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Post by Onechordtrick on Aug 27, 2022 6:18:16 GMT
I bought my Baja in lockdown for “quiet” playing and whilst I love the feel I’ve never liked the finish, it looks plasticky, because it’s essentially plastic. Plus if I’m honest with myself I’d always hankered after Bruce’s Telecaster on the cover of “Born to Run”. This time yesterday it looked like this: After 20 minutes or so with a hot air gun and scraper it looked like this: And a little later I had this I’d actually started with the back in case I messed up, which I managed to do as evidenced by the scorch marks. I considered bleaching it but having slept on it I’m going to leave it. The potential for getting it wrong is high (see above) and it adds a little character. Was pleased to find a nice piece of Ash underneath. As the original finish was slightly transparent I’d suspected it would but I’m really happy with what’s underneath. Today will be spent sanding and oiling.
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Post by delb0y on Aug 27, 2022 6:48:18 GMT
Wow - fair play. I'm not sure I'd have had the courage to do that. I've never even taken the neck off a guitar. Look forward to seeing how it shapes up once oiled.
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Post by Onechordtrick on Aug 27, 2022 6:52:38 GMT
Wow - fair play. I'm not sure I'd have had the courage to do that. I've never even taken the neck off a guitar. Look forward to seeing how it shapes up once oiled. Thanks, I must admit it did have a moment of doubt just after I started but once I’d worked out the technique it came off really easily- in 12” long strips. I even read of someone who got the back of in a single piece. Once it started coming off it was really quick, 90 minutes start to finish including cleaning up.
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Post by lavaman on Aug 27, 2022 7:40:38 GMT
You've uncovered some glorious grain there. Are you going to stain it?
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Post by Onechordtrick on Aug 27, 2022 8:21:19 GMT
You've uncovered some glorious grain there. Are you going to stain it? No just oil it with “natural” Danish Oil. Now I see what I have underneath it was a crime to dip it in plastic in the first place.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Aug 27, 2022 10:39:01 GMT
After getting over the initial disappointment relating to the thread title, I really enjoyed seeing those pics - well done for bravery, and for the result - nice looking wood, and should look even when the nakedness is oiled. ;-)
it probably weighs a lot less now too!
Keith
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Post by Onechordtrick on Aug 27, 2022 11:14:23 GMT
After getting over the initial disappointment relating to the thread title, I really enjoyed seeing those pics - well done for bravery, and for the result - nice looking wood, and should look even when the nakedness is oiled. ;-) it probably weighs a lot less now too! Keith Sorry to spoil your morning Yes forgot to mention the weight saving; when I stripped the finish it was about half a pound lighter - that’s 200g for any children in the audience. The poly was almost 1mm thick. I’ve since sanded and expect some weight gain but the net result should still be lighter as I don’t have enough oil for that sort of weight gain! Just given the first coat of oil so here it is in my “paint shop” Pleased also that most of the burn marks sanded away, was mostly the poly base rather than the wood.
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Post by borborygmus on Aug 27, 2022 12:05:42 GMT
Bravo! The pictures of those stripped slabs of ugly plastic made me feel a bit queasy.
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Post by martinrowe on Aug 27, 2022 12:43:27 GMT
Nice one - as others have said - BRAVE
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Post by otis1960 on Aug 27, 2022 21:51:08 GMT
It looks rather excellent without the plastic. Blue Peter Badge, I think, for the sheer nerve if nothing else.
Nice bench, by the way.
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Post by Onechordtrick on Aug 28, 2022 4:29:44 GMT
It looks rather excellent without the plastic. Blue Peter Badge, I think, for the sheer nerve if nothing else. Thanks, on reflection I felt I had little to lose worse case was that I’d end up with a guitar that looked a mess but would still be playable. You should have seen it before I started; the biggest part of the exercise was tidying away the previous projects.
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Post by Onechordtrick on Aug 28, 2022 7:42:01 GMT
It’s starting to get its final colour More sanding today.
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
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My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Aug 28, 2022 15:54:57 GMT
Well done, that’s a great improvement! I too am surprised by the quality of the ash: in fact, I’m surprised that it’s even ash at all. I would have expected “paint grade” popular. You’ve had a result there! Cheers Gary
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Post by Onechordtrick on Aug 29, 2022 8:21:34 GMT
Bravo! The pictures of those stripped slabs of ugly plastic made me feel a bit queasy. I’ll bet not half as queasy as the smell was making me feel Well done, that’s a great improvement! I too am surprised by the quality of the ash: in fact, I’m surprised that it’s even ash at all. I would have expected “paint grade” popular. You’ve had a result there! Cheers Gary Thanks, I’m pleased with it so far, it won’t be perfect, but I’ll be happy for a first attempt. Plus I’ve learned a lot from the process. I’m always impressed with the way people can identify wood types. Is there a 21st Century equivalent of the I Spy book of guitar woods.
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Post by Onechordtrick on Aug 30, 2022 9:58:45 GMT
Finished the oiling and it's ready for waxing Not perfect but I'm pleased with the results for a first attempt; for example I didn't manage to strip properly round the ferrules where the strings go on the back and lacked the courage to try knocking them out. A few lessons learned: - Wear gloves!
- Take heed of the recommendation to wipe the excess away. Don't think that it will soak in because it won't. I spent a few hours on Saturday removing the rubbery residue left behind.
- Take the "wet sanding approach" with wet and dry or a scotchbrite, it really works.
- Be patient, lots of thin layers.
- When you find rough spots draw a picture that you can refer to on the next coat because you won't feel them when wet sanding
- Did I mention to wipe away the excess?
earwighoney - burn mark has almost disappeared
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