Routing after paint?

Here is my dilemma, I want to have my current build ready to play by next Thursday (the 12th), my neck (and the majority of the other components I need to finish the build) won't get here til next monday (the 9th), the body is ready for paint with the exception of the neck pocket and neck screw holes. I am about out of work to do on the body until I get the neck and neck screws I think. I can pilot the neck screw holes, but that is about it. I am considering going ahead and painting it and starting to spray lacquer. I figure I can have it most of the way done by the time the neck gets here. The tenative plan I am considering is to paint and clear till Sunday, let things cure for a day, then, Monday, mask the area where the template will sit and rout my neck pocket template from my neck then rout the neck pocket, then I can start to shoot lacquer on my neck and do that while I work on my electronic, string ferrule counterbores etc. Am I nuts?

Bad idea. You don't want to rush the finishing cause you'll end up having to redo it.

I see bad things happening with the adhesive and soft nitro.

... I want to have my current build ready to play by next Thursday (the 12th), my neck (and the majority of the other components I need to finish the build) won't get here til next monday (the 9th), ...

Am I nuts?

Yes, certifiably.

You have set an absurd schedule that doesn't allow the finish chemicals to cure, among other things.

The only way I'd attempt something like this is if it was an oil finish. Your dilemma will be that if the finish is soft enough to avoid cracking then it is soft enough to easily damage too. Personally I would never attempt to do any paintwork until all of the woodworking is finished.

well you might be starting a heckuva relic project if you just forge ahead like that. If you want a really pro finish, that just can't be rushed. Don't ask me how I know :roll:

Bad Idea.... Good things come to those who wait.

Revised plan: take the guitar to the weekend gig unfinished, but fully assembled, then when I get home, I'll tear it down and finish it.

Revised plan: take the guitar to the weekend gig unfinished, but fully assembled, then when I get home, I'll tear it down and finish it.

Good plan. I always do a test fit and assemble the guitar completely before I apply finish. Do you have time for a good setup?

I'd say a better plan, but not a good one. The guitar body *will* get dirty that way, and that has a high likelihood of messing with your finish.

Be sure you wipe it down well with solvent to clean any oils & dirt.

Even better plan...spray a coat of sealer or color on it. It's nothing to sand back a coat or two, even after routing. It could actually help you spot scratches and dings during final prep.

We used to call it a guide coat back in my hail damage repair days. We'd load up a panel with gray primer, mist it with black and then block the hell out of it. Now, they just replace the whole panels...not enough quality metal in 'em to work anymore.

It would be much better than taking an unprotected piece of wood out of the shop. Drinks, shaking hands, sweat, smoke, perfume, dirt, grime, rubber from the tire you change on the way to the gig will all find their way into the equation if you don't protect it.

Peace,
Mark

I'd say a better plan, but not a good one. The guitar body *will* get dirty that way, and that has a high likelihood of messing with your finish.

Be sure you wipe it down well with solvent to clean any oils & dirt.

Even better plan...spray a coat of sealer or color on it. It's nothing to sand back a coat or two, even after routing. It could actually help you spot scratches and dings during final prep.

We used to call it a guide coat back in my hail damage repair days. We'd load up a panel with gray primer, mist it with black and then block the hell out of it. Now, they just replace the whole panels...not enough quality metal in 'em to work anymore.

It would be much better than taking an unprotected piece of wood out of the shop. Drinks, shaking hands, sweat, smoke, perfume, dirt, grime, rubber from the tire you change on the way to the gig will all find their way into the equation if you don't protect it.

Peace,
Mark
I was thinking about both of these things. I will probably do Mark's suggestion. This guitar is going to be my backup guitar, so its not absolutely critical to have it perfect just yet, it just needs to be playable in case something goes wrong with my #1.