Thanks Guys!
In preparation for the burst, i watched a number of youtube vids on hand rubbed finishes. But the biggest help was from Ed on this board, and on John Hall's forum, for recommending the rattle can shellac to seal in the dyes.
I was going to test on a number of pieces of spruce, and quickly realized each piece soaked up the dyes differently )heck, even on the same piece of spruce, it isn't consistent). SO i just went for it, and figured off I didn't like it, I would just cover with black
. I used Stew Mac Trans tint dyes directly on the wood. i used water to mix thinking i would have more "open" time to mix the dyes. I used no red, as I like the old faded hand rubbed sunbursts on the old Gibson guitars. I used Amber, brown, Mahogany Brown and a few drops of black to darken the brown along the edges. To be honest, I just "played it by ear". once i had the sunburst how i wanted, I sprayed the zinser shellac on to seal. I found i had to be real careful because if i sprayed too much, the dyes would bleed. I didn't like the spray as it goes on blotchy, but put a few coats on, let it dry, and sanded back as much as I could without getting to the wood. From there, I French Polished as I always do. For the back, sides, and neck, i used Acqua Coat for the first time given it played well with all finishes and water. I stained, sprayed shellac to seal dye, sanded, pore filled with Aqua Coat, shellac seal, Tru Oil.
Glenn
