Pray for me....This is the stain coat I have chosen, Ace Hardware's Wood Stain. Base is "Pickling White", mixed color is called "Crystal Blue". I purchased a half pint, and we ADDED 1/2 shot of the blue tint. This is important, maybe, as I really wanted something even a bit darker blue, but we shall see....

First layer of the blue rock salt glitter. Man, this stuff is HUGE! I can't find blue regular glitter anywhere. Went to Mal-Mart, the Michael's, all the normal places. The only store that had any blue is Hobby-Lobby, and is the size of kosher salt grains! Well, after the second coat, we will see how it goes. This will take too much to do if I have to use it all throughout. Hmmmm Well, as I said, it's all I can find...

[COLOR="DarkRed"]Not coming along badly at all. Humor me again (I know you already went over this, but...): h

How did you apply the glitter ? Brush...spray...or did'ja just pick up a pile in your hand and sneeze ????[/COLOR]

Well, a little fair...

OK, I brushed on the stain, let it do it's thang for a couple hours, then poly and, yeah basically sprinkle it on. So the coverage is spotty. It gets better in subsequent layers.

The method you've chosen is one that implies depth. The "grains" are not all on the same level. There is a slight "step" to each layer. That is an excellent idea. You seem to be concerned with the size of the grains. Once you lay down a few layers, are you wet sanding? It might help to reduce the size of the grains once you get to the final layers. Then you can lay down your multi-layers of clear. Might be something to try.

This is the first coat/layer, and I haven't really gotten too deep yet. I will let you know how it goes. These are not at all like the "regular" glitter. It is really like rock salt. Large grains. The last batch was just like you the glitter you see everywhere you get it, where this is not at all like I've ever seen.

The reason I am concerned is that it may get out of hand for the hardware and head mounting.

This one did not turn out as nicely as the last due to the rock salt-like grain of the first few layers of glitter. I finally found some "good glitter" that is flat like it should be, but it came together, none the less. And it is thunderous. It is just a 5 ply luan, but the edges are nice and sharp, and contoured very nicely, not set all the way out, but about 2/3 to the outer edge. Works well!

BEFORE A N D AFTER

You've got a new fan. Impressive, for sure. I'm really liking your methods and techniques.

Well, thank you. It is so much less expensive than "store bought wrap", especially for "worthless" shells. And it is a great hobby. This one is booming, and I haven't even spent any time tuning it. All I did was put heads on beat it. This seems to give these shells, especially the really thin ones, some life. They sounded bad and now that they have some heft to them, they crank. I don't think this shell is really affected by the exterior treatment due to it's thickness. It is a heavy thickness of mahogany luan.

And BTW, I use Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound on all my chrome parts. The only time I use 4-0000 is on the T-RODS!!! NOT LUGS..., it cleans them out really well, and I put mineral oil on it so they are lubed afterward.