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I'm curious about whether anyone has used KTM-SV and what the results were. We're currently using KTM-9 and getting good end results, with the usual frustration(s) as far as sanding (thru occasionally). I had read a mandolin maker's site where he said the SV was harder than the KTM-9 and a little easier to use.


Any thoughts? good bad or otherwise....


Thanks to all

I used KTM-9 for about 20 guitars but switched to SV after having durability issues. The SV I found to be even easier to apply if anything. I have only used it on two guitars but by the second one I had very good results. I used 3m 30 and 15 mic to sand before buffing and it worked great after a three week cure out. I can't recall what I used to sand between coats, which is really too bad because the only reason I'm awake at such an uncivilized hour on a Saturday is to paint a pair of guits with SV. I found it was usually an hour and a half between coats, so to shoot 8 basecoats is about a twelve hour adventure, and I've got a gig tonight.
I'm a little worried as it started raining today and my new booth vents/ intakes from outside instead of the RH controlled shop.
If you're able to get even half decent results with 9, SV will be just as easy. One caveat is that it is much more heat sensitive than any other finish I've buffed and first time I did I peeled off great swaths of it, so gently does it and boy do I mean that. End result is a much shinier finish than 9, no blue haze, and a finish that feels much more natural under the hand and less plasticky than the 9. As Van Halen so wisely said, only time will tell if it will stand the test of time.
Well, off to shave so the respirator gets a good seal...
Oh and one more thing, the msds for this stuff shows it to be very benign.

More and more I'm leaning toward trying this product on my first build. I have no spray experience......but my semi-retired neighbor across the street has ran a body shop for years and he offered to help me learn to use a spray gun.

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......