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Hi all

I'm looking to get a guitar finished. The customer is looking for a UV finish. I live in Canada, so would prefer to do this on this side of the border if I can.

Any ideas?
Thanks
Neil

You could try David Webber in Vancouver.

Pretty sure he doesn't do UV. Rob Boustos at Paragon Guitars may help you out, but I'm not sure if he takes outside work...
As far as I know, the only advantage to the UV stuff is how fast it can be ready to buff. Why does the customer want UV? I ask because your options may open up if you don't get hung up on UV...David Webber for instance....

I'd agree with what's been said. I understand that he'd want polyester, as I think it's a superior instrument finish, but the final film isn't going to be different whether it's UV or MEKP catalyzed.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Neil,

A number of years ago I did find someone north of the border that sprayed a UV polyester finish for me. From a distance the finished product was beautiful. But up close you could see a very thick coat of finish - almost like it had been dipped. As I scratched away some finish to glue down the finger board extension I could tell that the finish was way too thick. I am certain that the finish choked a lot of the sound out of that guitar.

Still hating the finishing process, I decided to continue my quest. Just a few months ago I posted here on the forum looking for new leads. As you'd expect I was pointed in a bunch of new directions. But none of them panned out. I pursued a few leads, had a few great conversations (always the case when talking with luthiers!), and in the end realized that I needed to solve my own finishing problems. Easier in my case than yours, though. I didn't have a customer asking for a bullet proof coating.

The one lead that was cold at the time but might be warming up is Josh House. He's done some custom finishing in the past, but not since he and his family have had to put back the pieces after a tornado. Nitro instead of poly is my guess. But maybe you can talk your customer into that instead.

Hope this helps.

I feel for you on getting a bad finish job, but it's not the finishes fault that the finisher was inept. A lot of guys, including Kevin Ryan, are using polyester because they can lay it down thinner than other finishes and it'll still do its job.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Neil,

I wasn't able to find anyone either...I tried a few names that were given to me, but to no avail. I decided I'll try my own (no spraying though), but if you find anyone, feel free to let me know! I'd still rather send them out to be finished.

Laurie

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