BFG Refinish -- Flame top?!

[djwilbanks]

Welp, I gulped nervously after dismantling my BFG. Taped it all up, and sat down and started going after it.

So let me show you where I started:





See the spot that's been sanded down near the cutaway? That was me sanding down a spot where Gibson mills out the top for the neck placement and for some reason, on the BFGs, it leaves a divet.

So this is where I got yesterday when I did a test sand:







I was expecting just a boring ol' plain top (sorry, plain-jane lovers), but to my surprise there was a very subtle flame.

Today, I tried a little more by hand:



But I got sick of that really quick (I'm impatient). So I took out the B&D Mouse and started sanding. Now before you say I'm going to wreck the top, I let the sander do most of the work, and to be honest, I'm not going for perfect here, I'm doing this partly for experience and partly because I just can't leave well enough alone. Besides, this is a BFG for goodness sake, its supposed to be kinda beat up, but that being said, I didn't wreck the carve... not enough that you or I would notice.

So here's where I am at the moment, I ran out of time and sandpaper.





Now, aside from right there around the control area the BFG's trademark waves are flat. What you're seeing is a little bit of alcohol I used to clean off the top and the natural wood grain. Most of it had dried up, the flame is much more uniform. The only thing that concerns me is right there on the right side, near the controls and below the tailpiece anchors. See how the wood is slightly discoloured? No doubt why Gibson chose this specific wood for a opaque coloured BFG... hopefully it'll either clean up with naptha or I'll chalk it up to character.

I'll get some naptha when I get more sandpaper and that will help bring the grain out more in future pictures.

(and yes, I have to do my sanding on a trashbag on my recliner... don't ask. )

[Skynyrdpicker]

I like the way that's going! It might be a bit discolored, but if you finish that in a burst (I don't know what your plans are) I don't think that would be noticeable! Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing how this turns out!

[djwilbanks]

Originally Posted by Skynyrdpicker

I like the way that's going! It might be a bit discolored, but if you finish that in a burst (I don't know what your plans are) I don't think that would be noticeable! Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing how this turns out!

I was just going to go for a trans colour, but I may have to darkburst it if that discolouration doesn't at least soften with the naptha... anything that's there will be amplified when the dye is put on.

[carydad]

Mine was plain. Absolutely no flame, but she is still cool. Sounds way different with just a tung oil finish on it.

[Ole'Lefty]

I notice you are doing a good job keeping the contours and edges clean. It should look good. ole'lefty

[djwilbanks]

Originally Posted by rottenlpcloner

I notice you are doing a good job keeping the contours and edges clean. It should look good. ole'lefty

Yeah, I don't want it rounded off... I'm still toying with the idea of getting some scrap maple and practicing putting binding on.

If that goes well... who knows!

[jomo]

I almost bought that guitar and would have done the same exact thing with it. Good job, I think that top is going to be really nice.

[Torren61]

Looking good. Keep going. Whatever you do...do not use water to clean it off. Use alcohol or naptha.

[djwilbanks]

yeah, I've been using alcohol, but I'm going to get some naptha on Friday.

[marc1kim]

Cool, I'm glad that there was some flame under there. Cant wait to see the final product.

[steadyriot]

i'm GASsing for a bfg!

[jimmypage14]

Wow who would have thought

[djwilbanks]

Originally Posted by jimmypage14

Wow who would have thought

I sure didn't.

Everyone told me I should look for these differing streaks along the edge of the cap if it were flamed. I looked, no streaks. I took of the finish and a bunch of pretty flames were staring me in the face.

Now I just need to get some binding.

[djwilbanks]

Just a quick update... I won't be able to do any more work on the guitar until Monday. I have to work tomorrow and the family will be home Saturday and my little ones won't appreciate the infernal scream of the sander.

Update on Monday, hopefully!

[alligatorbling]

this thing is gonna be straight up pimpin when your done bro. i look froward to watching the progress!

