Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm finally back up and building after a move a year ago and a massive remodel. The new shop is in the basement, so I'm trying out alternative finishes avoid the VOC and smell issues with nitro. I went with the EM6000. I'm still spraying outside, but it's nice to be able to move the guitar inside quickly without stinking up the house or aggravating my wife. First impressions are pretty promising. Seems to spray on pretty well with just a little bit of change to my gun settings.

Unfortunately I seem to have a little contamination that has created a couple of splotches on the top that just won't behave. The only solution is to strip and start over. Any suggestions on stripping?

And a second question. The EM6K is super clear, but definitely lacks some warmth that I'm used to with nitro. I'd like to add a touch of Amber to warm it up a little. Also, I usually tint my necks a little bit darker. Can I just use my standard TransTint dyes? Can't seem to find any guidance on line.

Thanks!

_________________
Tony Thatcher
Bozeman, Montana

I put a couple of drops of amber (the dye from StewMac) in a quart of em6000. Any dye that is water or alcohol soluble will work. Alcohol will dissolve em6000.

That's exactly what I what I was thinking. Thanks for confirming it.

-T

_________________
Tony Thatcher
Bozeman, Montana

I would never use a chemical or solvent stripper. Use a scraper and sandpaper. If you use solvents you'll have a gooey mess.

Dewaxed shellac adds some warmth, but more importantly depth to the overall WB finish. If its looking too pasty or cold then add the Vintage Amber.

Also - try to evaluate the finish outside under diffused or shaded conditions. The bluish tint prevalent to most WB formulations really shows up most outside.

_________________
Jeff Jewitt
www.JewittGuitars.com
www.homesteadfinishingproducts.com

Thanks, Jeff. I started in with the scraper yesterday evening. Should go pretty quickly.

I always do a shellac coat the first thing. I agree that it helps with a little warmth and also gives the depth.

I'm racing a weather window right now, and with having to redo the top, I think I'm going to lose. I've got a few days in the 60s, then down into winter. Might have to try my hand at brushing it on!

_________________
Tony Thatcher
Bozeman, Montana

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with using a stripper (that sounds funny). Problem is, you can't get the "good stuff" anymore. I bought a bunch of it when it was banned. It is messy. But it minimizes sanding and scraping which can alter the guitar. I would def not use a solvent like acetone, etc.

I had a problem once where some CA wicked into the end grain on a couple of tops. Impossible to remove. I added (as above) some amber to some EM 6000 and it completely was covered up. Looked good too!

Thanks, Mike. Stripping with a card scraper and sandpaper only took about an hour, so I'm back on track.

This has been one of those guitars that just keeps giving.....router slip when cutting the purfling channel led to a new top, finish contamination leads to strip and respray, what's next? As if I needed a reminder that this is 2020!

_________________
Tony Thatcher
Bozeman, Montana

Oh, I wouldn't ask. 2020 has almost two more months to torture us.

Watch out for a murder hornet infestation.

I have been using EM6000 for years. Do a couple of coats of dew axes shellac first, then shoot the EM6000 over the top of that. Comes out absolutely beautiful.