What would the negative consequences of staining a guitar body and using no polyeurothane or clear coat of any type be? I am not happy with the clear coat on my strat body and I am having it removed. I want to give it a light grey-blue (like maybe a faded denim color) stain, almost like a grey wash with a blue tint, but very transparent so the wood grain shows through nicely, and I want no glossy look at all.
Any info appreciated, I know absolutely nothing about clear coating wood and guitar finishes.
I know Danish Oil worked very well on some oak lamps I made. Very smooth finish and a nice sheen without the gloss. I would talk to a luthier and ask what oil they use to finish guitars with.
I'm not sure, I used to love my Axis neck because it wasn't finished but was told that would cause problems. The only substance I hear used a lot is Tung Oil, but that might add a "wet look" that you don't want. I'm not sure what you could use to protect the finish without having it look like it
has a protective covering...
Here's more information on Tung Oil:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tung_oil
spaivxx — Jan 31, 2009Any info appreciated, I know absolutely nothing about clear coating wood and guitar finishes.
You need to protect the wood with some kind of solid finish. I shot my homemade with Acrylic lacquer, which I bought in cans at the hardware store then I dulled the finish with plastic wool and very fine grit wet paper. I wanted it to look like it was bare wood. Idid not quite get that effect but I did get it near there.
Cover it with a sanding sealer. It will keep the stain from running, and protect the wood to a degree. You can also sand it (it is sanding sealer, after all) and it will never look glossy.
Ok, I don't know if I'm the only one, but now I'm curious to see how this ax looks! Got any pics yet?
Nope, haven't stripped the clear coat that is already on there off. Looking into the best way to do that now. Some folks tell me sanding, others say get some paint thinner.
I did post pics of the body and neck a month or so back.
I'd love to follow the process by way of pics as well, sounds like an interesting project, curious to see if the end result turns out as you envision it, hope it does.
I'm kind of scared to try something like that myself as well, no craftsman in any way....I also cannot stand the look of my Jackson, but of course I LOVE the way it plays and sounds so I bought it, figured the 'looks' would grow on me - I was wrong, now all I can think about is stripping the damn thing down to reveal the wood and coat it with something to protect it....wonder what a luthier would charge for that.
spaivxx — Feb 01, 2009paint thinner.
Paint remover, not thinner. I second Chargers remarks
Well, it depends on if it's the factory paint job or not. The Fender factory finish is one of THE most hardest finishes to remove that I've ever encountered. Do yourself a favor and use a stripper, (not the good kind) ;) ;D it will be done evenly and quickly. Especially if you're going all the way down to wood.
Now, if you're a hardcore "sweater" (not the warm kind) ::) ;D definitely use a sealer. But, if you are going to "stain" it, then they make a semi-gloss finish with a built-in sealer. Which sounds like what you are aiming for. I've done like ten guitars in as many years so if I can help, let me know or PM me.
cgtrox 8-)
LOL! Thanks Paul, hey wheres the new CD???
cgtrox 8-)
LOL! Thanks Paul, hey wheres the new CD???
Thanks for asking - still working on it as time permits... (which is really hit and miss) I have a song up over on PPR called Searching, it's still in demo form (.ie needs some parts finished/redone). I will post here when it's done.
Sorry for the thread hijack...