Official Luthiers Forum!

So I've been wondering how you guys keep the top stain from bleeding onto the maple side strip. I have been using blue painters tape, but I'm still getting a little bleed. What do you guys do to prevent or correct this? I can sand the sides after staining to get rid of some of the bleed, but I can't get all of it sometimes.

_________________
Barron Wesley Guitars

You really can't prevent it totally.Taping is the best option that i know of. Maybe someone out there has a better option. Your just going to have to scrape the sides clean of any stain that seaped. If your into electric building more then acoustic check out the link below. Its not just all teles like the name implies. Check out the Tele Home depot portion of the forum. Some great buildin tips there. By the way nice job there...Mike
http://www.tdpri.com/

What about sealing with shellac?

Thanks for the info guys. Ya - I was thinking of maybe sealing the trim beforestaining the top. I just didn't know if it was the most efficient way of getting this done. Maybe I will have to shellac the trim or something..hmmm??

_________________
Barron Wesley Guitars

I thought I saw on youtube or another forum that PRS does this with using a sealer. A coat or two of shellac or lacquer keep the stain from bleeding, what I have seen done is the area to be stained is taped, and the reason that this works better is that the sealer is thicker than the stain, and by its nature does not soak into the wood in the same way.

Rusty,

I have tried a couple of things. Here is what I have come up with...

-as the pros would say - don't try to use painters tape to do precision work. Purchase some form of a auto-body detailing detail or pin strping tape. You will get a much more consistent edge than with any paper-based tape. But prior to doing this, it is important to tape off everything but the edge and seal it with epoxy, shellac, sanding sealer, etc...

-if you are willing to put in the time, I think the best way is to emply some of the traditional methods and etch the color transition line with a razor blade (using a standard jig with a following pin to set the spacing). This will cut the wood fibers and ensure the dye cannot saturate the wood beneath the tape and sealer - something that neither one can truly prevent. This takes patience, but by far is the cleanest way to get an edge.

Stephen

_________________
www.ziegenfussguitars.com

Do you happen to have a diagram or something so I know exactly what you mean with this method? Thanks..!

_________________
Barron Wesley Guitars

Rusty,

check this out:
BEX PURFLING GROOVE CUTTER

Then imagine a razor blade as a cutter as opposed to anything thicker. Take you time and make a shallow, consistent cut that will fill easily with lacquer...

_________________
www.ziegenfussguitars.com