Thread: Need help will Filler, Sand/Sealer and Primer for Mahogany Tele Body

Hi,
I'm new to this Forum as Im in real need of help from you guys who know about Guitar Preparation.

I've decided to try and Build my first Telecaster, I have bought a Mahogany Body which I'm going to need help on how to Prepare it ready to Paint,
Yea Im not finishing it in a natural wood finish, but I want to know what I have to do to get it prepared to Paint, I will be finishing it in a Ice Blue Metallic,
like this 1, Wildwood Guitars | Fender | Custom Shop | '51 Nocaster Relic #R7003 Ice Blue Metallic

I've read a few articles on how to Prepare a Body for Painting, 1 in particular from the Reranch Website, but I just wanted to check in with you guys who live
in Australia just to make sure Im doing the right thing, and get some help on the Products I will need, where to get them from, and the Brands of these Products.

Heres what they say I need to do from the Reranch Website, what I was wanting to know is this the best way to do this on my Mahogany Body, and can you give
me the names of the Products that I would buy here in Australia to do this, also a step by step guide would be very much appreciated

#1
Sand the raw wood with #220 dry sandpaper, followed by #320.

#2
An oil based grain filler is recommended. Brands that have been found acceptable are Old Masters, Bartleys, and Lawrence-Mcfadden. (In fact, I haven't encountered an unacceptable oil based filler. I have found though that water based fillers sometimes swell and then shrink when top coated with lacquer. They will work but may require two or more applications. For that matter oil based fillers may shrink after drying overnight and require another application but they remain stable when top coated). For most finishes use a natural colored filler. The dyes used in darker fillers may over time find their way through the color coat.

#3
Sand and sealer is used to give the color coat a level base. It is also helpful in filling scratches whic are too deep to sand out. There are four types readily available. Shellac, water based, lacquer and vinyl. I have had great success with the nitrocellulose sand and sealer from the Parks Corporation. It is available from many wood working stores such as Wood Craft but is also sold under the "Pro Finish" brand in Home Depot stores. (Parks has a store locator at their website). Home Depot sells Parks sand and sealer only in gallons but a gallon is a bargain at around $15.00.

#4
The last step before applying the color coats is to apply a white primer coat. B.I.N.s makes a white pigmented shellac in an aerosol can that will cover the grain and prevent any previous finishes from bleeding through. The white background will also let you apply an opaque color coat with less paint. You can find this sealer at most hardware stores and again, at Home Depot. Spray on two coats. When dry you may notice that the surface feels rough. Sand off the roughness with #320 dry and respray. Sand again. If the surface now appears smooth and all grain is opaqued you are ready for the color coat.



As I said I'm wanting to finish my Guitar with this colour, but Reranch will not ship overseas, I was wondering if any of you can help me find a place in Australia that
I can find this Paint.
Ice Blue Metallic

Anyway I just wanted to thank you all for any advice/help you can give me
Thanks