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Quilted maple veneer tobacco burst finish

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by Bob McAlister, May 2, 2019.

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  1. May 2, 2019 #1
    Bob McAlister

    Bob McAlister 6tzguy Supporting Member

    Aug 22, 2004
    Orange County, Ca.
    Help! I have vacuum bagged a quilted maple veneer on my Bass body. I'll be working with nitro for clear coats, but I'm not sure if I need to grain fill first or ? This pic is what I'm trying to achieve lakland tobacco.JPG .
     
  2. May 2, 2019 #2
    bobdabilder

    bobdabilder

    Feb 5, 2013
    mississippi, usa
    Man I love my 5502 like that. Good luck with it.
     
  3. May 2, 2019 #3
    James Strange

    James Strange

    Apr 3, 2015
    It think depends on the finish you you want. I am guessing you want a smooth, maybe even mirror finish. That requires a grain filler.
     
  4. May 2, 2019 #4
    Christopher DBG

    Christopher DBG Commercial User

    May 18, 2015
    Westerly, RI
    Luthier/Owner, Christopher Bass Guitar
    Maple does not need a grain filler. In fact, if you fill the grain you will greatly diminish the effect staining has in bringing out the quilt figure.
     
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  5. May 2, 2019 #5
    Bob McAlister

    Bob McAlister 6tzguy Supporting Member

    Aug 22, 2004
    Orange County, Ca.
    Typically I would agree Christopher, but as a retired woodworker I know what your saying in regards to 'regular' maple (flatsawn or quartersawn) being very closed grain, but this quilted maple veneer has a lot of open grain. It looks like it's 'rotary cut'. hmmm, and yes, James, I want a super high gloss finished product. Hmmm
     
  6. May 3, 2019 #6
    Beej

    Beej

    Feb 10, 2007
    Vancouver Island
    I agree with @Christopher DBG, I don't think grain fill will be necessary and the grain will pop beautifully under nitro. :)
     
  7. May 3, 2019 #7
    SLivinghouse

    SLivinghouse

    Aug 31, 2004
    Meadow Vista, CA
    Take a few minutes and check out the Christopher site and appreciate the work of the guy who gave you free advice! It's amazing what you can learn here from the many pros and talented bass building nerds abound.
     
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  8. May 3, 2019 #8
    Bob McAlister

    Bob McAlister 6tzguy Supporting Member

    Aug 22, 2004
    Orange County, Ca.
    I will check out Christophers site. Christopher, would it work if I used a vinyl sealer first???? thx!!!!!
     
  9. May 3, 2019 #9
    Jon Clegg

    Jon Clegg Supporting Member

    Feb 9, 2015
    Northern Virginia
    I used zpoxy finishing resin on this quilt to fill the more open grain spots and pop the figure. I could easily see using a toner to achieve a burst. 20190319_201858.jpg
     
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  10. May 3, 2019 #10
    Christopher DBG

    Christopher DBG Commercial User

    May 18, 2015
    Westerly, RI
    Luthier/Owner, Christopher Bass Guitar
    I've had good success keeping the figure strong using a lacquer based vinyl sealer before color coats. Color coats are stain mixed with 80% lacquer thinner and 20% lacquer. Sprayed in a fairly wet coat the figure still draws the stain in well with the sealer. I could be wrong, but I'm not sure it would with a serious grain filler or heavy sanding sealer first.
     
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  11. May 3, 2019 #11
    Beej

    Beej

    Feb 10, 2007
    Vancouver Island
    @Jon Clegg your shop floor looks like the interior of my mind... :D
     
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  12. May 3, 2019 #12
    Bob McAlister

    Bob McAlister 6tzguy Supporting Member

    Aug 22, 2004
    Orange County, Ca.
    Thx, Christopher. I'll play it safe with the vinyl sealer and go from there.
    Jon Clegg, does that reel to reel work? How cool. My shop looks very much like that most of the time. :thumbsup:
     
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