Burnthrough

[mandolinrick]

I'm currently varnishing my IV Kit. I put on 3 coats of varnish (Pratt and Lambert oil varnish). I was leveling the coats and sanding through the varnish and took off some of the stain. So now I have a little circle that is lighter in color than the surrounding area. Is there an easy fix for this?
I tried dabbing on a little bit of stain, but that didn't seem to help that much. Any advice would be appreciated.

Rick

[austin]

I know it is painful, but I think the best you can do is try to match the stain or color of the varnish.
If it is a dark finish, a slightly darker hue tends to show up less than a slightly lighter tone than the original.
If it is a light finish and you plan to do more layers of varnish, sometimes just the tone of the varnish will help hide your transgressions.
Hint: Use a medium density sanding block and not your fingers when level sanding. #This seems to help me avoid problems.

good luck, we've all probably been in your shoes!

[sunburst]

How did you apply your stain?
Was it sealed before staining?
If it's rubbed right on the wood, it'll likely be very difficult to hide the area.
If you sprayed the stain, especially if it's sprayed over a sealer, you might be able to do some air brush touch up with pretty good results.
Actually, air brushing might be the best way to improve the appearance regardless of how you stained it.

[mandolinrick]

Sunburst,

I rubbed in the stain before sealing. After staining, I sprayed on a couple coats of shellac before applying the varnish. I don't have a spray setup, but I think that's my next investment! This is my second mandolin, and did hand rubbed sunbursts, but not really satisfied with them.

So could I add a little stain to the varnish to hide it a bit?

Its a sci-fi themed mandolin - midnight blue moonburst. I picked up some chrome grover tuners, and put a mop skull inlay on the button. My gf's son, who is 13, is really into Warhammer 40k, so was trying to link it to that to get him more interested in playing.

Thanks for the advice!

Rick

[sunburst]

I've never added stain to varnish. I don't know if it would work, or if your stain is compatible with your varnish.
I don't know of any way to add color evenly to a small area other than an airbrush.
So, "I've already told you more than I know".

[Dale Ludewig]

Ah- midnight blue sunburst. Just my territory. I can almost guarantee that you won't be able to cover it up without a small spraygun/ airbrush. Blue is tough to cover any flaws in.

Also, I'd be careful about the varnish over the blue. Try to find the most "non yellowing" you can. Otherwise it will tend to go toward green (Yellow + blue)- if it's already in the finish combo, it will only increase as the wood ages. Both spruce and maple tend to move toward yellow/ gold as they age and move the blue on top toward a greenish blue. (not that I have anything against green if you're planning it in advance.) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Seriously, this might be the time to spring for an airbrush, as John hinted at.

[mandolinrick]

Dale,

I was hoping that you would chime in, knowing of your affinity for blue and/or green mandolins! That's ok if the blue goes toward blue/green - as I almost added a hint of green to give it that alien look... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I stained the wood, and then sprayed on 3 coats of shellac (Bulls Eye), and then several coats of Pratt and Lambert Clear Gloss varnish. The varnish is supposedly clear, but looks a little amber in color.

Yes, a spray gun and airbrush is definitely now high on my list of things to get. I have 2 more mandos and a flat-back lute in the making.

Thanks again for the advice - I need all I can get...

Rick

[Michael Lewis]

Touching up a burst finish is a tricky business for sure. At this point I usually sand the area back to wood and start over. This will make a serious impression in your memory, which will likely prevent you from making this mistake again.