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I posted this link on the UMGF and thought some people here might be interested. These are the color stages that I use when spraying a sunburst.

You can also find a thread, in the UMGF technical section, with a Martin 30's style burst "in-progress" photos.

http://www.burkettguitars.com/?page_id=98

Beautiful burst James.

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I agree... beautiful burst. Perfectly executed.

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Jim Womack

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Pretty guitar James. Great burst.

John

James what a very nice burst. Well done.

I've never seen one done that way? I was taught in the 70s that you worked from light to dark. The reasoning was, if a mistake was made, you can sand back to the lighter color and then reapply. You have shown me there is really another way to skin the cat.

Again very nice work.


Mike

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I'm outside looking in, just farther from the window than most.

Thanks, everyone, I appreciate the comments.



Thanks. I have made my share of mistakes, and have paid the price by stripping the top and starting over. I spray with the body upside down, and I spray up and out. This makes most of the overspray and spits fall away from the guitar.

I once had a spit of dark lacquer come out of the gun, and it seemed to stay in the air forever, traveling in slow motion toward the center of the burst. Luckily it landed on the area where the bridge would be. Kinda lucky on that one.
James

Good looking sunburst James, and timely for me too, as I'm preparing to do one of my own.
Roll Tide !!
jack

James, that's great. What kind of tape is that that you're taping off the bindings with?

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Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

Thanks, Mike and Jack.

The tape is just standard 3M tan masking tape. It is hard to find in 1/8" and 1/16". I think they have discontinued the narrow rolls. All I can find now is the plastic type tape in the narrow widths. I don't like the new stuff because it will shrink and pull away from the tight curves when you spray it with lacquer. The old tan tape would not shrink.

Good luck with your burst, Jack.

James

I'm also preparing to do a burst. Haven't had much luck on my test pieces yet. I can't seem to be able download it from your site. I get your page but nothing from the burst link. Any idea why?

I just tried it and it worked for me. Not sure what's wrong on your attempt. Try it again.
I will send the pictures if you can't make it work.

James

Ok got it to work. wouldn't work with explorer #8. Had to use compatability button. Looks fantastic. I'm wanting to do a cherry red sunburst like on Les Pauls. Are you useing stain or tinted lacquer or a combination.

Tinted lacquer.

Thanks James. Been trying dye stain but having alot of trouble. will have to try tinting next.

Just spectacular. Simply spectacular. Wow is all I can say. I love a sunburst. I'm going to have to try that one day.

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Sorry to bug you again James but what kind of lacquer and tint (as in water, solvent, concentrated dye ect.)

Thanks James. Just got some good adirondack with some discoloration so I'm planning on doing a burst. Thanks for the tips and the great pictures.

http://www.mohawk-finishing.com/catalog ... 78&atomz=1

I use Yellow M520-2036, Dk Red Mahogany M520-2276, Van Dyke Brown M-520-14786, and Black M520-2246. I have not bought any in a few years. A quart of each last forever. A mixture of yellow, brown and red gives you the amber. No formula here, I just mix it until I like it.

I use Nitro lacquer.