Sunburst Help Again

[Kennyz55]

I haven't put varnish on it yet but how can I get the mandolin on the left to look more like the mandolin on the right.
TIA

[Hudmister]

I recommend Guiness Stout.

[testore]

Probably too late but you need an airbrush. They were in use in the late 19th century. Gibson was using them in the teens and 20's too. Small investment to do a proper job.

[Kennyz55]

I could sand it and start again. How about this finish? A keg of Guiness?

[HoGo]

I could sand it and start again. How about this finish? A keg of Guiness?

First use more of the blue tape and it will look closet to the one on the right. :-)
Now seriously. If you just want to blend the color transition you may still do it by hand. It may involve some very light sanding of dark spots and application of transition stain and some touchup to light streaks. All depends on what type of stain is already there and how did you apply it (soaked deep?) and what type of wood is there (pressed plywood, solid, spruce etc...)
Search for video of John Hamlett doing sunburst on A4 mandolin on YT (and there was some discussion here after he uploaded it - anyone can find the link?), and watch it few times to see how it should be done. And, wood preparation is half of the result.

[mirwa]

The one on the right isn't that flash either

[Jeff Mando]

I use the "poor man's airbrush"--a can a spray paint shot through a cardboard paper towel tube! I was going to add "just kidding" but in my youth I actually did a couple so-so sunbursts this way.

[Timbofood]

With a keg of Guinness I might be persuaded to come and provide moral support!

[Michael Lewis]

I think you just need more practice. Making a sunburst is not a natural or easy thing to do, so it takes skill, and to get that skill it requires practice. Get some scrap wood and cut it out in the shape of your mandolin, then go through the finishing steps as many times as it takes to get it right.

I generally spray my finishes, and lay down a seal coat of clear over which the color is applied. If the color doesn't go well I can sand it back to the seal coat and try again as many times as it takes to get it right. This seal coat prevents too much color from muddying up the wood. Once the color is acceptable I apply the clear coats.

[wildpikr]

FWIW...James Condino has a great video showing his way to get a sunburst.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-t...st-finish.aspx

[fscotte]

Hand rub the first coat of dye, then airbrush the sunburst. That way you get the best of both worlds.

[Kennyz55]

Michael, I've been practicing on my brother's cheap mandolin that was stepped on by his kid. I repaired the broken neck. I think it is plywood not hardwood.
Wildpikr I watched the Condino video. It was very instructional. I also watched John Hamlett's video here:
Lastly, how do I clean Aniline dye off my hands now that my glove ripped? I used Alcohol based. Lastly, I think I work in a messy workshop.