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H8067 Flat Iron Style Mandolin Kit
-13-
Finishing supplies are not included with this
mandolin kit. Finishing options include stains,
lacquers, varnishes and oil finishes. All can be
applied by spray or brush. Finish materials and
books on finishing instruments can be ordered
through Grizzly Industrial or numerous luthier sup-
ply catalogs.
Components and Hardware Needed: Qty
Mandolin Body ...................................................
1
To finish the mandolin:
1. Mask off the surface of the fretboard. Carefully
press all the masking tape edges securely
to the fretboard. The finish coat should not
be allowed to seep under edges, or flood
-
corners, and places where the frets meet the
fingerboard.
2. Form a piece of wire into a U shaped hanger
with hooks on both ends.
3. Thread the hooks through the upper pegholes
and hang the instrument in the finish room.
4. Apply several thin coats of the finish (follow-
ing the manufacturer's instructions). Multiple
thin coats usually produce a better quality
finish than one heavy coat.
5. Hang the instrument in a dust free area to
dry.
6. When finishing is complete, remove the
masking tape from the fretboard.
7. Carefully scrape any excess finish off the
fretboard with a razor blade
.
Painting/Finishing Tips
Dust particles suspended in the air will settle
on wet finishes, causing less than satisfactory
results. To avoid this problem:
• Leave the finishing room undisturbed for 24
hours prior to applying the finish.
• Avoid making unnecessary movements upon
entering the finish room.
• Apply the finish to the desired mandolin parts
and immediately leave the finish room.
• DO NOT return to the room until the speci
-
fied drying time has elapsed.
Finishing
Figure 21. Instrument ready to be finished.
Most finishes are hazard-
ous to your health. Wear a
NIOSH/OSHA approved res
-
pirator with particulate and
gas/vapor filters, safety
glasses, rubber gloves, and
work in a well ventilated area
when finishing.