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Help on finishing issue - cut through on top
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Author:  Corky Long [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 11:27 am ]
Post subject:  Help on finishing issue - cut through on top
Well, I'm in that two steps forward, one step back mode.
I wasn't happy with the finish on the rosette (large gaps which somehow didn't appear until I sanded and buffed the top. So, I filled with CA, then sanded back and of course cut through the finish on several spots around the soundhole. I'm using KTM9 - water based lacquer - sprayed.

What are my options here? Is the only way to do this to shoot again and rebuff. I really want to move on to another guitar. Is it folly to hit the patches with shellac and call it a day? I'm not looking for absolute perfection, but the patches now are down to bare wood - clearly not acceptable.

Lousy picture - sorry - I guess I was focused on that splatter inside the soundbox rather than the patches around the rosette. duh (At least with the washcoat of shellac inside the bozx the cleanup is a snap)

Thanks.
Author:  JohnAbercrombie [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 11:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help on finishing issue - cut through on top
Corky Long wrote:
What are my options here? Is the only way to do this to shoot again and rebuff. I really want to move on to another guitar.


Corky-
I've been in a similar situation a few times- basically, a bit 'sick and tired' of a project and just want to 'get it out of the way' so I can start on something else. My advice: set the project aside for a few weeks if necessary and do something else until your enthusiasm returns.
Then you will have the energy to 'do it right', which in this case will probably involve re-finishing the top. A 'slapdash' solution which seems 'good enough' right now will be staring at you for years to come, and you won't like the feeling. It will be a lot more work to correct the problem once the neck is on,etc.
All this has been learned through a bit of hard experience on my part!
Just my 'two cents worth'..
Cheers
John
Author:  alan stassforth [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 12:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help on finishing issue - cut through on top
hey corky, i agree with john.
i shot a coat on a build just recently, and realized the black fiber bindings were so freakin ugly that it would not do.
i was dreading a re-bind, and it sat there.
i started another build, and it's going really good, so far.
after i finished a phase on the new build, i went at the re-bind, which was
a fun job setting up the router 2 ways, and doing the rest with a sloane cutter,
and let me tell you, that fiber binding is a bear.
but, i did it.
still have to install the new bindings.
think i should try the black fiber again? laughing6-hehe
Author:  Corky Long [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 12:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help on finishing issue - cut through on top
John, Alan,

Thanks for talking me "off the ledge" :lol: That's good advice. I'll take a walk with my kids this afternoon, and think about something else. Shooting some more finish isn't the end of the world.

Regards,
Author:  JohnAbercrombie [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 12:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help on finishing issue - cut through on top
[:Y:] :)
Author:  Ken C [ Mon Sep 13, 2010 9:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help on finishing issue - cut through on top
Corky, I don't know how KTM-9 is to work with. I use Target Coatings Em6000. I have found that this stuff does not burn in well if shot more than a day or two after the previous coat was shot. I have had some success by roughing up the area with 400G or 600G paper and shooting over the area. I have also heard that in addition to sanding, shooting the area with denatured alcohol and letting it flash off prior to spraying the lacquer can help with burn in. I really don't have much experience with this though.

I'd probably end up doing some spot shooting to build up the areas sanded through. Then once you have a half dozen coats over the low spots, level the area smooth with the rest of the top and scuff up the remainder of the top. I'd then shoot three more coats on the entire top, let cure, and buff out. This would give you the most invisible repair.

Ken
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Thu Sep 16, 2010 9:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help on finishing issue - cut through on top
Give the project a rest. Start your next one. Sort of like I read books! Meantime, do your research and good ideas will come to you. Enthusiasm will follow and so will a better result.

Mike
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