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OK, I'm going to try a handrubbed sunburst using stain directly on wood. In the past I have done this using the 'Clearwater' thixotropic gel stains. These are waterbased so I can use any finish over the top that I choose. They do not penetrate quit as much as the thinner oil or alcohol stains. The only problem is I'm having trouble finding them. Garret Wade used to carry them and still has a few colors but it looks like they are phasing them out. StewMac had them at one time but discontinued them as well. The nice thing about them is you can dilute the color by adding a clear extender to any color and you can mix colors easily and they work quite well on end grain because they don't penetrate like thin stains.

Anybody have another source for them?John How38698.6456712963

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

John I am not sure I follow your post -- are you looking for waterbased stains? If so try Lee Valley Tools. http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&cat=1,190&p=4299 6

They have a number of aniline water soluable stains and sell mail order to the U.S.Anthony Z38698.6655902778

I'm looking for a specific brand 'Clearwater' that is a thickened gel that is very easy to control shading with a pad.
I haven't been able to find though so I'll probably have to try something different.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

you might e-mail kim walker. I love the bursts he does....

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

John, oh man that's a bummer if you can no longer get it. This may be a dumb ass idea, but would it be possible to mix a water based aniline with water based shellac that Target sells and then pad it on as you would if you were french polishing the burst on?

John,

Woodworkers has some colors.

http://woodworker.com/Varnish.htm
Bottom of the page.

Or, call the company.

Clearwater Color Co Incorporated
168 Irving Ave Ste 101
Port Chester, NY 10573-4144
(914) 939-3338

John,

I don't know if they have stock but also try:

http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VI EWPROD&ProdID=1198

Hey John, I have every color of stain they make at my shop, this is the greatest stain for necks and Mahogany. I use it all the time. They make a color box that has all the colors they make. Highland Hardware has it, as Keith M posted, but I had to wait a month to get it last time I ordered, maybe they got a bunch with mine. John if you need some right now I would be glad to UPS the colors you need to you and when you are done just ship them back.

Thank you Keith

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

John, I've seen those stains at several online shops including Highland Tools. Google for "Smooth and Simple" Stains. Also at woodworker's supply.Scott Thompson38699.5863194444

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Scott Thompson
Port Townsend,WA

"In a perfect world we'd all sing in tune
But this is reality so give me some room"
-Billy Bragg

Has anyone done or found any good online how-to's or photo essays on doing this type of sunburst? Or any books or videos? I don't have any immediate plans to get set up for spraying, but I'd love to be able do a burst with a French polish finish.

Can you use a waterbased stain with a shellac finish, or are alcohol soluble analine dies better for that? Do you have to mask off wooden bindings and purfling, or will the stain scrape off?

Kathy Matsushita has a pretty good description of doing a rubbed sunburst on her Mandolin project page.

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Jonathan Kendall, Siloam Springs AR

Much thanks guys, I was starting to think these were not available anymore. I will place an order today before they go away.

Jon, I believe you can use water based stains under just about anything on bare wood and these don't raise the grain like the thinner varieties of water stain do and they look much more natural on end grain as they don't soak in as much.
You should probably mask areas that you don't want the stain on though. I usually place a dark purlfing next to the area that I will be staining so I can mask on that line and if I get some stain on it, it really won't be noticable.

Thanks again for all your help guys John How38699.6089583333

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Thanks for the tips, John. I just ordered both the paintbox and woodtone starter kits from Highland Hardware. This will be a good way to dress up some of my "opportunity grade" rosewood sets from Allied.

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Jonathan Kendall, Siloam Springs AR

Just remember that they don't penetrate much so do all your sanding before you apply.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Addam
   Are you talking about Highland Hardware here in Atlanta?   If so I am going down there this holidays to check out that stain pack. Highland is such fine place to hang out if you are into woodwork. I suffer from the "blind dog in the butcher shop" syndrome every time I go.

John M
   That really is a beautiful looking sunburst. I particularly like the way the top color compliments the sides. Sunbursts are not always that way.

John K

Hey John, That's the place, They are a great store, it's great that you are close to them. Addam Stark38699.6713078704

FYI in case someone has immediate need for the stain, I just got an email from Highland Hardware after I placed my web order that they were out of clear extender, and Honey Amber, but they'd ship it separately when it arrives at no extra cost. I didn't get an ETA.letseatpaste38699.7059606481

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Jonathan Kendall, Siloam Springs AR

I just ordered four colors including clear and honey amber in the quart containers and didn't get the backorder so you might consider that if you need it right away.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

I'm not in a big hurry, thanks for the info, though.

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Jonathan Kendall, Siloam Springs AR