Introduction: Apply a Blue Burst Guitar Finish With Dye!
I've always wanted to build a guitar, but for some reason, even with all my woodworking experience, I was just too scared to even start. I would research and research...information overload would start to set it and I would shelf the project for another day....
Well, that ends NOW!
I decided that the best way to get started would be just to buy a kit. A guitar kit has everything you need, the neck, the body, even the electronics! All you have to do is glue on the neck (if applicable), apply a finish, and install the electronics!
So, this Instructables isnt about building the guitar, that is coming in the future. But part of my decision to buy a kit (vs making from scratch) was that I was going to tackle everything I came across head on! If I messed up, no worries! It was just a kit!
One of those things that I was worried about was dying the guitar body with a burst effect. This seems like a really scary thing to do, something that could easily be messed up, but actually, it is really easy!
So, lets get started!
Supplies
You dont need many supplies for this project:
- A guitar kit (here is a link to one similar to what I am building)
- Dye (This is what I used)
- Rit Dye (a cheaper option that I have heard works really well)
- lint free rags
- gloves
- 400 Grit Sandpaper
- 400 Grit Discs (optional)
Step 1: Mix Up Your Dye!
I forgot to take pictures of this step, but follow the instructions on the dye you chose to mix up some of the dye. Try to mix at least 3 different concentrations (one can be black). I think this is a good way to get a even burst effect.
Also, grab a scrap of wood to test the dye concentration as you mix it up. Remember that once the dye dries, it will dry lighter.
Step 2: Applying the First Layer of Dye
There are a lot of different ideas on how you should apply dye to a guitar to get a burst effect. I did a TON of searching (too much, to be honest) and found that a lot of beginner guitar makers use the "layer and sand" method. Basically, you apply a layer of dye, then sand it back, then dye, sand...etc. Until you finally get the look that you want.
I *think* that this would work really well for complex effects on a VERY thick veneer, but what I saw in most of the videos I watched was the people often sanded through the veneer. These kits are very cheap and have very thin veneers...so it is really easy to sand through!
So instead of working dark dye, to light dye, and sanding between, I started with the lightest dye and layered in darker dyes after that.
Step 3: Sanding
ok fine, we have to sand a little bit!
Unfortunately, I discovered that there was still some glue on the veneer from the manufacturing process. Bummer...
If this happens to you, don't worry! Just grab some 400 grit sand paper and sand off as much of the colored dye as you can. Make you you sand everywhere, keeping it even. If you focus on one spot, you can easily sand right through the veneer!
You can use a random orbital sander with some 400 grit sanding net if you have one, but please be careful....
Step 4: Dye Again
With everything sanded, I cleaned off the dust and started to re-apply the light blue dye.
When applying the dye, start on the outside of the guitar and work inward. Also, don't press the rag into the guitar, since that can compress the wood fibers and effect how the wood soaks in the dye.
Keep very light pressure, making small circles, and let the dye work its own way into the wood grain.
Step 5: Starting the Burst
Now it is time to start working on the burst effect we really want.
Grab your darkest dye (I used black) and begin applying it to the very outside edge of the guitar. Go easy on this step, because it is very hard to undo (sanding would be required).
To get the black to start blending, use a little bit of extra water on the rag to thin out the dye.
Step 6: Dark Blue
Next, grab the medium darkness dye. In my case, I used dark blue. I worked this into the curly maple wood grain the same way I did the black. Starting on the outside of the guitar (over the black) and working in.
For a smooth effect, I would also start dipping the rag in the dark blue, then the light blue, just to further blend the two color depths together.
Step 7: Work Slowly
Continue mixing the light and dark colors of dye to blend in the outer edge of the maple wood grain with the center of the guitar. This is really where the magic starts to happen where that curly maple wood grain starts to pop!
Keep pushing the dye towards the center, using lighter and lighter dye. (You will need multiple rags too, in case I forgot to mention that...)
Just keep the dye light and work slowly. The slower you work, the better this is going to look!
Step 8: DONE!
Depending on how the dye is looking to you, you may decide to run a little more dark dye (black) around the guitar body, just to deepen that contrast. I think this really helped bring out the burst effect and looks really awesome!
Congratulations!
You have now successfully created a sunburst effect on your guitar! I am so proud of you! :-)
Side note: when applying finish, be sure to use a seal coat of some sort, shellec, lacquer, etc. If you apply and wipe on oil finish directly to the dye, it will re dissolve the dye and spread it around. Which could be cool...or could be a disaster....
If you want to watch a full length video of me creating this dye effect, check out the video here!
Thanks so much for reading!
Catch you in the next one!
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