Re-finishing Questions! So Now What...

[somethingclever]

Hey Y'all,

So I somewhat impulsively stripped the finish off my Custom Shop '51 Nocaster NOS last night. I used a heat gun and a scraper and it came off great but I am wondering what I am left with.
I don't have any room or equipment to apply a spray finish so I was hoping to use something that rubs on nice and easily (if you haven't figured out by now, I'm somewhat new to all this so easy is important). I am also looking to stain it something I guess. Any suggestions on what to use?
Also, do I need to sand the body in order to do this or seal it with something or use grain filler? (very new to all this).

Check out the pictures to see where I'm at:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3539840003_943dd14ddf_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/3540647034_5c2d967dd9_b.jpg

Thank you!!!
Jordan

[somethingclever]

Can I just throw some ColorTone Liquid Stain from StewMac on there and then rub something over it or...? Man I didn't realize all the different steps involved...

[doublee]

Man I am not going to ask why you would strip a Nocaster...

You need to decide if you want a 'professional' type finish, or...The Home Depot look. I would look at the TDPRI forums on finishing, theres everything you need to know there.

[Rosewood]

Before you stain the bare wood you might want to seal the body with a clear first then a colored laquer on top and more clear on top of that. The reason I said that is if you stain the body and don't like the results it's a lot of work to get it back to bare wood, sometimes near impossible. Just be sure to sand and clean/prep the body before you start. Don't forget the grass stains.:D

[somethingclever]

Thanks man I didn't even know about TDPRI

[Kingbeegtrs]

1. Apply a Lacquer Sanding Sealer - you can buy a spray can of it from Lowe's made by Deft.

2. Sand with 320 Grit until smooth. After steps 3, 4, and 5 LIghtly sand in between coats with wet 400 grit wet/dry paper

3. Optional (apply primer) If you're doing the spray can thing BIN makes a Shellac-based primer that works well with nitro.

4. Apply custom color - available from ReRanch

5. Apply 3-7 coats of clear. If doing a relic you don't need many.
6. After a few days wet-Sand with 400 until you can't see any shiney spots. Repeat with 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, and 2000

8. Buff with a mild cleaner wax...I use 3M Finesse it 2 and a drill with a buffing wheel....gets into the horns really easily.

Enjoy...be careful...you may become addicted to painting guitars!

My advice: don't get in a hurry. Take your time. The more time you spend prepping the less you'll spend sanding. Don't try it in really humid conditions or cold temperatures. If you screw up STOP. let it dry and fix it by wetsanding on another day.

[doublee]

^

I would listen to this dude.

[somethingclever]

Thanks Kingbee. Nice looking guitars by the way.