Carpentry and Woodworking - Sunburst Finishes

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View Full Version : Sunburst Finishes


03-06-01, 03:46 PM
Hey!
I'm fairly new at this... Mostly I'm involved with woodworking because I'm refinishing a solid body guitar. I'm interested in doing a sunburst finish. I don't really care what kind, tobacco, blue, green... I think they all look great. I guess the easier the better. Does anyone know how this is accomplished? I'd be very appreciative if someone out there could tell me or direct me to a website/source where I could find out. If you're wondering what I'm looking for as far as looks go, check out http://www.carvin.com and look at thier guitars and basses, they have some truly beautiful finishes.
Thanks
Andy


George
03-06-01, 05:08 PM
Andy:

"Sunbursts" are nothing more than one color laid over another, usually in lacquer.

The background color is laid on first. Once dry, you start at the sound hole in the guitar, spray around it and move out slowly from the hole while simulatneously moving away from the guitar itself. The result is the second color fades into the first.

A little practice is needed to get it right, and some minor polishing is needed after the second color has dried as the outer edges of the sunburst will probably be a little rough.

This effect is best accomplished with a 'touchup' gun, or a spray setup you can really narrow the fan on.

03-06-01, 05:17 PM
George,
Thanks for your reply. Hypothetically speaking, if you wanted the grain of the wood to show thru, how would this be done? Using two translucent finishes?
Thanks
Andy


fewalt
03-09-01, 09:39 PM
dre24450,
Have you considered a beautiful wood veneer? They come in all kinds of wood grains. If you want ot add colors, as you mentioned, you may want to try an airbrush.

George
03-16-01, 04:54 PM
Andy:

The grain (texture) of the wood can show using an opaque finish - just don't use a sanding sealer as part of the prep and go light on the finish. If you want the color to show through, you're talking about making a choice - sunbursts are made with opaque lacquer - you can have the sunburst or the grain color - but not both.