coldbeer

One thing to know about is that if you buy just a cheap soldiering iron pencil that isn't thermal regulated it will keep getting hotter and hotter until its really too hot to soldier with.

I envy those who can take a piece of wood and make it look like glass. I have my talents, but fine wood finishing isn't one of them.

Here's a recipe I used to get an acceptably good result on a very very rough strat body:

1) Sand down finish to wood.

2) Use Bondo and put a thin coating over front and back.

3) Sand bondo with 100 grit sandpaper with orbital sander.

4) Use 180 grit sanding sponge to finish smooth - bondo is very easy to get smooth.

5) Spray with 3 coats of Rust-oleum "Hammered" unique Spray paint - following instructions on can - No primer needed goes on great over bare wood, bondo, and other paint.

6) Let dry for 2 days.

7) Spray with polyurethane clear gloss finish.

The guitar body will have the hammered metal look as on the cap of the rust-oleum.