Finishing
Finishing supplies are not included with this mandolin kit. Finishing options include stains, lacquers, varnishes and oil finishes. All can be applied by spray or brush. Finish materials and books on finishing instruments can be ordered through Grizzly Industrial or numerous luthier sup- ply catalogs.
Components and Hardware Needed: | Qty |
Mandolin Body | 1 |
To finish the mandolin: |
|
1.Mask off the surface of the fretboard. Carefully press all the masking tape edges securely to the fretboard. The finish coat should not be allowed to seep under edges, or flood- corners, and places where the frets meet the fingerboard.
2.Form a piece of wire into a U shaped hanger with hooks on both ends.
3.Thread the hooks through the upper pegholes and hang the instrument in the finish room.
Figure 21. Instrument ready to be finished.
H8067 Flat Iron Style Mandolin Kit
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.
4.Apply several thin coats of the finish (follow- ing the manufacturer's instructions). Multiple thin coats usually produce a better quality finish than one heavy coat.
5.Hang the instrument in a dust free area to dry.
6.When finishing is complete, remove the masking tape from the fretboard.
7.Carefully scrape any excess finish off the fretboard with a razor blade.
Painting/Finishing Tips
Dust particles suspended in the air will settle on wet finishes, causing less than satisfactory results. To avoid this problem:
•Leave the finishing room undisturbed for 24 hours prior to applying the finish.
•Avoid making unnecessary movements upon entering the finish room.
•Apply the finish to the desired mandolin parts and immediately leave the finish room.
•DO NOT return to the room until the speci- fied drying time has elapsed.
