Section 3 - Finishing Your Guitar
J Bass Section 3 - 1 -
Section 3 Contents
3
Finish ................................................................................................................................................. - 1 -
3.1
Finish Application Steps ............................................................................................................ - 1 -
3.1.1
Solid Color finish: .............................................................................................................. - 1 -
3.1.2
Pigmented Translucent, Gel stain or alcohol dye finish:................................................... - 2 -
3.1.3
Penetrating Stain or water based dye finish: .................................................................... - 2 -
3.2
Explanation of Sequence Steps: ................................................................................................ - 2 -
3.2.1
Sanding the Body and Neck .............................................................................................. - 2 -
3.2.2
Appling Grain Filler ............................................................................................................ - 3 -
3.2.3
Applying Sanding Sealer .................................................................................................... - 3 -
3.2.4
Solid Color Primer ............................................................................................................. - 3 -
3.2.5
Burst and Translucent finishes .......................................................................................... - 3 -
3.2.6
Clear Top coats .................................................................................................................. - 4 -
3.2.7
Buff finish .......................................................................................................................... - 4 -
3
Finish
Before starting the finish make sure all holes are drilled for any remaining hardware (pickguard, jack
plate, strap pins etc.). This section will cover the application of several finish types, including;
1.
Solid color
2.
Pigmented translucent, gel stain or alcohol dye
3.
Penetrating stain or water based dye
The guitar body was sanded at the factory and coated with one coat of sand and sealer. To get a good
finish, the body should be sanded with a series of sandpaper grits up to #320 grit. Apply a solid color
finish, a pigmented translucent finish (Bursts, toners, Blonde, Butterscotch Blonde etc), a gel based stain
or an alcohol based dye finish over the sanding sealer. If you plan on using a penetrating stain or water
based dye, the sanding sealer must be removed.
How you proceed will depend on the finish you would like on your guitar.
The following paragraphs outline several finishing processes, starting with the sequence for a finish type
(paragraph 3.1) followed by detailed explanation of each sequence step (paragraph 3.2).
3.1
Finish Application Steps
3.1.1
Solid Color finish:
1.
Sand the body and neck
2.
Apply grain filler if desired.
3.
Apply 2 coats of sand and sealer
