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I am getting ready to shoot an all black guitar. Already have 3 coats of nitro level sanded, ready for the black. I'm not sure how many drops of the LMI black mek dye to use. I am looking for a solid black. Just got the stuff and there aren't any directions. I sure would appreciate some input from someone who has used the stuff, sure would save a lot of test spraying.

Thanks, Chuck

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LMI is quick to answer questions if you send them an email.

Its simple .. put some of the clear lacquer in a jar, and keep adding drops and stirring until the finish is really dark, enough that when swished around, the remaining film on the top side of the jar is still dark - if it only looks really dark when sitting, its likely not enough, - remember, just sitting in the jar, you are looking thru 2 inches of finish .. when thinned out to a thou or two when spraying, it will be barely noticeable as a tint.

I once sprayed a students les paul a deep green tint - in the jar, the tint looks almost black ....

So .. you willl likely be putting about 40-50 drops into 3-4 ounces of finish to get it opaque.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Thanks Darrel, Tony and Todd. I'm going down the the shop and give it a try.

Chuck

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I have a build I am doing for a friend who wants and all black finish..If you don't mind me asking what is the fininsh sequence??? i.e. when is the opaque tint sprayed....???

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MK5acoustics.com

Wes, if you want a pure solid black finish, I would suggest doing what Todd said...get some black laquer. I decided to go ahead with the dye and really like the results, almost a solid black but just slightly transparent. I think it looks really cool, and since I am keeping this one thats OK.

Here's the way I did it. Seal the guitar with shellac, sand and apply 3 coats of nitro with level sanding between every coat. You want it really level since the black will magnify every pin hole, so number of coats may vary. Next I applied 3 color coats, 1oz. of black dye to 6 oz. of a 50/50 nitro/thinner mix (this is where you could apply the black laquer). Next unmask the binding and scrape clean. Let set over night then sand lightly and spray 4 more coats of nitro with sanding between coats, I made sure to apply extra to the bindings to get level with the color coats. Now I just need to let it cure for 3 - 4 weeks before final leveling and buff.

Oh yeah, I did the back, sides, and neck black on this guitar, left the redwood top natrual.

Chuck

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