Official Luthiers Forum!

Reworked a neck to change a locking nut to a regular bone nut. Owner knows that the finish won't match but I would like to get as close as possible. The color on the neck is semi-translucent with lacquer top coat. I have tried tints in shellac (an old go-to for me) and then decided to give the new GluBoost colors a try. Both are too translucent.

My shop compressor died so that complicates things.

Looking for some ideas to get a decent color match with something that is more opaque.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I would hit that with a mix of brown and yellow Keda dyes in water until I got the right amber, and then use TruOil as a finish.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Thanks Chris, that’s similar to the way I learned to do sunbursts but for some reason had not occurred to me.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Rock on with your bad self.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Dye didn't work - it would have if the original finish was a dye/stain with a clear coat but this one had a clear sealer with a colored lacquer over the top. Result was a undyed ring around the repair probably from the sealer. Sorry I didn't get a photo.

Fortunately I got the compressor issue solved so I'll try the air brush. Did I mention I'm not the best at finish work

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Figured l would follow up on this neck rebuild to change from a locking nut to a bone nut. The woodwork was straightforward but I was having trouble matching the finish.

I decided to take the time to try out several finish repair techniques. I spent a lot of time with the GluBoost Master Tints, just couldn’t get a good match across the larger area. Then I tried the Keda water based dyes Chris recommended, that worked well for a color match but left a witness ring around the new wood. I expect the ring was where I sanded into the existing finish and there was a band of sealer as it faired from bare wood to the finish.

I used a fair amount of maple scrap-ha. I treated it as a learning experience and I’m sure the knowledge will be useful.

I was able to solve my compressor problem so for the next technique I ended up airbrushing with Transtint in shellac which worked well. I was happy with the color match. I followed up with 4 coats of lacquer, a very light level just to knock down any bumps and finally a light buffing.

I used the GluBoost Lac R Shot spray lacquer. I had wanted to try it. It worked really well and sprayed better than any rattle can I’ve used before.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"