Official Luthiers Forum!

Anyone out there tried the clear pore filler made by Crystalac? or Mosers? would like to here your thoughts & opinions.
Brian

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

I use crystalac. They're instructions aren't....great. I apply it with a rag, then work it down into the pores with a squeege, while removing the excess. You can sand a recoat in an hour. 2 or 3 coats with most woods. I let it sit overnight before finishing.

There's literally thousands of methods, and products for pore filling. They pretty much all work with patience, and proper methods.


Crystalac contains silica. Wear breathing protection when sanding.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Woody,
Can you describe what it is like to work with at all? Is it runny or thick etc.,?
Thanks

What type of finishes are you using over it?

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

It's about the consistancy of oatmeal. It's thin enough to apply with a rag, but thick enough to wipe off the excess with a squeegee. Like I said earlier, the trick is to get it down into the pores, which is the trick with pretty much any pore filler. My primary finish is oil based varnish, but I've also used it under nitro, as well as catalyzed urethane. I'm sure it would work with waterborne finish, but I don't use them.

The filler is waterborne, so it raises the grain. I think it's a good idea to wipe a guitar with a damp cloth to raise the grain (then sand it back) reguardless of finish, or filler used.

_________________
I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Hmmm.
Grain raising eh? Well, I've got some on the way for the next guitar. We'll see bow I do with it. Pore filling is such a PITA.

I wonder what would happen if you gave a shellac wash coat prior to porefill?

Personally I like to raise the grain by wiping the guitar with a damp rag prior to any finishing, or pore filling. No finish, at least any finish we're using on guitars is water proof. A sweaty arm draped across the top could allow some moisture to penetrate the finish, and raise the grain on a completed guitar. (yes, I'm paronoid) The grain won't raise.............. after it's been raised, and sanded back. I also believe raising the grain, and sanding it back gives a smoother finish.


Edit, I've got to add I don't really understand raising the grain. I don't know why it doesn't shrink back, once it's raised, or why it doesn't raise again, once it's been sanded back. Maybe some of the smart people can explain it. I don't want anyone thinking I'm smarter than I am.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

From what I understand, "raising the grain" is somewhat of a misnomer. The grain isn't being raised per se when wiping the surface with a damp cloth. Rather, the loose wood fibers absorb the water and stand up so-to-speak because... they're loose and not completely attached to the surface. After "raising the grain," it's recommended to sand slightly askew of the grain so as not the push the loose/raised wood fibers back into the surface.

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Forever a student, always learning.