Next we’ll move onto prep sanding the body and neck.
Start by sanding the entire guitar using 180 grit sandpaper and follow that up with 240 grit
paper. If you are applying a stain directly to the raw wood sand up to 400 grit, but sanding
any smoother than this may begin to affect how well the stain is absorbed.
Once you have completed sanding up to 240 grit, wipe a small amount of moisture on the
surface of the guitar. Using denatured alcohol is a good option here as it evaporates before
it is absorbed into the timber, but water will also suffice. This will raise the grain of the timber
which can then be sanded flat. Generally grain will only raise once.
Grain Filling
Grain filling is optional, and mostly depends on the wood your guitar is made from and
whether you are aiming for a flat finish.
If your guitar is made from an open grain timber such as Oak or Mahogany, the open pores
of the timber will prevent a flat finish unless filled. Basswood for the most part is optional. In
most cases it’s advisable to grain fill but if painting a solid color you can get by using a
primer which will level and seal the surface.
If you are staining, depending on the product you are using, you can grain fill either before
or after. In almost all cases I’ve found grain filling first results in a more even application,
providing a better result.
There are a number of different grain fillers available, including solvent, water and oil based
options, along with pre-tinted options. Oil based grain fillers penetrate deeper into the wood,
but water is easier to work with with regard to drying times and clean up.
Using a tinted grain filler is also a great option if you would like to accentuate the grain
pattern of the guitar as the excess will be removed when sanding, but the filler used to fill
the pores will remain in place and emphasize the grain pattern of the wood.
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