Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm a sunburst fan, always have been. I've only shot one, and it was maple that didn't have a rosette. All others have been practice on scrap tops, top pieces or paper. Here's my question:

Rosettes, say something fairly basic in a shell with b/w/b on the outsides: How are you masking that off prior to shooting? What tape are you using, and is there any special tips and tricks I need to know about?

Tony Ferguson finished a burst for me a few years ago, and the job was magnificent. The rosette was as clear as a bell, and the burst was gorgeous.

I would appreciate any advice that can be offered. Thanks.

Bill

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

There are two schools one school masks and there are lots of widths of low tack hi grade masking tape out there check with automotive repair houses and suppliers. Plus there is stuff called friskit that is a clear friction achieve that can be cut with a sharp razor knife in place with out damaging the top if you are carful.

The other school is to seal with shellac and scrap off after completion.

I slice strips out of 3M blue tape. Don't get any cheap masking tape as the adhesive will let go with tension and solvents. 3M is the way to go.
As a side note, it will be much easier to mask if you use .020" black lines on the outside of your rosette and top purflings. .010" is doable but much harder to mask/scrape cleanly.

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

I've done lots of F4-A4 mandolins and I just coat the rosette with several coats of lacquer. After the instrument is burst, I scrape the rosette clean.
Celluloid bindings are taped off with auto striping tape on the sides and just scraped clean after bursting on the top and also any "bleeds" on the sides.

Scotch 218 series fine line tape is available in 1/16" width. You can get it pretty much anywhere they sell automotive paint supplies.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Great looking sunburst Haans!
A fine looking mandolin.

Hello to all!

I have used automotive fine line Tape from 3M on my latest project, for the Rosette 1/8" and for Purfling/ Binding their 1/4" with. Works fine, as long as you don´t overstrech the Tape.


greetings Harald