Dirty Looking Ash Body

[Stratdan]

This ash body seems to have a lot of mineral streaks. At least that's what I think is giving it a kind of "dirty" appearance. It is currently sanded with 80 grit so I have a long way to go. I have read that oxalic acid may clear it up a bit but was wondering if anyone had any other thoughts. I am hoping to put a standard yellow/red/black sunburst on this. Another other option would be to try to make it look like brown mahogany.
Any experiences here along these lines?
Thanks

 

[metecem]

I'd only stain and sand back on this wood.

 

[Stratdan]

By "stain and sand back" I take it you mean using either a dark brown or black and then sanding most of it off. Will the dye that remains behind over shadow the greenish tint that is there now? I was actually afraid it could make it look worse. I did a dye and sand back technique on the tigereye tele in my profile but that was on maple. The ash on that guitar was pretty light but had a wider grain pattern.

 

[DrASATele]

You should check this thread out starting right around post 36. http://www.tdpri.com/threads/model-...hite-former-challenge-build.467790/page-2I've done this on Ash scraps and it works. It might give you a lighter face to work with.
I'm with you stratdan I think it go mute on you if you do black and sand back, that said mete gets some of the best finishes on his guitars. Post some pics when you get rolling!

 

[Stratdan]

Thanks for that link DrASATele. I am going to try that lye/peroxide trick. I'll post before and after pics. Just have to find the materials.

 

[TRexF16]

That's so unique I would be inclined to leave it as is and go natural, maybe just a tiny bit of a Amber to brown burst. Just a thought
Rex

 

[Thin69]

That's so unique I would be inclined to leave it as is and go natural, maybe just a tiny bit of a Amber to brown burst. Just a thought
Rex

+1 I think it looks great as is. I'd leave it just as it is.

 

[Tony Done]

How does it look when wet? That will give you a good idea of its natural finished appearance. Like TRexF, I think it might look pretty good as-is.

 

[Stratdan]

I did look at it wet. It looks OK but I think I want to try to bleach it. The reason I don't want to do a brown burst is that it would be too similar to my tiger eye Tele. I might consider a tobacco burst if the bleach doesn't work out.

 

[Jack S]

I love the streaks in the wood. I wouldn't want to bleach that at all.

 

[soonerdude]

That piece has character. I'm with the other posters...leave it natural or just a light Amber or brown to accentuate.

 

[Stratdan]

I am trying to come up with something different than I already have as far as finish color so that's the only reason I am not keen on the natural/amber. I am thinking I will try an orange to black burst without bleaching and then if I don't like it I will remove that, bleach and try something else. I actually think it would look pretty good with a dark red stain but I already have a brownish/red double cut Agile AD2300.

 

[Tony Done]

Can you post a pic of it wet, please? I'm just curious to see what it looks like.

 

[Stratdan]

Here are both front and back. Not bad looking.

 

[Thin69]

Darkens up quite a bit without stain. Still like it as it, beautiful grain!

 

[Tony Done]

I would be happy with that. The greyish tones are nothing compared to the nice red.

 

[bricksnbeatles]

That's gorgeous. Leave it!

 

[DrASATele]

I actually think that if you do bleach it, those streaks will become more obvious and then applying a stain and filler after will give it an amazing look. I have some ash like this some pieces look great others are just ok.

 

[Stratdan]

It's not really the streaks I am concerned about even though that's what I said in the original post, its the brownish/blackish spotting. The streaks that are actually grain are a good thing. You see it most at the area between the pup route and where the strap pin will be and between the pup route and the neck pocket.

 

[DrASATele]

Sorry I didn't mean they would become more obvious as a bad thing.
I see what you are talking about that was what initially made me thing of Model T's White on White thread. I think using that technique and then applying color after would give a guitar some extra depth with endless possibilities for the final result.