but now I know that I want a bigger base, and that the base should be hardwood or plywood. Also, material should have the holes countersunk in advance, and obviously, proper guitar screws should be used... The actual bit to be used will be 45deg one, not this flush cutter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted March 4, 2013 Report Share Posted March 4, 2013 You don't want to spray in direct sunlight..it can crack your finish.Always stay in the shade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted March 4, 2013 Report Share Posted March 4, 2013 Damn. I've been away from this thread for a while! That top looks fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted March 4, 2013 Report Share Posted March 4, 2013 Got a nice gloss going too! SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted March 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2013 Thanks guys! Wes, thanks for the tip, didn't know that. Can it be used to advantage, ie if I wanted to have the finish somewhat cracked? I definitely learned a lot regarding finishing on this one, and already know what I could improve on the next. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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