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I just placed some orders with LMI and Stew-Mac for a few things today and it got me thinking about procedural steps. I'll be using Z-Poxy as my pore filler for the whole guitar and french polishing for finish coat. I've been applying de-waxed shellac to all parts inside and out to keep them clean. Should I do my finish sanding on the body, back, top and neck, then Z-Poxy b4 f.p. or put a coat of the de-waxed shellac then Z-Poxy and final f.p.? I'm unsure as to whether the shellac would cause any problems as a "base coat" or not. I don't have the setup or space to ever shoot coatings so f.p. will be my standard finish except for a few planned guitars out of the more exotic woods that I'm intending to send to a pro like Joe White.

Thanks!

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Bobby Masten

I believe you should not put shellac under z-poxy.
But the other way is ok.
Search the archives. There is a thread about this topic in there somewhere.

So "procedural steps"

1- Finish sanding - no visible scratches anywhere.
2- Z-poxy till all pores are filled
3- sand till you reach wood and only z-poxy is left in the pores ( you will have to do this more than once to fill the pores )
4- Cut z-poxy 50/50 with denature or pure grain alcohol and wipe everywhere to even out color
5- scuff sand GENTLY !!! or you'll have to do #4 again.
6 - start french polishing - you can go straight to bodying.

Hope that helps

Put the z-poxy on bare wood. Z-poxy will not adhere to a base of shellac but shellac will adhere to the z-poxy. There is probably not a need to z-poxy the top, so you can start with shellac on the top and protect it somewhat while doing the work on the back and sides.

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http://www.Harvestmoonguitars.com

I've never tried Z-Poxy on the top.
So only do it if you are willing to experiment and take the risk.
It might be good or maybe not - Who knows.

Maybe someone in this forum has done the experiment and is willing to enlighten us.

I have tried shellac first then z-poxy and I don't see any problems so far. But it is very hard to fill the pores with shellac undercoat and I don't suggest doing it. So z-poxy first is the way to go.

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http://goatrockukulele.com