Fender Telecaster: Question for those who have had them.
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I have had the best luck with sanding between coats of polyurethane. Never used aerosol lacquer. Might be a similar process though. Polishing with 0000 steel wool will also smooth out the finish, both between coats and as a final step.
The best way to avoid drips with a spray finish is to keep the can/sprayer well away from your project. It takes longer to spray from a distance and you lose a fair amount of product, but it is far easier to spray more, light coats than to have to level out drips and runs in between coats.
I'll try to get a couple pictures of my last refinish. It started out as a black P-Bass. Refinished to natural using whatever Thompsons polyurethane I had on hand. I think it was left over from when we stripped and refinished the hardwood floors in an old rental house.If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV0 -
If I ever get one of these, I'll hire someone to do the finish because I suck at varnishing, lacquering, etc. Then I'll hire someone to do the electronics because I suck at electronics. Then I'll hire someone to adjust the bridge and string the guitar because I suck at bridge adjustment and stringing guitars [note to self: at least two of yours need it- badly]. Or I might just keep looking for one that is pre-built.
"It's a sad and beautiful world"-Roberto Benigni0 -
Thanks for the info! So, steel wool instead of sanding? Works for me!dudeman said:I have had the best luck with sanding between coats of polyurethane. Never used aerosol lacquer. Might be a similar process though. Polishing with 0000 steel wool will also smooth out the finish, both between coats and as a final step.
The best way to avoid drips with a spray finish is to keep the can/sprayer well away from your project. It takes longer to spray from a distance and you lose a fair amount of product, but it is far easier to spray more, light coats than to have to level out drips and runs in between coats.
I'll try to get a couple pictures of my last refinish. It started out as a black P-Bass. Refinished to natural using whatever Thompsons polyurethane I had on hand. I think it was left over from when we stripped and refinished the hardwood floors in an old rental house.
I did keep the can away from the project. I think the initial spray (which is what needs some work) was result of the product coming out thick from the can initially. I almost sprayed a bit on a piece of cardboard after shaking...but I thought I was good to go. Now I know to do that every single time. Thanks again....really enjoying this project & I hope to move forward soon!I LOVE MUSIC.
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com0 -
It's fun to just dive in there...even if you fuck it up. It just feels like it's your guitar....warts and all. My sister & her husband will be helping me with the electronics/soldering because I've never done it before, but I'm ready to dive in and learn.brianlux said:If I ever get one of these, I'll hire someone to do the finish because I suck at varnishing, lacquering, etc. Then I'll hire someone to do the electronics because I suck at electronics. Then I'll hire someone to adjust the bridge and string the guitar because I suck at bridge adjustment and stringing guitars [note to self: at least two of yours need it- badly]. Or I might just keep looking for one that is pre-built. I LOVE MUSIC.
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com0 -
If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV0 -
Shitty pictures, but I tried to catch that you can see reflections in the finish. Also, it is apparent why Fender applied a solid color paint to this body. It's a bunch of pieces of wood glued together with no attention given to grain matching.
Works well enough for me, though. This one lives on a stand so it's ready to grab whenever. It was a fun project and I ended up with a solid beater bass that inspires me to play more.If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV0 -
mfc2006 said:
It's fun to just dive in there...even if you fuck it up. It just feels like it's your guitar....warts and all. My sister & her husband will be helping me with the electronics/soldering because I've never done it before, but I'm ready to dive in and learn.brianlux said:If I ever get one of these, I'll hire someone to do the finish because I suck at varnishing, lacquering, etc. Then I'll hire someone to do the electronics because I suck at electronics. Then I'll hire someone to adjust the bridge and string the guitar because I suck at bridge adjustment and stringing guitars [note to self: at least two of yours need it- badly]. Or I might just keep looking for one that is pre-built.
I have to admit, it actually is tempting. Not too expensive. And I do have a soldering gun somewhere and have used it a few time- with mixed results. I wouldn't say I'm out of the game all together.
"It's a sad and beautiful world"-Roberto Benigni0 -
"I'll tell you what: If all I had was Pearl Jam, and I didn't have another band in the world, I would not be worried. Because in there is the essence of making great music. You don't have to use it all at once, but it's there." - Neil Young0 -
Love my Tele. I play in a cover band, and I like using the Tele over my Strat or Les Paul. But it def does lack the beef needed for some rocking songs like Shipping Up to Boston. I do the “dun dun” on an E power chord and that's where you can tell the Les Paul would def be better for that. But I love the Tele and try it anyway!"I'll tell you what: If all I had was Pearl Jam, and I didn't have another band in the world, I would not be worried. Because in there is the essence of making great music. You don't have to use it all at once, but it's there." - Neil Young0
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Can’t wait to work on the Tele over the long weekendI LOVE MUSIC.
