Finishing Neck
Some of the finishing options include stains, lac- quers, varnishes and oil finishes. Traditionally, this style of guitar has a clear finish on the neck. Depending on the type, finishes can be applied with a spray gun, brush, rag, or a spray can. Finish materials and books on finishing instru- ments can be ordered through Grizzly Industrial or numerous luthier supply catalogs.
Components and Hardware Needed: | Qty |
Guitar Neck | 1 |
To finish the guitar neck: |
|
1.Mask off the surface of the fretboard. Carefully press all the masking tape edges securely to the fretboard. The finish coat can seep under these edges, especially near corners, uneven edges, and places where the frets meet the fingerboard.
2.Make an "S" shaped hook out of 1/4" steel rod or a coat hanger that has been folded in half.
3.Wipe the entire neck with a tack cloth to remove any dust.
4.Thread the hook through the upper peghole and hang the neck in the finishing room.
Most finishes are hazard-
ous to your health. Wear a NIOSH/OSHA approved res- pirator with particulate and
gas/vapor filters, safety
glasses, rubber gloves, and
work in a well ventilated area
when finishing.
5.Apply the finish according to Finishing Body, Steps
6.Before wet sanding, remove the masking tape from the fretboard and carefully scrape any excess finish off the fretboard with a razor blade or chisel held perpendicular to the surface, as shown in Figure 8.
H8070 Heirloom
Figure 8. Scraping the fretboard.
7.Let wood dry naturally and completely.
8.Use a clean rag to wipe wood finishing oil on the dryed surface of the fretboard.
Finishing Body
This guitar looks incredible with a clear finish that highlights the wood grain patterns. The surface can be stained prior to finishing or a transparent pigment can be added to the finish. These instruc- tions guide you through a very basic finishing pro- cess. Books describing different guitar finishing techniques are available through luthier supply catalogs, or through your local library. Clear finish materials and books on finishing can be ordered through Grizzly Industrial. Finishing a guitar is a difficult task. If you are unsure of your skills; do your research, practice on scrap wood, or take it to a professional.
Components and Hardware Needed: | Qty |
Guitar Body | 1 |
To finish the guitar body: |
|
1.Mask off the neck pocket (Figure 4). Press the masking tape tight against the edges of the pocket so the finish does not seep under the tape.
2.Screw through the neck pocket screw holes into a long piece of wood to use for a handle during spraying. Drill a hole in the end of the handle for hanging from a hook.
3.Wipe the entire guitar body with a tack cloth to remove all dust.
4.Thread the hook through the temporary han- dle and hang the body in the finish room.