Guitar finishing step by step

The definitive book for finishing guitars and fretted instruments. Learn from the pros: materials, equipment and techniques, plus three dozen recipes for famous finishes. This book helps give you the confidence to finish new instruments, refinish old ones, and perform flawless touch-ups.

The expanded 2nd edition  features color stain mixing charts, a color gallery of vintage finishes, and detailed recipes for recreating them with professional results. Guitar Finishing Step-By-Step focuses on nitrocellulose lacquer, the most common guitar finish, but also includes addditional information on varnishes, oils and French polishing. Dan Erlewine's color-illustrated essay guides you through the steps of modern waterbase finishing, too. 188 pages, softcover.

A partial list of contents:

Materials and tools Abrasives - Solvents - Fillers - Colorants - Topcoats - Buffing materials and equipment

Techniques The basics of spray equipment - Sanding - Buffing - Basic finishing steps

Recipes for popular finishes Fender blond, sunbursts and solids - Gibson goldtop, cherry red and sunbursts - Basic Martin-style finish - Lots more!

Color gallery Stain mixing color charts - Examples of vintage finishes - Waterbase finishing steps