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com0 -
Quick Update on the project:
I am taking advantage of the 4 day weekend! I just used some 0000 Steel Wool to take care of the "clumpy" parts of the lacquer and it worked great! Thanks for the tip, @dudeman! I also just put the first coat of Fretboard Finishing Oil on the fretboard. It needs to dry for 24 hours, then I'll do one more coat. I'll finish off the fretboard with some boiled linseed oil, which should arrive in the mail tomorrow & will darken it quite a bit. I'm not sure if I want another coat of lacquer on the body...I like the way it looks and feels right now. So, we'll see. After I make that decision, it is time to BUILD! Can't wait for that step! Have a great day, all!
I LOVE MUSIC.
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com0 -
mfc2006 said:Quick Update on the project:
I am taking advantage of the 4 day weekend! I just used some 0000 Steel Wool to take care of the "clumpy" parts of the lacquer and it worked great! Thanks for the tip, @dudeman! I also just put the first coat of Fretboard Finishing Oil on the fretboard. It needs to dry for 24 hours, then I'll do one more coat. I'll finish off the fretboard with some boiled linseed oil, which should arrive in the mail tomorrow & will darken it quite a bit. I'm not sure if I want another coat of lacquer on the body...I like the way it looks and feels right now. So, we'll see. After I make that decision, it is time to BUILD! Can't wait for that step! Have a great day, all!
It's looking great! So cool that you are doing this!
"It's a sad and beautiful world"-Roberto Benigni0 -
Thanks, man! It's a lot of fun too!brianlux said:mfc2006 said:Quick Update on the project:
I am taking advantage of the 4 day weekend! I just used some 0000 Steel Wool to take care of the "clumpy" parts of the lacquer and it worked great! Thanks for the tip, @dudeman! I also just put the first coat of Fretboard Finishing Oil on the fretboard. It needs to dry for 24 hours, then I'll do one more coat. I'll finish off the fretboard with some boiled linseed oil, which should arrive in the mail tomorrow & will darken it quite a bit. I'm not sure if I want another coat of lacquer on the body...I like the way it looks and feels right now. So, we'll see. After I make that decision, it is time to BUILD! Can't wait for that step! Have a great day, all!
It's looking great! So cool that you are doing this!I LOVE MUSIC.
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com0 -
It's coming together! Looks great Matt.mfc2006 said:
Thanks, man! It's a lot of fun too!brianlux said:mfc2006 said:Quick Update on the project:
I am taking advantage of the 4 day weekend! I just used some 0000 Steel Wool to take care of the "clumpy" parts of the lacquer and it worked great! Thanks for the tip, @dudeman! I also just put the first coat of Fretboard Finishing Oil on the fretboard. It needs to dry for 24 hours, then I'll do one more coat. I'll finish off the fretboard with some boiled linseed oil, which should arrive in the mail tomorrow & will darken it quite a bit. I'm not sure if I want another coat of lacquer on the body...I like the way it looks and feels right now. So, we'll see. After I make that decision, it is time to BUILD! Can't wait for that step! Have a great day, all!
It's looking great! So cool that you are doing this!I'll ride the wave where it takes me......0 -
Thanks!mcgruff10 said:
It's coming together! Looks great Matt.mfc2006 said:
Thanks, man! It's a lot of fun too!brianlux said:mfc2006 said:Quick Update on the project:
I am taking advantage of the 4 day weekend! I just used some 0000 Steel Wool to take care of the "clumpy" parts of the lacquer and it worked great! Thanks for the tip, @dudeman! I also just put the first coat of Fretboard Finishing Oil on the fretboard. It needs to dry for 24 hours, then I'll do one more coat. I'll finish off the fretboard with some boiled linseed oil, which should arrive in the mail tomorrow & will darken it quite a bit. I'm not sure if I want another coat of lacquer on the body...I like the way it looks and feels right now. So, we'll see. After I make that decision, it is time to BUILD! Can't wait for that step! Have a great day, all!
It's looking great! So cool that you are doing this!I LOVE MUSIC.
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com0 -
Always wanted to have a Telecaster to call my own. I always thought they just sounded so great and looked so cool. My favorite guitar design. Loved playing them when friends owned them. Then the added cool factor that Prince, Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen, and Eddie Vedder all have Teles as their go-to guitars.
Finally took the dive and picked one up. 2020 American Ultra in Texas Tea. It has that classic Tele tone but the new pickups add something to the mix. I’m really enjoying it. Even the wife said “i’ve heard you play these songs for years but wow it sounds different!” So im having fun.
It’s a black metallic that turns gold-ish in the light. 
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That is absolutely beautiful, man! Wow!cp3iverson said:Always wanted to have a Telecaster to call my own. I always thought they just sounded so great and looked so cool. My favorite guitar design. Loved playing them when friends owned them. Then the added cool factor that Prince, Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen, and Eddie Vedder all have Teles as their go-to guitars.
Finally took the dive and picked one up. 2020 American Ultra in Texas Tea. It has that classic Tele tone but the new pickups add something to the mix. I’m really enjoying it. Even the wife said “i’ve heard you play these songs for years but wow it sounds different!” So im having fun.
It’s a black metallic that turns gold-ish in the light. I LOVE MUSIC.
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com0 -
Thanks, Matt! I keep checking daily to see yours!mfc2006 said:That is absolutely beautiful, man! Wow!0
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