Martin
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Post by Martin on Dec 8, 2016 13:20:02 GMT
I think I want to refinish the neck too. It's not too bad, but does have several dents/scratches and there is, of course, that hideous scorch mark on the headstock. Ok to sand this carefully to rtemove the finish and burn mark? Would you lacquer this or perhaps just use an oil finish?  I suspect that the scorch mark may go deep - if so I'd keep it as a "feature". Lacquer is nasty stuff if you don't have the equipment and facilities to safely use it. Getting the neck to a nice smooth stripped finish and using something like Liberon Finishing Oil is probably the way to go. Happy to use Liberon on the neck, thanks!  Might have to re-shape the headstock, though....I want rid of that scorch mark  Yes Dave is right, steer clear of laquer finish as, unless used in a proper spray booth, can be dangerous. So use the Liberon as Dave says on the neck. I'd colour spray the body, your local Halfords is good here as car aerosols, which nowadays are water based, can give you a whole pallet of colour. The body woods on most of these clone guitars are usually really horrid, so sanding back and clear finishing is not usually an option. Oh, and who says that the body has to retain the 'strat' shape, get inventive here, if that were in my shop it would soon get quite intimate with my bandsaw! I agree that lacquer on the neck seems problematic. What about the body? Don't I need to add a clear coat after painting? Will the paint last without a varnish? |
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colins
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Post by colins on Dec 8, 2016 14:48:06 GMT
Yes Martin, full car finish, colour then clearcoat. Nice metallic maybe?
Colin
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francis
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Post by francis on Dec 8, 2016 14:57:47 GMT
Martin try lightly scraping the scorch mark just to see how deep it goes - if your lucky not much more than the finish which would char quite readily. If you need bits try axesrus www.axesrus.com/ they keep everything you would need to refurbish your machine. Unless you want a really deep shine on the guitar the car spray paints will give you a good sheen, which after they've fully dried can be buffed up anyway. Great project - lots dirt cheap on flea-B*y atm |
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Post by andy3sheds on Dec 9, 2016 0:29:24 GMT
I've just started reading this thread , I went to Martins original post and was working my way through the before pics when I got a pop up ad for kiln dried firewood!
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Akquarius
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Post by Akquarius on Dec 9, 2016 8:31:59 GMT
150 years ago adventurous people like you would have gone exploring the Amazonas or the Heart of Africa, Martin.  Good luck and lots of fun with this ... erm... interesting object....  |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Dec 9, 2016 9:21:50 GMT
Yes Martin, full car finish, colour then clearcoat. Nice metallic maybe? Colin Why not?  'go faster' stripes and a spoiler too, maybe  Thanks, Colin Martin try lightly scraping the scorch mark just to see how deep it goes - if your lucky not much more than the finish which would char quite readily. If you need bits try axesrus www.axesrus.com/ they keep everything you would need to refurbish your machine. Unless you want a really deep shine on the guitar the car spray paints will give you a good sheen, which after they've fully dried can be buffed up anyway. Great project - lots dirt cheap on flea-B*y atm Although I haven't scraped it yet, I do think it goes quite deep just feeling the shape of the headstock around the burn mark. I'm still happy to reshape it a bit, so fingers crossed... The painting's got me a bit concerned actually, as I really don't have anywhere to do it safely. Might have to empty the shed  Thanks for the tips, Francis. I don't want to spend too much on this, as the resale will be almost nil, but a new bridge/trem system plus scratchplate, backplate and knobs would be less than £20, so maybe I've just started reading this thread , I went to Martins original post and was working my way through the before pics when I got a pop up ad for kiln dried firewood! Thanks for the encouragement, Andy, but I think turning this thing into proper kiln-dried firewood is a tad ambitious... 150 years ago adventurous people like you would have gone exploring the Amazonas or the Heart of Africa, Martin. Good luck and lots of fun with this ... erm... interesting object.... Yes, Bernd, it's a brave and fearless project, no doubt If I can make it look slightly less offensive than it is, and have it playing almost in tune, I will consider it a resounding success |
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leitrimnick
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Post by leitrimnick on Dec 9, 2016 12:20:42 GMT
Will watch this with interest. Makes me glad I bought my cheap Squier '52 Tele from new as I wouldn't have a year spare for this kind of project. I have every faith in the ugly duckling becoming a swan ( a strange trans genus trick when you think about it) but do wonder how long the transformation will take.
