johntbyrne

Just curious but why the Carvin bashing if that is what this is? I can't comment on this bridge since I've never seen it other than to say it look good in the pics. IMHO more options is better even if the option has been done before. I don't get it ?? Again, don't own and may never own a Carvin ... just curious. Cheers all John

Searched and can't find out how to make this. Found one site suggesting it is made from different colors so it looks different from different angles. How???

BTW, if it even gets close to the wet pic thats going to be killer looking!!!

Bought from Buzz as well and got nice stuff. Sorry yours wasn't as good as you hoped but from the pic (even wet) I suspect this will look nice when finished. Most figured woods don't look like much when dry. They get better often when sanded but really shine when the finish is applied. I have some flame maple I'm doing test strips with right now. Flame is drastically better when stain is applied and even better yet when Lacquer went on. Suggest you cut some of the "scrap" area and do some tests. Finish is clear only and maybe flip and try some stain or dye and then clear. You may still hate it but you may love it. Good luck and let us know.

First round for Krylon Lacquer test complete. Went on just like Duplicolor IMHO. Other than smell can't tell any difference. I have 8 layers in 2 combos. First, no sanding, second followed general advice on when to sand. Second looks better in final coat and will be MUCH easier to finish. Spray pattern was round but smooth. I'd say duplicolor was just as smooth but I think I like the spray pattern of Duplicolor better (fan). Did go to 1500 sanding on Duplicolor and buffed. Looks perfect. BTW, spraying outside with air moving from my back so no I don't normally smell it. Obviously not good to smell so kids don't do that at home.

Decided to go for it, if nothing else for my own education. May turn out worthless (translated, probably will turn out worthless). list thus far for test 1. Deft (nitro ?) lacquer 2. Rustoleum (acrylic ?) lacquer 3. Krylon (?) lacquer - note sprayed some tonight, smell different from duplicolor 4. Duplicolor (acrylic ?) lacquer 5. Miniwax gloss PolyU 6. Reranch nitro lacquer List of tests thus far as listed in first post. Questions 1. Will maple be fine for test samples? 2. Should I leave Maple light, stain dark, or stain very dark? 3. Would some flame be good? I think so and can search boards and get some 4. What additional clear gloss can sprays would you like to see tested? Only stipulation is it must be easy to get for everyone (ie, reranch, HD, WalMart, etc) 5. What additional tests can I do? 6. Anyone know how to determine hardness of a paint?

Yea, thinking of doing this for experience and fun. If it helps someone else then all the better. With respect to Reranch, I've read how good it is but I've also read different opinions about nitro vs acrylic lacquers in general (not talking about reranch specific now). I really don't know right now which is harder/better. I would also like to include spray polyU. BTW, for what its worth duplicolor nozzle sprayed better than any can I've sprayed to date, IMHO.

First sorry for so many posts and thanks for all your help. I'm trying different spray can clear gloss lacquers. WIth respect to spray cans only, do you think there may be a way to determine which is better? Here is my idea. 1. Get one can of each type easily bought via stores like Wal-Mart, Home Depot, reranch, stewmac, etc. 2. Run test, spray in a container and weigh a set amount. Pour on surface and tilt. Measure run 3. Spray for a set time and weigh to determine spray rate 4. Determine nozzle pattern 5. Spray and then add second coats after x minutes to determine min time between coats. make test plates and let cure (some tests may be subjective) 5. Sand test area to see how quick it sands 6. Polish and check final product 7. Measure thickness (I think a friend of a friend will let me use his paint mill device, not sure how it works but you put it on the surface and it gives you an answer) 8. Measure hardness after x time (?????) 9. Scratch resistance test (???? maybe weighted tip, scratch and measure depth) 10. Bad scratch and then sand/fill test for future repairs Ok, would this be helpful to anyone and if so what tests above should I do and what have I missed? I'm an engineer and like doing this kind of stuff so I think it would be fun regardless of outcome.

After reading again I did make it sound like there was a whole tutorial on just pickup painting. Sorry about that.

You can buy this at Wal-Mart. Ok, so I've been spending waaayyy too much time looking at paint at Wal-Mart he he he.

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/painttnt.htm Only a few sentences at bottom of page.

Got some info from a guy who I think can be trusted. He researched and found that this is acrylic lacquer (also Deft is nitro meaning if right you can buy both nitro and acrylic lacquer at Wal-Mart). Going to test it as I did with Duplicolor, just wondering if anyone has used and can comment.

