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Which CA do you like for pore fill, thin, medium, thick? I've been experimenting lately with medium thickness and wondering if other formulations would work better. Thanks

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Build log

There are problems filling with CA regardless of the viscosity. Thin CA runs a lot so it can be difficult to keep it where you want it and it takes more to fill. It does penetrate better so the pores are filled to the bottom. Medium CA can leave the bottom of the pore empty and shrink more over time unless it's forced down into the pores. Thin CA can wet the wood less uniformly than medium CA and leave it uneven looking. All regular CA fumes a lot so I have gone to non-fuming oddorless medium CA from BSI that I force into the pores with a latex glove. I let it cure for about a week and that helps with shrink back. The problem with it is that it's twice as expensive as regular CA and on very porous woods that can be costly. I'm experimenting with Starbond thin odorless CA now but I don't know what it will do over time. It's not quite as runny as BSI Super Gold thin and goes on very easily. I haven't tried thick CA especially since I can't get it in a non-fuming formula as far as I know.

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

I use medium Starbond CA and spread it with a small plastic bondo applicator at a 45 degree angle with the grain. Wash coat of shellac before each application. Weather permitting, I do this outside due to the fumes. Usually takes two applications.

Chuck

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I just finished a guitar with medium CA too. Heavy shellac coat, then CA spread over palm sized areas with different methods. Then sand and repeat. I tried a credit card, sandpaper, paper towels... I guess the card worked best. I did it outside, keeping my head as far as possible from it and the fumes were almost bearable, although I need to buy a proper resp if I'll keep with this method. It is less work than pumice, and promises to hold better. Pumice fill tends to bloom and pop open when player sweat and heat gets through the FP.

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Build log

I hope in 2 years your finish stays on the guitar. I will not use CA for a filler . This stuff dries hard and tends to separate from the top coat. There is a reason it is a glue and not a finish.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I've read a number of comments from people who use it for years now and it seems to work: Mario, Arnt Rian, others.
The thing is it stays only in the pores, I make sure the main wood is exposed before the final shellac seal. CA seems to adhere very very well to shellac, it actually burns through it, and then shellac seems to stick OK on CA. I've used CA for small fills where pumice wouldn't work (rosette, large pores, small defects) for a few years now and there are no issues with the FP on top of it. So I am hoping.

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Build log

Alex. Have you tried the paste fillers? I've recently revisited a thixotropic paste filler that I last tried near on 20 years ago. I gave up on the stuff because it seemed impossible to wipe off the excess and I ended up doing a LOT of sanding. This time it's gone on much better with very little sanding needed. I even love the smell of the stuff! Can't really say that about CA.

Nope, maybe I will order on the next occasion, thanks. Brand?

I just did a new CA session on another guitar and managed not to feel any fumes at all. Worked outside and held the guitar as far as possible, spreading with the arm stretched and head held tilted back.

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Build log

It's non branded. I just get it from a Luthiers suppliers in the UK. I'm pretty certain it's easily obtainable elsewhere. It's the stuff that gets you high
it might not be last word in pore filling but then again what is.

The stuff Stew Mac sells works really good.I use the medium to pore fill.Some of the guitars I`ve filled are several years old and I haven`t had any problems.

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

Most people that have trouble with finish not bonding to CA use too fine of a sandpaper grit before the finish is applied. I only go to 320 and haven't had any problems.

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com