Measuring finish thickness

The Achilles' Heel of Luthiery
tippie53
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Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
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Re: Measuring finish thickness

Post by tippie53 »

My favorite way is to seal off the sound hole with foam rubber and a deli cup , then place a business card so it is pinched between the top and the cup. Measure the card first and write down the reading. As you spray you can measure the thickness of the finish build.
It gets you close
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Kevin Sjostrand
Posts: 3712
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:06 pm
Location: Visalia, CA

Re: Measuring finish thickness

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

I like that John, I've never thought about measuring the finish. I think I'll do that on this next one.

Kevin
tippie53
Posts: 7011
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
Contact:

Re: Measuring finish thickness

Post by tippie53 »

I use nitro so I like to see .016 to .020 . 20% will shrink out during curing. It isn't so much what is on but what you let on . You will take of most of what you put on in the level and buff stages.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Kevin Sjostrand
Posts: 3712
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:06 pm
Location: Visalia, CA

Re: Measuring finish thickness

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

I've been putting a couple of coats of sealer, and 4 cans of Deft lacquer on, I'd like to know how much that comes out too. I have thought I need to put another 2 or 3 coats; one more can. This will give a good idea of where I'm at. I like it.

Kevin
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