Thus far I've tested with good luck the Duplicolor lacquor sold in auto section of Wallyworld for $3something a can. While at a salvage store last night found this. Got 5 cans for $1.69 a can (all they had). If not right for guitars thats cool, have other projects. Anyone hav experience with it or know what type of lacquer it is?

I'm going to veneer the headstock on my project and have similar fears along with finishing fears. Thus, I got extra veneer and will make a couple of test heads from scrap wood and practice. In fact I'm trying to validate all my skills needed before cutting the first board. I'm doing stain/finish now on test flame maple (1x2 board bought believe it or not at Home Depot for $6 plus change, 8' board, lots of practice pieces) BTW, till I practice and know I can "do it" I accept that I AM totally incompetent so anything can/will happen if I don't practice. At least this is how I feel (grin).

Just read Brians tutorial on subject and this came to mind. While looking for different brands of lacquer I noticed Rustoleum has a spray paint designed for plastic, fusion I believe. Anyone try it?

Shorter to type yes but not near as much fun to say Bought a can of Duplicolor lacquer. Used a piece of unsealed scrap pine (yes you heard me right, hey all I had scrap). Took 3 thin coats to seal the wood. Then started building up. I put on 4 coats, 3 light and last very thick. Sanded with course paper (again all I had at the moment, I think 120). Final coat went on good. There are some sand marks as expected but the unpolished finish is good. I can see some shine and some reflection. It is very smooth to the touch. I think this will work jusssst fine. Did have one run before final coat and it sanded out fine too. I'll let it cure a week and then polish to see what happens but so far I think I have the winner. BTW, took the wood to work today to show a friend. My truck smells like a new guitar.

Bought a can of Duplicolor for a little over $3 at wallyworld tonight. Going to spray a piece of scrap wood to see how it does. Will be good practice if nothing else. Thanks all John

I have a bookmatched set of redwood around here somewhere with about the same flame. It is VERY light. When you get it let me know if it is very light too. My only concern with my pieces is it seems easy to ding, kind of like basswood but maybe even softer. Is this normal for flamed redwood?

BTW, isn't the internet great!!!!!!

Since that one worked forget the next two (grin). no pics, not built yet, just getting started. Run down Neck, center 1/2" black walnut with outer being hard maple with some flame. Rear wings, black walnut with nice grain for horns Headstock, flame maple veneer fretboard, have very nice cocobolo but may change due to glue problems top Beautifulllllll single (not bookmatched) maple very flamed, nice As is will be heavy and bright so taking (spreadsheet calculation) 0.84 lbs out in chambers for final body weight of 4.31 calculated (should be very close, have wood and weighed it, got density, calculated volume in cad, etc). Should make it warmer too. Is the mechanical engineer in me showing .... grin .... Thanks for kind words. I'm sure I'll post when done. BTW, did a 1/4 scale model of body and part of neck using florist foam. Looks awsome IMHO Don't have much time to work so will probably be summer when finished. Hey, this is for fun so time isn't an issue. Cheers, thanks for the kind words again, and great luck and success with yours John

Sorry, Just realized I didn't do a purge so all the line types and layer info was attached, and I tend to use lots. Got original down to 2meg and head stock to 150k. Sending these now. Should be much better. May want to ignore first unless you have a fast connection.

Well its on its way. I'll dump everything but the headstock and send again. I can get the size down. Hold on.

I forgot just how many polylines I used in this drawing. Makes for a huge DXF. I cut a bunch out and file is still huge. I don't have broadband so its uploading right now. Will be coming your way in about 20 minutes. FIles is about 13 meg. DWG with everything is about 3meg. DXF isn't best way to do this I guess but I had it started before I realized just how big the file is and figured I let it go on. Darn, I hope you can get it and it works. Let me know.

Visited Walley World again. There are several different lacquors actually in the store. The Rustoleum of course, one by I think it was Deaf in the paint section. and another in automotive. Can't remember brand (duh). This one and only this one stated that it is acrylic lacquor. Oh yea, they had yet another brand in the discontinued section. Yep, 4 brands in one store. I suspect most automotive parts stores will have some too. Home Depot sells the Rustoleum. I may get a can of each and do some testing. Prices are great, most expensive was just over $4/can and no shipping. Cheapest was just over $2. One had a warning that it contained ether. Any idea what type of lacquor this would make it? I think a poll is in order. If you use spray cans where do you get it and what is it? Thanks John

BTW, mine isn't a straight but has only a slight bend. Just couldn't come up with one I like in 3+3 and straight.