Official Luthiers Forum!

I am about to make an order for Cardnial finish instrument coating. Should I only use their sealer or is everyone sealing with a spray shellac and nothing else?

Thanks

Blake.

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Blake Dixon
Kelowna B.C.

I have only done one. Sealed the top with shellac and pore filled with Z-Poxy. No problems yet, it was sprayed last summer.

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Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgement.

Cool That is what I have planned as well, sealing with Shellac, however my question to all is (if I dont need the cardnial sealer then I wont order it.) Correct? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Blake.

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Blake Dixon
Kelowna B.C.

You are much better off to use the proper sealer. Shellac and lacquers have changed a good bit chemically . There are many examples of adhesion issues . There is a reason they suggest using the sealers. Yes I know many of you use shellac , but it is a gamble. This is more about compatible chemistry over time.

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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

John is correct, modern lacquers are highly engineered coating systems, for best results you should work within the system. I even discourage using brand A sealer under brand B finish for that reason. Plus if you do have an issue the only way their tech dept. can even begin to assist you is if you used their system start to finish, anything else is an unknown.

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Brian

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

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

+++ What John and Brian have said. Why in the world would one compromise all the work that has gone into a guitar build and finish prep with materials that aren't formulated by the manufacturer of the finish that you use? This only opens the door to problems or complete failure. Mixing materials that aren't designed by the manufacturer for the optimal end result only invite warranty repairs that your finish supplier will not be able to support you with. Use the WHOLE system that is designed for the finish you are using and learn to use it correctly as designed.

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jw ( o)===:::

Best person to ask is Cardinal.... Seems like an easy question... "will shellac be okay under your finish?"

There are also a lot of lacquer on bare wood only finishes out there with no issues.

Darrel, I'm one of those bare wood lacquer people. Have never had any adhesion problems, and I've used Mohawk, McFadden's/Seagrave, Cardinal, and even G.J. Nikolas back in the late 70's & early 80's. If I'm not mistaken, Howard Klepper is bare-wood finisher also.

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michael propsom
www.propsomguitars.com