Violin Forum/Message Board

Guy Harrison · Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:24 pm Post subject:

For varnish - go to www.violinvarnish.com

This guy makes good oil varnish that works well and would be able to advice you on how to apply it. Good luck!

ChameleonMan · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Florida, US

Hello everyone,

I haven't been on here in a while. I've been busily working on a new violin, which I believe is much better than the first one. I'll just consider that one my "rough draft." Wink

I have had basically no life for the past two weeks working on this new violin and have made some significant upgrades. The main reason was I wanted inlaid purfling. This turned out to be quite a hassle; but I got it with frequent trips to the local hardware store. I will post pictures soon. My question is for my ground coat of varnishing. I have gelatin powder, and was wondering if my recipe will work for a decent ground. I got this recipe online from internationalviolin.com:

Dissolve about 30 g of gelatin powder in a liter of warm water and then heat until the solution is clear and thin. Apply the warm solution evenly with a bristle brush, leave to dry completely and sand down very carefully with a fine sandpaper.

Will this work for a decent ground? Should I change this in any way? And also, how many coats (of ground) should I apply? I was thinking 2 or 3, but I don't know...

Thanks!

Mikes · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:46 am Post subject:

What to use for a ground is a big question with many possible answers. If you are going to use gelatin one coat should be sufficient. Good luck!

Mike S

ChameleonMan · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Florida, US

Hello everyone,

I applied the ground today. I used my specifications, and it has been only a few hours, and I have noticed something odd. The ground has dried to be the wood's natural color and texture. It looks and feels like I didn't even apply the ground. Is this normal? Please help!

Mikes · Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:41 am Post subject:

Yes it is normal, remember gelatan is water based, water dampens the wood and gives it temporary color, when the water evaporates the color goes away. When the gelatan is dry (overnight) I would scuff sand it very very lightly with 400 grit abrasive paper to knock down the raised wood grain. Then you'll need to decide what to do to start adding color. Have you done any testing on a separate peice of wood to work out your complete process? I would do this before proceeding any further on you instrument.
Mike S

ChameleonMan · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Florida, US

Great, thank you. I have not started, but should I do a layer of stain or go on to varnish? Yes, I will mix and test the varnish on a piece of wood. Wink

ChameleonMan · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Florida, US

I have finished sanding after the ground coat. Some of the improvements over my "rough draft" were:

-Inlaid purfling
-More symmetrical scroll
-Correctly placed f holes
-Better selection of wood
-Better graduation job

I have taken some pictures for you to comment/critique my work, please do!

ChameleonMan · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Florida, US

I forget to mention, sorry for the bad pictures! I realize some are out of proportion or hazy. And also to note, I still have some sanding to do so don't comment my poorly shaped edges. Wink

Tim McTigue · Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 6:10 pm Post subject:

VERY nice work! I sure hope I can do as well on my #2 - I'm currently working on my "rough draft", just doing the neck set now (which I've been working on since Sunday). I love the one-piece back!
_________________
Tim
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ChameleonMan · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Florida, US

Thank you. Sounds great! I'd love to see some pictures of your process. Yes, the one piece back is definitely my favorite part of it, too. It glistens as you move it. Very Happy

M.Lange · Member Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 81 Location: Germany

You built it in two weeks? Shocked

That's pretty amazing.
Nice work there.

I would try to get a darker ground. Make some tests (not on the violin!) with strong black tea and see, if you like it. It gives a nice color, though if you overdo it, it has a tendency to lock the flames.

Matthias

ChameleonMan · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Florida, US

Two weeks, yes probably devoting 3-5 hours a day to it. I swear I'm not obsessed. Wink

I will try that, thank you.

ChameleonMan · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Florida, US

Today I placed an order for a round of some supplies. I ordered a soundpost setter and gauge (after convincing myself mine was no good and I could pay 4 dollars for one), a selected soundpost stick, fingerboard stain, stain for the back of the neck, and 3 different varnishes, clear, dark brown, and red. I'm hoping for a dark brown center that fades into a subtle red around the bouts. Hopefully it'll work out good. Would the clear varnish make a good sealer? And also, I got some pumice and rottenstone for polishing. Good selection of materials for soundpost setting and varnishing/finishing? Let me know what you think. They should be here by the 29th.

ChameleonMan · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Florida, US

Could someone give me the recipe for the black tea to create a darker ground? Thanks

ChameleonMan · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Florida, US

I did some fine scraping/sanding today and the color is really starting to come out. I would still like that recipe for the black tea stain, though, so please let me know if you can help. Thanks!