Acoustic Binding and Refinishing - FRETS.NET2024-03-29T09:13:20Zhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topics/acoustic-binding-and-refinishing?commentId=2177249%3AComment%3A129571&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI think it might be easier to…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-04-03:2177249:Comment:1298602014-04-03T13:47:48.456ZRobbie Collinshttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RobbieCollins
<p>I think it might be easier to find a new rosette decal than work around it.</p>
<p>I think it might be easier to find a new rosette decal than work around it.</p> Absolutely! The sides and bac…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-03-29:2177249:Comment:1297922014-03-29T00:57:46.853ZJ R Emmetthttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/JREmmett
<p>Absolutely! The sides and back are "laminates" (plywood) according to St. Louis Music. Despite this, this guitar has always projected well and had a balanced tone. Definitely would not want to sand through the veneer and I really appreciate the reminder. A partial removal of the veneer would be pretty ugly.</p>
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<p>The complexity of this restoration project has been perplexing. I've put it off for some time but am ready to proceed (with eyes open). Slow and steady is the…</p>
<p>Absolutely! The sides and back are "laminates" (plywood) according to St. Louis Music. Despite this, this guitar has always projected well and had a balanced tone. Definitely would not want to sand through the veneer and I really appreciate the reminder. A partial removal of the veneer would be pretty ugly.</p>
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<p>The complexity of this restoration project has been perplexing. I've put it off for some time but am ready to proceed (with eyes open). Slow and steady is the approach - full well understanding that putting wood back is a lot tougher than taking it off :-).</p>
<p> </p> J. R., most of these are plyw…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-03-29:2177249:Comment:1295752014-03-29T00:22:39.377ZNed Knepphttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/NedKnepp
<p>J. R., most of these are plywood so be careful of sanding too much. As I remember the top layer is fairly thin. </p>
<p>J. R., most of these are plywood so be careful of sanding too much. As I remember the top layer is fairly thin. </p> My correspondence with St. Lo…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-03-28:2177249:Comment:1296432014-03-28T23:54:54.378ZJ R Emmetthttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/JREmmett
<p>My correspondence with St. Louis Music from 2005 indicated that a Polyester finish was used. Sorry, I should have been more specific. </p>
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<p>I've stripped a lot of Polyurethane coated wood and the finish on this guitar is definitely different when abraded so I tend to believe that it is Polyester.</p>
<p>My correspondence with St. Louis Music from 2005 indicated that a Polyester finish was used. Sorry, I should have been more specific. </p>
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<p>I've stripped a lot of Polyurethane coated wood and the finish on this guitar is definitely different when abraded so I tend to believe that it is Polyester.</p> Awesome. Will put the inlay…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-03-28:2177249:Comment:1295732014-03-28T23:46:44.380ZJ R Emmetthttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/JREmmett
<p>Awesome. Will put the inlay under the microscope (literally) and see what I have to work with. Any suggestions to remove the original inlay or should I attempt this? Not an inlay guy (on my list of things to learn).</p>
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<p>Awesome. Will put the inlay under the microscope (literally) and see what I have to work with. Any suggestions to remove the original inlay or should I attempt this? Not an inlay guy (on my list of things to learn).</p>
<p></p> If the headstock inlay is tru…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-03-28:2177249:Comment:1295712014-03-28T23:28:50.812ZAndrewhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/Andrew715
If the headstock inlay is truly an inlay, then it shouldnt be so tricky unless it's very thin to begin with. Id get a close look at it under intense light, that may tell you something about where the in,ay sits in relation to the wood and the finish. But of course you could always trace the inlay as it is and cut a new one.<br />
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As for removing the exisitng finish, Id try a well sharpened cabinet scraper on the thicker side for the straight surfaces. If you watch the shavings you may be able to…
If the headstock inlay is truly an inlay, then it shouldnt be so tricky unless it's very thin to begin with. Id get a close look at it under intense light, that may tell you something about where the in,ay sits in relation to the wood and the finish. But of course you could always trace the inlay as it is and cut a new one.<br />
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As for removing the exisitng finish, Id try a well sharpened cabinet scraper on the thicker side for the straight surfaces. If you watch the shavings you may be able to learn something about how the finish was done, and you'll know when youve reached wood when the shaving texture changes (wispy fibers instead of translucent plastic). Scrape just to the wood or a little shy, and finish off with sandpaper. You would probably want a more flexible scraper to do the neck so you can bend it to the necessary shape to avoid cutting through too much in one spot. Poly can mean polyester or po…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-03-28:2177249:Comment:1295652014-03-28T23:08:09.933ZRobbie Collinshttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RobbieCollins
<p>Poly can mean polyester or polyurethane. The former needs a heat gun or aircraft paint remover while the latter responds to conventional strippers. That's been my experience but I could stand some further enlightenment.</p>
<p>Poly can mean polyester or polyurethane. The former needs a heat gun or aircraft paint remover while the latter responds to conventional strippers. That's been my experience but I could stand some further enlightenment.</p> Thanks for the decal suggesti…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-03-28:2177249:Comment:1295622014-03-28T23:01:03.626ZJ R Emmetthttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/JREmmett
<p>Thanks for the decal suggestion and encouragement Andrew. I have time (recently retired) and patience to work on this project.</p>
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<p>Actually, I'm more concerned about the inlay in the headstock (MOP) than the Rosette (decal). The "wood grain" is painted on the neck, back and sides. I have no intent to replicate. Current plan is to use dark tinted lacquer (translucent black) on those surfaces - medium amber tint on the top. Finish approach is subject to revision based on what I…</p>
<p>Thanks for the decal suggestion and encouragement Andrew. I have time (recently retired) and patience to work on this project.</p>
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<p>Actually, I'm more concerned about the inlay in the headstock (MOP) than the Rosette (decal). The "wood grain" is painted on the neck, back and sides. I have no intent to replicate. Current plan is to use dark tinted lacquer (translucent black) on those surfaces - medium amber tint on the top. Finish approach is subject to revision based on what I find under the original finish as I'm a big fan of featuring wood grain as opposed to covering it. I have few illusions of restoring it to original appearance but I DO want it to look good and play well when I'm finished.</p>
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<p>Headstock is rough due to a botched tuner upgrade (not my work - long story). I may have to veneer the headstock to hide the damage. There are a few dings in the top that will probably have to stay due to their depth. I'll post a few pics tomorrow. </p> Its your guitar, so do with i…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-03-28:2177249:Comment:1297122014-03-28T22:45:51.209ZAndrewhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/Andrew715
Its your guitar, so do with it what you will! I think if you take your time and plan/work carefully, you'll likely have a result you enjoy. Any pics of the guitar in its current state? Perhaps you can get some waterslide paper and print new decals?
Its your guitar, so do with it what you will! I think if you take your time and plan/work carefully, you'll likely have a result you enjoy. Any pics of the guitar in its current state? Perhaps you can get some waterslide paper and print new decals? Actually - I have quite a bit…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-03-28:2177249:Comment:1296372014-03-28T22:21:57.121ZJ R Emmetthttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/JREmmett
<p>Actually - I have quite a bit of experience finishing with most common materials used on furniture, Guitars and Cars. Started building guitars in the '80's. I just don't have a lot of experience <em>refinishing</em> acoustic guitars, hence the post.</p>
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<p>Thank you for the encouraging words. Just trying to learn.</p>
<p>Actually - I have quite a bit of experience finishing with most common materials used on furniture, Guitars and Cars. Started building guitars in the '80's. I just don't have a lot of experience <em>refinishing</em> acoustic guitars, hence the post.</p>
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<p>Thank you for the encouraging words. Just trying to learn.</p>