twobears Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 It was Mr Two Bears' birthday this week and I got him a 'build yourself a guitar' kit that he had had his eye on for a while. It doesn't look too complicated because most components are pre-made but it is a bit harder than making up flat pack furniture, apparently Anyway, it doesn't come with any instructions (deliberately) and he is scratching his head over what to paint/dye/stain it with. He wants to wax or oil the wood so that you can still see the grain but I think that both of those treatments will wear off and get onto the strings etc. Does anyone have any ideas please? He doesn't really want to varnish it because he doesn't want a gloss finish or even the more matt finish that you can obtain with some types of varnish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 I made one of these once...... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobears Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Wow, such craftmanship Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 No wax No oil No gloss No Matt Won't wear off I'm not sure anything exists! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobears Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Erm, put like that I think I agree I meant to say that he wants a matt finish but not a matt varnish if possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZEUS Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Wax it ( the guitar that is) ! Won't cause you any problems once dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATTAK Z Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 This is what I use 25g of gum arabic 1/2 teaspoon of honey 1/4 teaspoon of rock candy about 100cc of water albumen from one egg white. - Crush the rock candy - Warm the water but do not boil - Slowly add the gum arabic, stirring constantly until dissolved - Add honey and rock candy - Strain the mixture through a fine cloth (handkerchief or sheeting) and let cool While the mixture is cooling - whip an egg white into a meringue and turn the bowl on edge. - Allow the mixture to settle out and remove the liquid that separates. (this is the albumin) - Add the albumin to the cooled mixture and stir well 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobears Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Thanks Zeus. The guitar doesn't have hairy legs but waxing it sounds great, unless I go for Hugh's recipe! What is rock candy when it's at home? Sounds very American. I'm not even really sure what gum arabic is if I'm being honest. Honey, eggs and water are easy enough to obtain though. I will Google the unusual ingredients and let Mr Two Bears know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobears Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Hmm, Googling rock candy returned one very unexpected result Apart from that it looks like the sugar on those sticks that you get to put in coffee and gum arabic seems easily obtainable in art shops so maybe this is the way forward. Will pass recipe on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Or just use some teak oil or similar. What's it made of? Makes a big difference to what you use to finish it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATTAK Z Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Hmm, Googling rock candy returned one very unexpected result Apart from that it looks like the sugar on those sticks that you get to put in coffee and gum arabic seems easily obtainable in art shops so maybe this is the way forward. Will pass recipe on Stradivarius would be pleased to hear that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobears Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 It's made of maple and you can obviously paint it but it would look good sanded and waxed or whatever. I like the idea of doing it the traditional way a la Hugh's suggestion because violins always look nice and I like a bit of cooking so I could help. I love waxing wood too (although that comment may be misinterpreted knowing my luck on here ). All my doors are waxed at home and I did the kitchen beams too and I think they look great. It is a very theraputic thing to do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZEUS Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 You could try oiling it to bring the grain out and then when it's dry 3 coats of wax. Trust me I'm a decorator! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobears Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 You could try oiling it to bring the grain out and then when it's dry 3 coats of wax. Trust me I'm a decorator! Great line Zeus!! Do you sand it before oiling or just afterwards? It seems very rough at the moment (straight out of the box). Do you have any specific oil and wax in mind? I am guessing that he should look for water based wax if such a thing is available? We have white sofas and pale carpets and I really don't want wax all over them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZEUS Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 (edited) Sand with a fine grade paper until super smooth then oil which will raise the grain a little. Re- flat it if necessary then wax, I like Fiddes or Briwax. As with gloss paints , avoid water based products , wood needs oil! Edited September 19, 2014 by ZEUS 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobears Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Ok, thanks very much for the advice Zeus I hope I am allowed to do this bit of the process myself Will post photos once it is complete but don't hold your breath as Mr Two Bears is hardly ever at home to work on projects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZEUS Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Happy to help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 It's made of maple and you can obviously paint it but it would look good sanded and waxed or whatever. I like the idea of doing it the traditional way a la Hugh's suggestion because violins always look nice and I like a bit of cooking so I could help. I love waxing wood too (although that comment may be misinterpreted knowing my luck on here ). All my doors are waxed at home and I did the kitchen beams too and I think they look great. It is a very theraputic thing to do Well if its made of Maple you need to smother Mr Two Bears' thing in this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmc Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 Mix 50% PURE turps with 50% linsead oil. The turps is only ther to thin the oil and help it soak into the wood, it will evaparate. Try a on a sample piece first though as once done its irreversable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobears Posted September 20, 2014 Author Share Posted September 20, 2014 DoogyRev, much as I love maple syrup I will not be smearing Mr Two Bears' 'thing' with it because that could lead to something untoward ... wasp stings perhaps 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobears Posted September 20, 2014 Author Share Posted September 20, 2014 Thanks lmc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATTAK Z Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 I'll just leave this here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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