Adding finish to tweed case

slowpilgrim

Hi guys, I just bought a nice 60s classic series lacquer Strat and got a fairly nice tweed hard case with it. The tweed is unfinished so I figured I should probably protect it.

Is there an economical way I can add a simple finish to this? I don’t have access to a workshop and live in an apartment, so the less messy the better.

cheers!

munckee

You can paint ronseal or similar to it. I painted a tweed amp with antique pine varnish and liked the finish. Just a bit yellowed and aged and protected. 

Devil#20

I quite like the tweed cases and amps as is. You could put ScotchGuard on it to protect it to a certain extent. 

slowpilgrim

Cool will check these out, I also read polyurethane spray works pretty well.

slowpilgrim

munckee said:

You can paint ronseal or similar to it. I painted a tweed amp with antique pine varnish and liked the finish. Just a bit yellowed and aged and protected. 

Going to try this tomorrow. Would 250ml be enough or do I need 750ml?

slowpilgrim

Gave Ronseal a go, after putting it on the varnish soaked through really quickly so ended up quite splotchy on one side. Other side I tried to go way lighter, so you couldn’t see it, and seemed to be a bit better but there’s still dark brush strokes. Going to let it dry for a bit and then try to even it out.

slowpilgrim

Having checked out some other threads, it looks like you are supposed to just slather it on?

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/147449/tweed-colour-pale-and-interesting/p1

jonnyburgo

I did a tweed fender pro jr with wilko clear varnish, looked great and gave it slight vimtage tint.

munckee

slowpilgrim said:

Having checked out some other threads, it looks like you are supposed to just slather it on?

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/147449/tweed-colour-pale-and-interesting/p1

I did 2 coats from memory. There was a bit of unevenness at the tweed joins but I thought it looked a bit aged as a result.  

Devil#20

Anybody got before and after pictures? I've got a tweed Fender Blues Deluxe Re-issue. Not sure I'd want to varnish it though. Scotch Guard seems to keep it fairly clean but then it never leaves the house. Just wondering if varnishing it would effect the tone of the amp.

slowpilgrim

i'll take some pics when i'm done. looking far better now i've put another coat on. the antique pine gives it a nice tobacco tinge, instant +50 years.

ICBM

Devil#20 said:

Just wondering if varnishing it would effect the tone of the amp.

In my opinion it does. A hard lacquer seems to make the amp brighter and more 'vibrant'. I'm sure a lot of people will say I'm mad .

stonevibe

ICBM said:

Devil#20 said:

Just wondering if varnishing it would effect the tone of the amp.

In my opinion it does. A hard lacquer seems to make the amp brighter and more 'vibrant'. I'm sure a lot of people will say I'm mad .

Depends on how much of those lacquer fumes you inhaled when you were applying the finish...