Trans Black?

[JonnyAngle]

I stripped the paint off of my Sterling because it was flaking off. It was originally black and now I want to refinish it in trans black. I got the paint off, but I'm not sure how to do the trans black.

Can I buy the black stain they sell at the hardware store and do a clear coat over it?

It appears that there is still a shell on the bass right now, do I need to remove it? thanks!

 

[JonnyAngle]

Pics

 

[Hopkins]

I don't know how good trans black would look with that body. The grain isn't very pronounced.

 

[ibateur]

Stain first to bring out the grain, then coats of transparent black paint on top. I don't know if the finish still has some nitro or poly on it.

Edit: ... and I agree, that doesn't really have much figuring on it. What is it? Basswood?

 

[JonnyAngle]

The wood is "select hardwood" per the website. All of the trans blacks I've seen you can't even tell they are trans until up close, and that's what I'm after. With that in mind, are you guys still thinking a no go on trans black?

 

[bassteban]

I'm w/the *trans black will look blah on that body* guys- I see it appearing as a mostly-featureless dark grey. You might get a piece of similarly-figured wood & experiment, though.

 

[ibateur]

The wood is "select hardwood" per the website. All of the trans blacks I've seen you can't even tell they are trans until up close, and that's what I'm after. With that in mind, are you guys still thinking a no go on trans black?

Its your bass dude, we're only riff-raff here.

Now, the facts are there. The figuring isn't great on it. You can try first a stain (and sand) to see if you can bring out the grain a bit. If that is satisfactory, then spraying on light coats of trans black to the degree of opaque-ness you desire, will probably work well against what you're imagining. That's quite the effort but if you're up to it, dude, go for it! Post pics as you progress though.

 

[JonnyAngle]

I'm going for it, pics will come

 

[JonnyAngle]

First coat still wet

 

[imustscream]

If your heart is set on black than so be it but I highly recommend never attempting black (or red) unless you've done this kind of thing before

 

[Means2nEnd]

To get a good black stain a (alcohol based) black dye is the way to go for the best most deep rick color. There are water based dyes but they tend to look more bluish and not nearly as nice as the alcohol. I was instructed to purchase denatured alcohol and then blend the dye and alcohol and then get a similar piece of wood and do a test run.

I’m in PA and there is a great resource for these products called Woodcraft. After you dye the wood with an old t-shirt you can finish with a poly finish or true oil or Tung oil after the dye is completely dry. I wouldn’t attempt a clear coat it’s an art unto itself.

 

[ibateur]

First coat still wet

First coat of what mate?

 

[String Theory]

If it doesn't look as you desire, just spray it solid black.

 

[JonnyAngle]

First coat of what mate?

Clear. And that's all the info I have

 

[ctmullins]

Looks good to me! And if it looks good to you, that's all that matters!

Doesn't look black, though...

 

[JonnyAngle]

Black is next... maybe tomorrow

 

[CnB77]

If you end up displeased with the look, you could always put a veneer of something with a lot of figure on top and do a trans over that

 

[JonnyAngle]

First cost of black

 

[Hopkins]

I might have been wrong, this may look great.

 

[chuck norriss]

Looks tight. Smoky. You already started on this--I was going to mention dye vs. stain. Not matter. Looks good all the same.