And so it begins...... AND ENDS!!

davismanLV

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Re: And so it begins......

Okay, friends. We've had a bit of a break in construction because Don decided to finish the body and neck separately and then assemble after that's done. It's winter here and we've not had very many days in the temperature range where you can spray lacquer. But now it's warmed up enough to get a few (ten) coats of lacquer applied with sanding in between. It's starting to look like a shiny guitar. Take a look. I'll post some of the neck later.....

lacquerback.jpg
 
rampside

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Re: And so it begins......

I was wondering how things were progressing and now I see, very well indeed! Looks GREAT! :)
 
taabru45

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Re: And so it begins......

How long do you leave it 1) between coats
2) between spaying and sanding... It's looking really good. :D Steffan
 
davismanLV

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Re: And so it begins......

I can put two coats on in a couple of hours in the afternoon. Then sand it in the evening, let it cure overnight and then repeat the same steps the next day. Then it usually gets too cold or windy or both. Lacquer dries really fast. Deft is the best lacquer because it has a better spray nozzle that is adjustable and actually gives you some decent coverage, instead of a vague mist that the cheap cans do.
 
taabru45

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Re: And so it begins......

Thanks Tom, you could write a book on what I don't know. :lol: Steffan
 
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Re: And so it begins......

davismanLV said:
I can put two coats on in a couple of hours in the afternoon. Then sand it in the evening, let it cure overnight and then repeat the same steps the next day. Then it usually gets too cold or windy or both. Lacquer dries really fast. Deft is the best lacquer because it has a better spray nozzle that is adjustable and actually gives you some decent coverage, instead of a vague mist that the cheap cans do.
Click to expand...


Looking good.

Ya'll are getting that finish with Deft spray cans? Impressive. 8)

I spray a couple quarts of Deft every year, it doesn't like cold temps & my unheated garage at all. A couple little space heaters helps, and a prayer, asking the fumes don't ignite & blow the gargage doors off.
 
killdeer43

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Re: And so it begins......

This has been/is a very impressive collaboration!
I'm a Deft fan/user, too, and it is one of the better products on the shelves these days.

Overall, I can really appreciate the time and energy that you guys are taking to see this project through to a super finish (no pun intended).

Bravo! :wink:
Joe
 
davismanLV

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Re: And so it begins......

Jeff said:
davismanLV said:
I can put two coats on in a couple of hours in the afternoon. Then sand it in the evening, let it cure overnight and then repeat the same steps the next day. Then it usually gets too cold or windy or both. Lacquer dries really fast. Deft is the best lacquer because it has a better spray nozzle that is adjustable and actually gives you some decent coverage, instead of a vague mist that the cheap cans do.
Click to expand...


Looking good.

Ya'll are getting that finish with Deft spray cans? Impressive. 8)

I spray a couple quarts of Deft every year, it doesn't like cold temps & my unheated garage at all. A couple little space heaters helps, and a prayer, asking the fumes don't ignite & blow the gargage doors off.
Click to expand...
Exactly, Jeff!! Which is why we've had to wait for it to warm up. I won't even spray in the garage because lacquer is just too noxious and the fumes just are unbearable. So I have to wait until it's both WARM enough and QUIET enough (this is a very windy town) for me to spray outside.

In fact I need to run out and put another heavy coat on the top.
 
FNG

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Re: And so it begins......

Not sure how I missed this thread. Too cool!
 
davismanLV

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Re: And so it begins......

I know, Larry. Sorry for the long gap. Life kinda intervenes sometimes. Just seems like everyone here has been working a lot. Progress has been slow but the lacquering is finally done and successive courses of sanding finishing off with 1000 and then 1500 grit sandpaper has been done. That was a long process. Now Don is in the middle of the final buffing out of the finish. The top is mostly done. He's just gotta do the sides and back and then do the neck.

He SAYS he's gonna take it out and glue the neck on today...... but, I'll believe that when I see it. He's still gotta do that and then glue on the bridge. Here's where we are right now.

buffingtop.jpg


Thanks for the gentle prod, my friend!! I've been meaning to update for a couple of weeks now. I'm sure Don has read about this but since I haven't ..... how do you remove the lacquer from the top where the bridge goes? This seems like it could be really tricky. :?
 
Steelpickin'

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Re: And so it begins......

Looks great,Tom :) I use a cabinet scraper to remove the finish. Just remember to make the area a little bit smaller than the footprint of the bridge. That way there wont be any chance of a bare spot in the bridge area. Sometimes we mark the spot for the bridge first and mask it off before finishing but,either way is fine! Cant wait to see the end results! Have you got "the fever" yet to build your own? :lol: ....hard not to catch it :)
 
davismanLV

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Re: And so it begins......

Darryl Hattenhauer said:
I use a cabinet scraper to remove the finish.
Click to expand...
Shouldn't you use it for removing the cabinet?
Click to expand...
Darryl, the cabinet is already gone..... everything else is just non-cabinet stuff..... :lol:

Thanks Larry. The scrapers are at hand. And sharp as hell. You know what? I was being all smart aleck-ey about him not gluing the neck and .... HE DID IT!!! The neck got glued and clamped.....

gluingtheneck.jpg


And after being out all afternoon, when we come home here's a guitar all in one piece. Who knew? It's almost like a REAL guitar!!!

neckglued.jpg


Now the bridge has gotta get glued and then the tuners on and ..... once it gets to the point that it needs strings.... I'll finally feel like I know what I'm doing!!! This has been fun..... :D
 
davismanLV

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Re: And so it begins......

Okay boys and girls, it's been a long week. It's my Friday and after a long day at work training new servers.... it seems Don has been very busy. We went through all the calculations last night with lots of pointing, pencil marks, and discussion. After I got home here I find the bridge is glued. This thing is getting close to being a real guitar. Take a look!!!

bridgeglued.jpg


bridgeglued2.jpg


There's still a bit of work to be done, but this makes me really happy. I'm starting to get anxious about putting strings on this thing and wondering what the HELL it will sound like. I sure hope it sounds good.....

Just thought y'all should have an update. Enjoy the rest of your weekend my friends!!! :D :D
 
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