Grain Filling Back - Howell Guitars

Richard Howell showing how he grain fills before French polishing.
More videos to come.
www.howellguitars.com

[@HowellGuitarsRichard]

Equal parts whiting and brown umber, mix with mineral turpentine until it's thick and lumpy, add a few drops of linseed oil, mix in then continue with the turpentine until it's like thick paint. Hope that helps.

[@jminorjams]

hello richard, this is james. i will be back to finish my guitar soon. nice to see your video. great guitar maker.

[@oscaratienza4476]

hello Richard. can you make a video showing the mold and the technique you use to get that really nice and beautifull cataway?. I just love it. thanks and grettings from Madrid.

[@JMCustomGuitars]

what pore filling you use? you said that is made by you i'm I right?

Hi Richard, I enjoyed the video. For how long would you recommend for the in situ drying of the grain fill prior to commencing the next step of the French polish process? Regards, Gavin Dixon

[@HowellGuitarsRichard]

Hi Gavin, My old teacher always said you can start polishing straight away however I always leave it until the next day, can't hurt to let it dry overnight. All the best, Richard

[@bkforge]

Do you just mask using regular masking tape for the bridge to maintain a clean gluing surface (foreshadowing the next video...)

[@HowellGuitarsRichard]

Yes I use regular masking tape. I mask up about 3 mm smaller than the bridge and clean off the excess polish when I come to stick the bridge.

[@boblehat199]

Hi great video! are the whiting and brown umber you mention as ingrediants earth pigments? Rob.

[@HowellGuitarsRichard]

Hi Rob, yes they are earth pigments.

[@BBK727]

How long should you wait for the finish to cure before setting up the strings and playing? I heard 2 months??

[@HowellGuitarsRichard]

Hi, If you are French polishing I leave it for one week before I string. However you must be careful not to damage the finish for at least another week. Hope this helps. Richard

[@VLDZPatagonia]

Hi Richard, this grain filler is compatible with nitro or polyurethane lacquers ???

[@HowellGuitarsRichard]

Hi Walter, Yes you can use it with nitro or polyurethane.

[@VLDZPatagonia]

Great, It should dry several days before lacquering??? Best regards from Patagonia!!!

[@josephrogers9796]

Richard Howell what is the grain filled made of?

[@CAF749]

Thank you for your excellent videos. Do fill the spruce top? Thanks again.

[@HowellGuitarsRichard]

Hi Andy, No the top is not filled but should be sealed with shellac before grain filling. If the grain filler gets on the top it will stain it.