[gui524]

yo mah gangsta that willz be sam wickud shit when yah done biotch !!
hahaha, never expected to see a BFG with a flame top ... i'm planning to do that in my classic, but I don't got the guts

[djwilbanks]

This is, I think, what I'm going for... more transparent of course, but I couldn't get the colours to come through on the guitar creator with them as trans as I'd like.

Kind of an orangeburst... if not just an all over orange like a wildkat or something.

But I dig it.

Thanks for compliments, guys.

[Strom Duzler]

idk if this is off topic, but after seeing all of these bfg refinishes i think it would be pretty cool to sand down only half down the middle, you'd end up with two-face! haha

[Davey Rockets]

Awesome work so far!! Totally cannot wait to see the finished product. That orange color looks amazing! Gotta luv the BFG, especially when people make it their own.

[straightblues]

That is looking sweet. I keep thinking about doing something like that to my BFG. My BFG has become my number 1 guitar. I sounds so darn good that I am afraid of doing anything that will mess with the tone.

[djwilbanks]

Originally Posted by straightblues

That is looking sweet. I keep thinking about doing something like that to my BFG. My BFG has become my number 1 guitar. I sounds so darn good that I am afraid of doing anything that will mess with the tone.

I'm probably not going to add any nitro... I think the lack of finish is what makes these guitars. I'll dye it and then probably tung oil it.

[Last]

Damn~!

That's the nicest top I've seen yet underneath one of these BFG's & I'm on my third one.

I'm really happy for you man! That is so sweet! I too almost bought the one you did, but my cash flow wasn't flowing @ the time.

I do have another VM on the way though so when mine is finished I'll be right behind it with another.

Here's how my BFG sits today. I've given it a hand rubbed TransAmber Burst (don't laugh too hard it's my 1st try doing a burst). I've got 6 coats of Nitro on her & now the waiting game begins as it cures.



I truly am happy for ya! Now aren't you glad you started?

Oh, meant to add that if you have no luck getting those dark streaks on the lower bout area you could try a really strong bleach solution on it. Good luck!

[djwilbanks]

Thanks, I will probably bleach the top either way.

I gave the top a good once over today, it's not as flat as I thought it was, although the flames are there the ridges give them a wavy look... I think I like it like that. Some of the flames are straight and some of them are distorted by the higher ridges. Definitely unique.

Your Burst doesn't look bad, Last. I'm going to hand rub the burst on mine too, I think. I don't want any nitro on it as I want the body to resonante without a finish... which is kinda what I think these guitars are partly about.

[djwilbanks]

Yeow! New pics are uploading right now!

[djwilbanks]

Alright... so I went and got some coarser sandpaper for my Mouse sander... made short work of the remaining finish.

I also got some naptha.

So this is what she looks like after the final 220 grit sand and some Naptha... in the sun. The naptha dries quickly that's why it looks white in some places and wet in others.

To be honest... I think this top is dead sexy. (be patient, there's quite a few pics)



















The top is now completely smooth... everything you are seeing is complete and utter flame. No ripple, no contrast manipulation. Just naptha and sunlight.

If Gibson only knew what kind of top they put on this thing.

[straightblues]

Man that is a great looking top. I think you need to do a great burt on that one. It is too pretty not to do something really nice in the way of finish.

[Last]

Looking very nice!

This guitar is REALLY GOING TO MEAN something to you now my friend.

Very cool that you ended up with so much flame!

Just goes to show you that some of the BFG's do hide some pretty nice secrets.

[djwilbanks]

Yeah, it's a labor of love for sure.

Does anyone know how to get the sand-dust out of the pores in the mahogany? I tried the naptha and that didn't work. I also tried alcohol, that usually works. So I'm kinda lost on that one.

[The_Sentry]

Awesome...I can't wait to see how this turns out!

[purevilpleasure]

Originally Posted by djwilbanks

Yeah, it's a labor of love for sure.

Does anyone know how to get the sand-dust out of the pores in the mahogany? I tried the naptha and that didn't work. I also tried alcohol, that usually works. So I'm kinda lost on that one.

I usually use some compressed air and a blow gun after I sand wood to get all the dust out of myself and the wood.