Finishing advice Ash

[Strungout]

Here we go again,

I am going to use some water soluble dyes on some open grain ash then French Polish it with Hard Shelac to try to achieve a sunburst finish.

Are these steps correct...

1) Fine Sand
2) Sanding Sealer (U-Beaut)
3) Sand
4) Grain Filler (Timbermate Neutral )- ( Dye added to filler to enhance grain) ???

5)Sand.
6)Damp over surface with water.
7)First dye colour (3 colour sunburst finish)
8)Second dye colour
9)third Dye colour
10)Hard shelac (French polish)
Etc Etc

Any advice please .

Thanks

Greg

[ubeaut]

That all looks pretty reasonable to me. However, I would be doing a trial piece first, just to be sure it all works as expected. You may need a coat of SS over the timbermate then another wipe over with 1200 or similar. This will seal the filler slightly so it won't absorb too much colour. or be softened by the addition of more water.

[Strungout]

Mr "Ubeaut" Neil,

Thanks for your prompt advice again .I went out and picked up some of your superior products today (And I do mean that) and I will have a play around with some scrap ....

See how we go

Cheers

Greg

[acmeman]

Hi, I didn't want to start a new thread considering my Q is about finishing Ash.
Hope you don't mind strungout.

I'm putting together a bass guitar with a solid ash body. I've done some Google searching and come across the usual answers
to problems us amateurs face with guitar finishing products in Australia. I'm not set up to spray so doing by hand seems to be the answer.

I have some (white) Timbermate to use as a grain filler and sealer and want to either dye the wood white with wood dye or use a thinned
white paint. I'd like to end up with a shiny finish but because of the lack of tools and space it looks like Danish Oil might be the
best option for me.

Will the Danish oil discolor or darken the white?

this is the effect I'm aiming for http://www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/model-SR2010ASC

Is there another finish method I could try?

What do you guys think?

[acmeman]

I think I'll go for a thin shellac as a sealer then tru-oil after reading through the LMI page
on finishing with tru-oil and also reading up on Kathy Matsushita thanks for the link guys.

[AngelaPetruzzi]

Hi Have a look at the web site screaming eagle guitars. he has used the Livos oils, finished by hand and has achieved such a beautiful gloss finish. he has some amazing fine details that you can check out on Musical Instruments - Livos Australia
Livos has a white oil as well. it may or may not get the depth of white you want but you can manipulate it to a degree. leave the timber rougher to allow max penetration of pigment then continuously fine sand to achieve the fine glossy finish.

[acmeman]

Hi Have a look at the web site screaming eagle guitars. he has used the Livos oils, finished by hand and has achieved such a beautiful gloss finish. he has some amazing fine details that you can check out on Musical Instruments - Livos Australia
Livos has a white oil as well. it may or may not get the depth of white you want but you can manipulate it to a degree. leave the timber rougher to allow max penetration of pigment then continuously fine sand to achieve the fine glossy finish.

Thanks for that link, after reading about Livos White Oil Sealer its not suitable for Ash unfortunately. Screaming Eagle do use some beautiful Australian woods, don't they!
My dream bass one day will be from Aussie woods.

[acmeman]

I'll throw in a few other ideas I've come across from other builders.


Minwax Wood Conditioner
Minwax White Wash Pickling Stain
Tru-Oil

The amber of the tru-oil will give a vintage tint to the white wash.

Another option is Minwax Wipe On Poly