Question about refinishing

elvis

elvis

Hamfisted String Banger
Joined
Feb 29, 2016
Messages
2,254
Location
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Anyone have PTC refin a 10-top?

How much wood did they remove? Did the figuring change significantly?

How well can they match a color?
 
So, the Cu22 I had them do wasn't a 10 top, but when I got it back I was amazed at how much more grain I could see in the top. Especially vertically. I think that had more to do with a slightly lighter color refin. I went from Royal Blue (maybe) that seemed heavy handed (it was really dark, no vertical grain showing) to Purple Hazel, which is lighter than that blue color was. Having said that, I don't think they actually remove any wood from the top. That's why you have to have the refin in a similar color space to the original color. They can't, or aren't willing to, get all of the original stain off. So, if you wanted to go from blue to Vintage Yellow you would risk having spots of green showing from the old blue and the new yellow. If your concern is losing that unique 10 top, I don't think you have anything to worry about.
 
I’ve done a few refinishes with PRS, and they do not expose the wood as far as possible. They strip the finish down only to base coat. I can’t imagine how tedious that must be. The refinished guitar looks exactly the same, perhaps clearer and brighter (no more age related yellowing in the clear coat).

It’s only when the dings have penetrated through to the wood that they may have to strip down to bare wood. In such cases it’s all random how the figure might change, depending on the wood itself. Sometimes it may be an improvement (better figure).
 
Logic would suggest as @Tonart has said, the lacquer finish would have to be removed to allow a re-staining finish.

If dents are present in the wood, then these may be repaired (depth dependent) with steaming. However this may of course affect the original stain finish.

Removing wood from the maple top (for example) to allow re-staining is something that takes great care, considering the top is levelled around the bridge and pickups to follow the neck angle. PTC definitely earn their money, as this is by no means an easy process.

As I believe @bodia has said before, PTC won’t re-stain out of palette. For example, if you have a Whale blue, they won’t re-stain it as Solana burst.
 
Last edited:
I did, couldn't notice any difference in the top, but didn't refin to the same color so I can't help you there.
Excellent work at the PTC is all I can say.
 
My buddy Kyle just got his back from the PTC. They did an amazing job! Cant tell it didn't come from the factory originally this way! The wood really pops more now!

Before:
JP4UtTf.jpg


After:

U6VBEf6.jpg

7Bn90Vp.jpg

5AEB66h.jpg
 
matt3310 said:
My buddy Kyle just got his back from the PTC. They did an amazing job! Cant tell it didn't come from the factory originally this way! The wood really pops more now!

Before:
JP4UtTf.jpg


After:

U6VBEf6.jpg

7Bn90Vp.jpg

5AEB66h.jpg
Click to expand...
I'm really not a red color guy, but these gray to red burst is really pulling on me.
 
dmatthews said:
I don't get it...
To me, finish means it's over.
Refinishing? Did you not really start?
Maybe have a time machine?



Shut up Dave...
Click to expand...
Sometimes the finish isn’t perfect.

You know, the runner doesn’t lift his hands up dramatically enough of he tripped and inelegantly tumbled over the line. So the winner who also happens to a dictator, insists the tape is reset, all other contestants go back to their positions just a few feet before the line, umpire shoots off the gun again, and it’s a perfect photo finish this time.
 
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