Well, aside from getting the soundboard soundboard restained, there is not much to report for the last couple of weeks. This is not because I haven’t been doing anything, you understand, its because successfully applying the finish is NOT an easy process. All I can say at this point is that as one of my purchases for my next mandolin, I am going to get a book and/or a video on finishing. Stewart-MacDonald offers a couple of choices including Complete Illustrated Guide to Finishing by Jeff Jewitt that I think I will probably get. Before I do, though, I will see what the folks at the Mandolin Cafe think.
In any case, I figured I would share a couple of pictures of the re-staining I was able to get after having to remove my first finishing attempt.
I don’t expect to post much for a while since one of the things I have learned is that I will be applying (and re-applying after messing up) several coats of lacquer by the time this is done and that lacquer has to cure for a couple of weeks before it truly sets up. There is so little to see and so much waiting that I really don’t have much to offer. About the only things I have left to do are to make a truss rod cover, fit the bridge, install and end-pin, and string-her up. None of that can really be done until the finish has cured.
I have also found that since I am hand-applying my finish it is difficult, if not impossible, to apply lacquer to both the front and back on the same day. Consequently I am forced to work on one side for a bit, wait for at least a day so that can dry and then work on the other. I’m guessing that it will be several weeks before I finally have the finish I want before I can move to fitting the bridge.
7 comments:
I don't see why you can't apply the lacquer to both sides in one day. It dries in a matter of moments. I used the lacquer in spay can from stew-mac and it worked fine. I applied additional coats after an hour and a half. I wish ya the best of luck as I've seen you had enough bad luck.
I think the main reason I need two days has mostly to do with the fact that I really have no experience here. Similarly, I have no doubt that your methods work, I simply chose to try it way I did and now have to deal with the results. As I go forward, I will most likely use a spray-can lacquer on my next instrument and I appreciate reading about your experience.
Steve
I can relate to the "no experience"! This was my first mandolin also. I made mistakes and then had to correct them. I know that if I ever do it again I won't make those mistakes.
I was surprised that our mandolins looked so much alike!
It wasn't a cheap project. After I added up the costs I thought to myself "Wow, I could have bought a really good mandolin with all that money". But, it would have been someone elses mandolin! I can honestly say this is mine. I play it every day and it continues to sound better. This mandolin building project was one of my lifes most enjoying experiences.
Wilbur
I hear ya there - I have easily paid enough for a really nice, professionally built mandolin with this! I also agree that it has been worth it. Would I do it all over again? No doubt.
Now I just need to get finished with this one.....
Steve
Your sunburst looks great. I have read that this type of finish is difficult to apply - having never tried to do so myself - but you really did a great job.
I can't believe it's your first mandolin.
Nice job!
If you are interested , you can see a few pictures of mine at http://www.freepickin.com/community/index.php?topic=289.0
Wilbur
I hate posting as anonymous but I can't remember my password. :)
mjd - Thanks for the compliments. The sunburst on the maple back was really pretty easy, especially compared to doing it on the spruce top. For me, there really wasn't much of a choice, though - anything else would have been giving in to the process. Hopefully I can get some photos of my finished mandolin up pretty soon (once it's finished, of course).
Wilbur - Your mandolin is cool. Thanks for the URL. I really like your peghead design. Maybe on my next one I will get a little more original, too.
Steve
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