My hack refinishing job (with pictures)

Pneuma · #1 09-08-2006, 10:52 AM

I purchased this bass off of another TB member (actually traded + cash, but who's keeping track?) early this year. When I received it, it wasn't in the greatest of conditions. One of the saddles was cracked, the microchip on the preamp was secured with a piece of tape because the pins were broken off, it's still got a pretty bad crack on the upper horn, and the finish was just horrible. It looked like someone had stripped it with a wire bristle brush, or some 25 grit sand paper.

So, I finally decided I'd start (slowly) redoing the finish with tung oil. What I like about the oil process is that I don't have to do it all at once. The finish blends together so well that I can work the back without doing the front, and vice versa. This is nice, cause I've got just enough time each week to do some sanding, oiling, and drying time before I have to slap it back together for Sunday service and Tuesday practice.

What you're looking at has been taken down with 180g, then smoothed with 320, 400, and 600. I'm using low gloss on the back and neck, and high gloss on the front. Unfortunately, some of the gouges and scratches were so deep that they still show up. I just couldn't bring myself to remove enough material to get them out, as they are very deep in spots.

I also took some time and made new covers for the electronics and batteries. A big thanks to Larry at Gallery Hardwoods for dealing with a small timer like me. He was great, and did a pretty good job matching the color and grain pattern of the walnut.

Well, here she is. It ain't the best finish job, but it's miles ahead of what it used to be.

P.

Pneuma · #2 09-08-2006, 10:53 AM

Before pics. You can't really see the worst spots in these, as I forgot to do good before pics, but oh well.

Pneuma · #3 09-08-2006, 10:55 AM

After. I tried to get a few to show the light better. It looks much better in person. Much more life and light to the finish. The pics are a little dull.

Pneuma · #4 09-08-2006, 10:56 AM

More. Here you can see that, if anything, the wood Larry sent was just nicer than what was already there. Check the flaming!

Pneuma · #5 09-08-2006, 11:00 AM

And there we are. I'm going to keep working up in the grit as I continue to add more finish. Eventually, I'll probably quit at 2000, and try to get the front glossy.

I think this has maybe 5 coats, front and back. The gloss finish is really a subtle difference. You can only tell after a few coats of buildup that it's any different.

It's been a fun project so far.

P.

Greenman · #6 09-08-2006, 03:03 PM

Looks very nice. Congrats

pilotjones · #7 09-08-2006, 04:15 PM

Nice job. And gotta love that the cavity covers have been "larry-ized."

Do you have any idea why the finish had been so abused?

Hambone · #8 09-09-2006, 05:28 AM

Pneuma, YOU may be a hack but that refinish is top notch! Give yourself credit - you took the bull by the horns and wrestled him to the ground. Salute

ebe9 · #9 09-09-2006, 11:02 AM

Looks very good.

Congrats.

Pneuma · #10 09-11-2006, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotjones

Nice job. And gotta love that the cavity covers have been "larry-ized."

Do you have any idea why the finish had been so abused?

I really have no clue. Like I said, it wasn't as if someone just sanded it down. There were some tremendously rough areas. If you look closely at the edges of the pickups, you can see where whatever they were using began to dig into the plastic. They didn't take them out or mask them at all apparently.

The other really bad area is between the fingerboard and the neck pickup. If you look, it looks like there's some flaming in the laminates between the D and G string just above the pickup. That's not flame, that's surface roughness.

So, I dunno. I guess someone wanted to strip the finish, but just did a bad job with the wrong tools.

Thanks all!

P.