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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Williamstown, Melbourne, Australia, Earth!
    Age
    43
    Posts
    3

    Exclamation American Maple Finishes

    hi
    looking for a finish for the electric guitar i am building out of American Maple.
    i want something strong, industrial grade, so i won't ding it too badly, and also mirror finish if possible.
    i have never done more than a bit of vegie oil on a table before (looked pretty good, actually) so the easier the better, but i want it looking professional, not el cheapo.

    i am obviously doing it woodgrain, so nothing too thick that i will lose the grain, but not clear, as i want it to darken a few steps down (not too dark though)

    finally, how do i prep the timber before appling the coats, as i am sanding to 1600 where possible, but do i need a sealer/primer or anything?
    never done anything woodgrain, so usually use a pink primer, but obviously not possible.

    thanks in advance!




    ~*Axeman Out*~

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Kuranda, paradise, North Qld
    Age
    63
    Posts
    2,026

    Default

    Axeman,
    if you're looking for something strong and industrial grade then 7008 estapol is pretty hard to beat. It's a hard wearing 2 pack flooring finish that's been proven for over 30 years. You can apply a stain underneath (the instructions say not to stain, but that's for flooring) and from memory you use a thinned down brew as an undercoat/sealer. There are many other two pack finishes on the market now but the estapol is readily available and time proven.

    Mick
    "If you need a machine today and don't buy it,

    tomorrow you will have paid for it and not have it."

    - Henry Ford 1938

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Williamstown, Melbourne, Australia, Earth!
    Age
    43
    Posts
    3

    Default

    thanks for that!
    is 2pak easy enough to pick up? as i have never done anything like that before...
    are there any easier options with the same qualities?

    anyone got any other ideas? the more to choose from the better, yeah?




    ~*Axeman Out*~

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    0

    Default

    gituar have traditionaly been finished in Nitrocelulose lacquer. It is reasonably hard wearing & responsive to use.
    these days one of the precatalised lacquers would be good, if you were keen a two pack acid cure would be of intereest.

    I would stay away from the polyeurathane related finishes even the higher end ones as they will tend to dull the tone of the wood.

    and yess the finish can effect the sound of a gituar even a solid body electric.

    the more traditional lacquers are harder & crisper. I understand that they are more advantageous.
    if you are spraying, I hope you are spraying these allow real good flexibility with shading & toning. consider the traditional sunburst finish, sparyed toning round the outside.

    you will probably be looking for a more natural finish but manipulating the toning in some areas will get a real warm look.

    as for sanding 240 gritt is probably as far as you should go untill you get some finish on ( unless you are just oiling)
    you progress a little finer with the later coats but the smoothness comes from the finish or the treatment of the final coat.

    mirrotone do a precatalised lacquer thats pretty decent but you will need to buy 4litres. & the matching tints & stains will be in similar quantities.
    the precatalised lacquer are usualy clear (i mean clear).
    cheers

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Williamstown, Melbourne, Australia, Earth!
    Age
    43
    Posts
    3

    Default

    okay, i have gone with the 7008, but i have never used a 2pack, and i am a little intimidated by using it...
    how long do i have fro it to dry? is it thick, thin etc?

    of course the main question is HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO USE!!!!???
    please help me out, i really dont want to stuff this up...
    if you go to my website, i have photos of where i am up to
    www.axemangraphics.tk
    obviously look under the guitar link...




    ~*Axeman Out*~

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