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Build II - Paradox MJ5 - New design!

#1,001
Lonnybass said:
If I had to guess, the black dots you are seeing are likely a result of the black dye particles not dissolving completely prior to application. Seems like you are successfully working them out to some degree, but the only way to really get them out for good would be to fully sand off the black layer and I'm not sure if you're interested in going that route given that you appear to be generally satisfied with the appearance. However, I think the black was still well worth it as you'll get some nice extra striping that wouldn't come through otherwise.

Lonnybass
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I think you are right, tried many times but cannot get around them. Also saw them on my test piece but thought working carefully following jnstructions and taking my time would solve it, but now I guess I just made the black stain too rich.
 
#1,003
That would explain something, as it is not on every black area but only random throughout the top.

I now have a reasonable result, the right red, a bit of black dots, mostly underneath the pickguard and a somewhat bleached burst, which is not a pretty a yesterday. Overall I think this is the best what I can achieve at this very moment. Or I need to use a orbital sander and sand the whole body blank. By hand I could never clean the body enough for a full retry. But I think this ain't necessary. It is not up to my standard, but I guess this is something I have to accept.

Photos will be posted when I have time and the body is dry (the wet look is somewhat misleading).
 
#1,006
This is what I've got right now, although I tried to fix the perimeter (got lighter strikes in it), but I actually made it a bit worse I guess, but consistent. I am also not sure what the surface is when dried.

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With the varnish it will be more bright, and the pickguard looks good on this colour. Maybe I need to order more red, and do another pass with strong colour, but not sure. Could be too watery now due to me trying to blend in the black all day..

All opinions are welcome, thanks for the support y'all :smug:
 
#1,010
Beej said:
Setbacks aside, it still looks fantastic, your methods are sound and your craftsmanship is still stellar. I've got total confidence it will work out...
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Thanks, still not happy, I want perfectness, but I think it is something I can work with, as my first coloured top.

Prostheta said:
I'm scared that this didn't come out on scrap tests Rob. Do you still have much left?
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What do you mean? I have nothing left. But I did varnish on the test piece, no evidence of the colour reactivating.

MPU said:
I say it looks good now. The flame shows up fine and the colour is nice. Varnish will make it look deeper.
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Thanks, it looks better than yesterday indeed. The flame and colour is what I want. The small little black dots are almost invisible, certainly from this distance and when photographed with my phone cam. Only drawback is the perimeter. I do hope that the varnish will indeed make it deeper, it did look so when still wet, so I hope I'm going to pull this off.

One thing I know now, is that I have to practice this process on larger test projects, but no basses, a lot more to gain authority in staining. I'm sure it could work very well and the process itself is easy and flexibel. But I still do not have full control over what happens. And I'm insecure about some steps, making me going on for too long or finding it hard to decide when to stop sanding, e.g.
 
#1,014
The top is dry now and I took some pictures of the result.

The first four are taken under low light (normal light source). Makes it look a bit purple, but that's not the real colour. Under this light, the flames look perfect. The burst is a bit sloppy but nothing that should be noticeable from any reasonable distance. The flames are good and the black dots are invisible:

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The following picture is taken with an extra spotlight right above the bass, this shows the actual red (which may be more vibrant with the varnish over it):

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And with the same spotlight on the bass, you can see the black dots that are invisible with the other light source, this being the worst spot:

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#1,015
I can't tell for sure, but it looks like most of the black spots will be covered by the pick guard.

I don't think you could ruin anything by trying one more time if your not satisfied, but I would probably be satisfied with that result.
 
#1,017
Prostheta said:
The burst could be repaired but would be easier to start again. The spots are a bit annoying. Does the pick guard actually cover them or not? The top horn looks a little dark but can be lightened by blending in more red. The danger is lowering the effect of the initial figure enhancing work.
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I wouldn't say it is easy to start again, a few hours of sanding and preparing, for the burst starting with black again and sanding again etc..

The spots, I never had a piece where I didn't have them, only one time maybe but then the flames were hardly enhanced. I may do something wrong but I do not know what yet. Starting again is not likely to be the solution without lots more practice. The black spots are annoying, indeed, but any work done on the body from this point onwards isn't doing it any good. The varnish edge gets more wear e.g.

Anyone ever had spots like that?

I will clear it with naphtha to see if the burst looks good when wetted.

@Hopkins: that's what I think too, it looks good enough to continue. The spots are partly covered by the pick, but certainly not all and the spot you see there ain't too.
 

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