Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Neil Johnson on April 11, 2014 at 5:28am

I do mine in the basement. It doesn't stink the house up.

Permalink Reply by Joe Caruso on April 15, 2014 at 6:29am

Thanks Neil - do you have a vent hood exhausting to the outside or just open a few windows? 

Permalink Reply by Neil Johnson on April 15, 2014 at 11:46pm

I have a window right above where I do my staining ect... that does the trick.

Permalink Reply by David McQueen on April 11, 2014 at 8:48am

You do have to have some heat. I think 15 degrees is required ( would have to look at the tin to be sure). I did one just prior to last Christmas. It had been commissioned so it had to be done. I did it in the bathroom. The odour was not bad. When I do mine, the first couple coats are thinned with mineral spirits, which would be worst than straight varnish. You are only using about 2 tablespoons of varnish mix for the first coat or two and then only a tablespoon for each coat after. You are probably right that the basement might not be best, especially close to the hot water tank with a pilot light.

Permalink Reply by Joe Caruso on April 15, 2014 at 6:28am

David - thanks for the feedback. I hadn't thought of thinning the first few coats. Thanks for the idea

Permalink Reply by David McQueen on April 15, 2014 at 7:18am

I thin the first two coats half and half with mineral spirits. I sand between coats. Come the third coat, I am using about three quarters to quarter varnish to spirit. It flows smoother when thinned, especially if it is cool, which happens a lot here. Apparently this is the same technique used if you want to do brush laquer. It takes about two tablespoons total to the first coat and less for each coat thereafter. I am sanding down to 400 grit. I don't think you can get down much further with poly eurathane. You can't buff it out like laquer, at least not soon after it is done. My understanding is the varnish keeps curing for some time. I would love to hear if someone has buffed out this type of varnish after the guitar is say a year old and the varnish much fuller cured. I am using high gloss. Others seem to like flat.

Permalink Reply by Joe Caruso on April 25, 2014 at 1:08pm

Thanks Dave - very helpful!