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PostPosted: Wed May 12, 2010 5:43 pm 
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Cocobolo
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Joined: Mon Nov 02, 2009 1:34 pm
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First name: Ellison
City: Whitman
State: MA
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This may be a dumb question. I have no idea. I've done my first few finishes with nitro, and have not used shellac before. I've started a new project and will be installing a spalted maple rosette in an adirondack top. I've heard of people coating the top with shellac before routing the rosette channel. Can I do this and still finish the guitar with nitro? Can I leave the shellac on the top? Sand it off? How thick of a coat or coats can I or should I put on if this is possible? Thanks for your help, folks.


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PostPosted: Thu May 13, 2010 2:53 pm 
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Cocobolo
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Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 12:10 pm
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First name: Brendan
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Todd Stock wrote:
Almost anything goes over or under shellac - it's a barrier coat. Shellac is often used as a sealer coat under nitro.


ok, so here's an even dumber question! :)

Could i put shellac over a sanded nitro finish and then spray KTM-9 waterbased laquer over that?

thanks!

bren

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PostPosted: Thu May 13, 2010 4:39 pm 
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Contributing Member
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Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:03 am
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Location: Abbotsford, BC Canada
brenbrenCT wrote:
Todd Stock wrote:
Almost anything goes over or under shellac - it's a barrier coat. Shellac is often used as a sealer coat under nitro.


ok, so here's an even dumber question! :)

Could i put shellac over a sanded nitro finish and then spray KTM-9 waterbased laquer over that?

thanks!

bren


You probably could, but why would you want to? You'd have to let the nitro cure for a very long time to let is shrink mostly (still shrinks over the years), then do the shellac, then the WB. Three different finishes isn't really the best idea. If you're already putting down nitro, why worry about WB? idunno

I usually spray 2 coats of shellac on the entire body before starting the build coats of finish (WB or nitro to date). If you're sealing the top before installing the rosette most of it will come off when you are leveling the rosette, bindings, purflings so you may have some residue in some areas. Try and get the top uniform with the seal coats before proceeding to the build coats, but it's not totally critical.

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PostPosted: Sat May 15, 2010 10:52 am 
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Cocobolo
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Todd Stock wrote:
Almost anything goes over or under shellac - it's a barrier coat. Shellac is often used as a sealer coat under nitro.


Does glue stick well to shellac?

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PostPosted: Sat May 15, 2010 11:26 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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glues do not stick well to any finish medium

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PostPosted: Sat May 15, 2010 12:42 pm 
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Koa
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I agree, most wood glues do not stick well to shellac. CA is one exception.


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