Touch-up kit

[bigolbassguy]

I'd like to put together a practical touch-up kit. Sifting through all of the commercially available dyes/varnishes/lacquers - water solubles, mek's, alcohol - Help!

Is there a simple collection of flexible dyes (brown, yellow, red, blue, black combo) that can be added directly to lacquer, varnish or shellac for better touchups? and, naturally, doesn't cost a fortune?

[bwoodman]

STEWMAC.COM : Repair and touchup

[bigolbassguy]

Thanks, but I've looked through that - thinking about it, also checked out LMI's stuff. There are too many ways to go.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by bigolbassguy

Is there a simple collection of flexible dyes (brown, yellow, red, blue, black combo) that can be added directly to lacquer, varnish or shellac for better touchups? and, naturally, doesn't cost a fortune?

I'm not a luthier, or an expert, but what You seem to seek simply doesn't exist AFAIK.

Too many variables, too many techniques and way too many products out there. IMHO anyway.



Regards
Sam

[uprightben]

Every touch up job requires different materials based on what the finish is and what you are touching up. Are you trying to get set up to do touch up on double basses after repairs? In the shop I work in we use water based aniline dyes on bare wood, seal it with linseed oil, and then finish the job with colored spirit varnish that we can apply extra color to via special powders. We then polish this into the old finish, but this process only works on a varnish that can be melted with alcohol. Sometimes we have to get creative, and will use acrylic paint, touch up pens or anything else we can find that might work. The varnishes are available a violin shop supply houses such as Howard Core.

[bigolbassguy]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.



I'm not a luthier, or an expert, but what You seem to seek simply doesn't exist AFAIK.

Too many variables, too many techniques and way too many products out there. IMHO anyway.



Regards
Sam

Considering the fact that I've been trying for several months to find an easy solution -I believe you.

[ckngumbo]

My ex-wife's grandfather was a piano finish repair expert.
He carried an alchol lamp. 6 sticks of shellac and rags.
The guy could match anything on any piano.

Enough to tell me to use stain and be happy.