PGK Tele Kit Build Thread

Today I finally started staining some color to the body.

In the Wudtone Body Finishing Kit in the color of Hot Auburn, you get 3 very small bottles and a pair of gloves:
View attachment 17157

Here we go...
View attachment 17158

Kitty approved... :yesway:
View attachment 17159

Hummingbird approved, too... :yesway:
View attachment 17160


This deep color coat application needs to dry for at least 24 hours according to the instructions. Shredded the fingertips of the right-hand glove, but I have a box of disposable black nitrile gloves. Tomorrow, before I apply the second phase Base Coat, I need to key the surface by lightly rubbing with very fine steel wool. The plan is a minimum of 3 base coats, and a max of 6 coats, with 24 to 48 hours in between coats. The base coat application could literally take 1 to 2 weeks to apply before I begin the final Top Coats.


Are you inhaling????
 
Are you inhaling????

Hey...that's my hobby Rockin' Robby!:D

hCOjWW9.png



;>)/
 
Are you inhaling????
The instructions does state to "Use only in well-ventilated areas." The deep color coat had a very pleasant smell, and didn't feel like it was toxic. Nevertheless, I had the rooms window wide open with the ceiling fan running at full blast. I expect the next phase's Base Coat to be the same. Maybe the Top Coat will have a stronger chemical smell to it... :hmmm:
 
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In the last couple of weeks I applied a total of 6 oily "Base Coats", with 48 hours in between coats...:

6th Base Coat 6-18-18 (1).JPG


The majority of the neck has about 10 coats of Tru-oil. The headstock area has an additional 6 coats. Sometimes 3 coats a day... or 2... or just 1... I lost track!

Bunch of Tru-Oil (1).JPG

Bunch of Tru-Oil (2).JPG


Made my own "Paintstick" with 1" inside diameter PVC pipe:

DIY Paint Stick and Vise (1).JPG



I recently bought this clamping vise at COSTCO for $60, and put it to use:

DIY Paint Stick and Vise (2).JPG


Today was the first of three oily-glossy Top Coats:

1st GLOSS Coat 8-22-18 (1).JPG

Zappa approved...
1st GLOSS Coat 8-22-18 (2).JPG

I have to the best of my abilities, tried to correct the color of the images. It usually involves turning down the saturation levels of the original pics.
 
In the last couple of weeks I applied a total of 6 oily "Base Coats", with 48 hours in between coats...:

View attachment 17432


The majority of the neck has about 10 coats of Tru-oil. The headstock area has an additional 6 coats. Sometimes 3 coats a day... or 2... or just 1... I lost track!

View attachment 17433

View attachment 17434


Made my own "Paintstick" with 1" inside diameter PVC pipe:

View attachment 17435



I recently bought this clamping vise at COSTCO for $60, and put it to use:

View attachment 17436


Today was the first of three oily-glossy Top Coats:

View attachment 17437

Zappa approved...
View attachment 17438

I have to the best of my abilities, tried to correct the color of the images. It usually involves turning down the saturation levels of the original pics.
So nice!!
 
Looking great, almost makes me want to try a kit build.
Almost.
I like your vise jig.
Assuming the paint stick tube rides outside the tube chucked in the vise = rotisserie function?
I'm digging those P90s over Frank's right shoulder.
 
4 days ago, I applied the 3rd and final Top Coat. The differences are so subtle, that I chose not to bother and post some current pics on the body. I need to let the finish of the body and the neck cure a bit before I start assembling the guitar. Think I'll give it a full 2 weeks... or another 10 days.

Meanwhile... Today I rewired the Callaham prewired control assembly, which was originally setup for a 2 pickup Tele with a 3-way switch. Original "Esquire" wiring is pretty unique for a guitar with a single pup and a 3-way selector. But, there is a nice mod to the original wiring called the Eldred Esquire Wiring. The Eldred mod is what I'm going with, plus I'm flipping the control plate and the volume and tone controls. So, closest to the pickup: Volume knob - then Tone knob - then Selector switch.

Original Callaham setup:

Callaham Standard Tele Wiring (2).JPG


My attempt at the Eldred Esquire Wiring mod:

Eldred Mod Wiring 8-30-18.JPG
 
4 days ago, I applied the 3rd and final Top Coat. The differences are so subtle, that I chose not to bother and post some current pics on the body. I need to let the finish of the body and the neck cure a bit before I start assembling the guitar. Think I'll give it a full 2 weeks... or another 10 days.

Meanwhile... Today I rewired the Callaham prewired control assembly, which was originally setup for a 2 pickup Tele with a 3-way switch. Original "Esquire" wiring is pretty unique for a guitar with a single pup and a 3-way selector. But, there is a nice mod to the original wiring called the Eldred Esquire Wiring. The Eldred mod is what I'm going with, plus I'm flipping the control plate and the volume and tone controls. So, closest to the pickup: Volume knob - then Tone knob - then Selector switch.

Original Callaham setup:

View attachment 17613


My attempt at the Eldred Esquire Wiring mod:

View attachment 17614
Nice work! Are those oil in paper caps? I see that type a lot around here
 
Nice work! Are those oil in paper caps? I see that type a lot around here
Both caps are of metalized polyester construction. The smaller cap is from the Mallory 150 series, the larger one is an IC (Illinois Capacitor) MPW. These are also known as coupling caps that IMO, work as well as anything else that is available for a guitar's tone cap... just ask PRS! These caps are very inexpensive at about $1each and small, too.

About a year ago, I swore-off on buying the more expensive and "prettier" guitar tone caps.
 
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