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Dec 9, 2016 12:37:05 GMT
Will watch this with interest. Makes me glad I bought my cheap Squier '52 Tele from new as I wouldn't have a year spare for this kind of project. I have every faith in the ugly duckling becoming a swan ( a strange trans genus trick when you think about it) but do wonder how long the transformation will take. Don't hold your breath I have acquired most of the things I need to make a start. I have a cheapo heat gun, a couple of clamps, a makeshift workbench (old desk) and sandpaper (& block). Will also be using safety specs, a dust mask and gloves. Just need a tool for scraping the paint off and a loan of the wife's Black and Decker Mouse (unless I can be persuaded to buy a rotary/orbital sander!  ). MY priority is getting that nasty paint job eradicated, sanding everything down to see the extent of the damage, and then decide if it's worth continuing (i.e. is the body salvagable). If so, it will likely then move onto the stage where I grain fill (and dent fill) the body liberally and see where that takes me. Then I'll worry about painting |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Dec 9, 2016 15:44:14 GMT
Just worked out that with all the things I've had to buy (not including ANY parts for the guitar so far, just prep stuff and tools), the project now has a base cost of £93.58. Just as well I'm treating all this as entertainment and education, since for some reason I don't see me recouping much of that The paint and any parts will send the total cost nearer £150 in the end. Still, at least I get to use the tools and some materials for future projects  |
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Post by Mike Floorstand on Dec 9, 2016 23:35:30 GMT
Nice project, although I suspect the stickers will be worth more than the guitar even after you've restored it.
Do you know who, or what, a Koksúger is?
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francis
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Post by francis on Dec 10, 2016 6:59:13 GMT
Good idea as you take parts off to photograph things so you have a good idea of the reverse process putting it back together...
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R the F
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Post by R the F on Dec 10, 2016 9:46:37 GMT
Good idea as you take parts off to photograph things so you have a good idea of the reverse process putting it back together... I think you may be too late, francis. I think he's already stripped it down. Forget about power tools, Martin, sanders and the like. Remember you want to become one with the wood; strip to the waist and let the sweat run. A sanding block and a few sanding sheets (starting about 80 grit down to say 180/240) will do it. But before you get sanding, fill everything in sight. If they're only slight blemishes, make them deeper to give the filler something to get its teeth into. I'd use something like Wudfil, which is a 2-part filler and goes rock hard very quickly so don't mix too much at once. When set, it sands very nicely - use a good flat sanding block. I imagine Wudfil is available much more cheaply as car-body filler or some such. Before you do this, remove the finish, of course. It might help your scraping approach if you singe the paint first with your hot-air gun so experiment. The best kind of scraper to use is a "cabinet scraper" (although they need to have the edge prepared to work well) but you can use old pieces of band-saw blade or similar - heavyweight Stanley knife blades used as scrapers may do if it's all you've got. I've run out of wisdom. |
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R the F
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Post by R the F on Dec 10, 2016 10:03:55 GMT
Now I know this is too much information but I couldn't resist giving you a page to read to turn you into a proper woodworker:  Let's see those thumbs burn! |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Dec 10, 2016 12:06:02 GMT
Thanks for your wisdom, Rob. I'll take it all to heart, naturally. Especially the bit about stripping to the waist. In fact, where did I put that mankini? |
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francis
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Post by francis on Dec 10, 2016 12:32:05 GMT
Thanks for your wisdom, Rob. I'll take it all to heart, naturally. Especially the bit about stripping to the waist. In fact, where did I put that mankini? Progress photos please |
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'go faster' stripes and a spoiler too, maybe 
). MY priority is getting that nasty paint job eradicated, sanding everything down to see the extent of the damage, and then decide if it's worth continuing (i.e. is the body salvagable).
Jo whoever he is.
