Finishing with hardened shellac
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Finishing with hardened shellac
I was wondering how hard and durable "hardened shellac" actually is compared to a nitrocellulose finish? luthiers mercantile sells a product called hardened shellac. It is easy to use, just French polish it on, but I was wondering how durable it is. Anyone know for sure?
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Re: Finishing with hardened shellac
after 173 guitars I tried many finishes. I still use Nitro. Shellac is not a bad finish but nitro is more durable. I think the hardened shellac would be my 2nd choice for steel strings.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Re: Finishing with hardened shellac
Which is easier to repair??
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Re: Finishing with hardened shellac
don't know . Nitro is easy I guess Brian Howard may have some experience. It depends on what they use . Plain Shellac and Nitro have a back door and allows repairs relative easy.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
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Re: Finishing with hardened shellac
What do you mean when you say "hardened " shellac? What has been added?. If you are talking about the U-beaut stuff, my advice is to stay away from that, Have heard to many horror stories about crazing and other problems with that finish on guitars.
You never know what you are capable of until you actually try....
Brian Howard
www.brianhowardguitars.com
Taylor authorized service
Custom finishing services
Brian howard's guitar building & repair blog
http://www.brianhowardguitars.com
Brian Howard
www.brianhowardguitars.com
Taylor authorized service
Custom finishing services
Brian howard's guitar building & repair blog
http://www.brianhowardguitars.com
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Re: Finishing with hardened shellac
There were two formulations of U-beaut. There first commercial version did crack and craze. The second formulation does not have the same issues. The story I heard that the product sold now is closer to the product made in Australia before it was sold to the current manufacture. They had removed the plasticizers from the original formula and then added them back in for the current product.
I used it to French polish a classical guitar and it came out very nice. The guitar is a few years old and the finish is still very nice. While French polishing the product did act like shellac.
I used it to French polish a classical guitar and it came out very nice. The guitar is a few years old and the finish is still very nice. While French polishing the product did act like shellac.
Re: Finishing with hardened shellac
John,
Is the Ubeaut finish easily repairable?
Is the Ubeaut finish easily repairable?
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Re: Finishing with hardened shellac
yes with more u-beaut or even shellac