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Ok So i have an extra Saga ht-10 PRS style kit here at the house and I thought I would build it. The problem is the body and the neck are sealed with a sanding sealer that is very durable. What is the best way to remove this sealer and not damage the flamed maple veneer top! I would really like to do a Blue translucent finish on the face of the body and headstock but I think that I must remove the sealer to get it to work so I need to know the best way to remove the sealer and obtain the translucent finish that I desire? (without sanding through the maple veneer) Are there other options to achieve the results I am looking for? Will Re-ranch tinted lacquer work over the sanding sealer? Also the body is basswood with a maple top then a veneered cap. Will I need to use grain-fill on the top of the body? I figure I will need it for the back on the basswood but do I need it on the top? Thanks in advance for the advice! Shawn

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You should be able to finish right over the sealer. You can tint your finish to do a translucent finish, just make sure the finish and the tint are compatible. Tint it lightly and spray numerous coats to achieve the desired affect. You should only have to fill the grain on porous wood, you don't have to on maple and I don't think you would need to on basswood. Good luck.

So it is possible to do a translucent tint to lacquer in Blue? What about using poly can it be used tinted translucent Blue as well? Thanks Shawn

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Blues before Sunrise!!
http://www.creativespecialtydesigns.com Guitar and Bass kits here!
http://www.fretjammer.com
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I don't know about poly, I have never tinted it with a dye, I have tinted with an oil base stain. The dye would have to be compatible with mineral spirits for an oil base poly. It might work with a waterbase poly, but I have never tried it. You might be able to spray the dye right over the sealer, then seal the dye with a coat of shellac. Then apply a poly finish.

I was just curious about the poly...I am going to try to use the re-ranch tinted translucent lacquer spray cans because I am not set up with a booth; But Im still trying to figure if the sealer and the finish are gonna be compatible. I have also tinted some poly with a solvent based stain but never hung out long enough for the long term effects of time. But while I was around it it looked good. I appreciate all suggestions. Shawn

_________________
Blues before Sunrise!!
http://www.creativespecialtydesigns.com Guitar and Bass kits here!
http://www.fretjammer.com
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default ... tent=music

I talked to a finish tech at Stewmac today and he said to hand sand the body and neck 220 then 320 then spray 2 light coats of shellac hand sand to scuff then use tint in lacquer 2-3 coats to get desired color sanding between coats then proceed with the clears as you normally would sanding up to 1200 then polishing and all would be great! So I am very relieved that I don't have to strip or sand all of that sealer off! I will have pics of build progress coming soon! Its gonna be a PRS style with 2 HB's from torres engineering a very vintage in the neck and a Blues overwound in the bridge! The color is going to be a translucent blue top with a Cherry looking back and vintage yellow on the back of the neck. The Head stock will be trans blue also; Its gonna look sweet!

_________________
Blues before Sunrise!!
http://www.creativespecialtydesigns.com Guitar and Bass kits here!
http://www.fretjammer.com
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default ... tent=music