finish experiment

The Achilles' Heel of Luthiery
tippie53
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finish experiment

Post by tippie53 »

I want to share some info with you. I have started a few experiments . Finishing guitars can be difficult and I am trying different products.
This first experiment is with Min Wax wipe on poly. I am using both gloss and satin. The guitar is mahogany. I am doing the top and it seems to be doing a decent job. The instruction tell you to wipe it on and have 3 hr dry. I did that for a few coats but found that clean cotton worked best but pouring a bit on the top and wiped even with the cloth.
Between coats the instructions said to sand with 220 , I find 320 worked better. I will take picks today to show the progress. I have applied a coat every 3 hrs and got 4 coats on yesterday and will post the progess later today.
I have also been using a can lacquer on another guitar and found Minwax is by far the best result. I did a neck with it and will now do a full guitar. Deft is ok but minwas gloss and satin worked much better.
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John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Rag Thumb
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Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 5:41 pm
Location: Durham, NC

Re: finish experiment

Post by Rag Thumb »

I tried the Minwax Wipe On stuff not on a guitar but on a piece of mahogany furniture and I fought it like crazy. I suspect I got an old can off the shelf at Lowe's or something because no matter how much I shook the can I couldn't get any solids to appear, so I was getting gloss where I didn't want it. AS you know there is no way to stir the product because the can opening is so small, so I'm not sure if my guess about the old can was accurate or not.

Beyond that the actual application for me was resulting in a very uneven finish and I couldn't get any build at all. However, the instruction I was seeing at the time led me to believe I should wipe it back off almost immediately - quite different than what you are doing by waiting 3 hours.

I will look forward to seeing more info from you on this subject.
------------

Rex
tippie53
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Re: finish experiment

Post by tippie53 »

this is after 4 coats and as you can see there is a sheen not a shine.
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John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
tippie53
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Re: finish experiment

Post by tippie53 »

then I sanded this with 320 on a Random Orbital sander and the finish leveled off very well
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John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
tippie53
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Re: finish experiment

Post by tippie53 »

My variation off the instructions was to pour on a dollop of the poly then wipe it with a cotton rag. I tried a paper towel and it got too fuzzy. The tee shirt did a nice job and this is what it looked like after I spread it around. I applied about as much 2 times and let it set. I will do another application in about 3 hrs and show that progress.
I can see that the finish is building up and it may not be as glossy as nitro but I can see a build. We will know in a few days.
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John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
tippie53
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Re: finish experiment

Post by tippie53 »

latest coat
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John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
tippie53
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Re: finish experiment

Post by tippie53 »

been letting this set a few days. I also did the sides and will be buffing soon. It made a nice appearance but will know more one I get this buffed up
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
phavriluk
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Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2012 9:49 pm

Re: finish experiment

Post by phavriluk »

I recently used Minwax wipe-on satin poly to finish a top repair (new salvaged damaged guitar) wherein I replaced a missing piece of spruce on the outer edge of the lower bout on a Seagull Walnut 12. Repair finish looked natural next to the undamaged area. Happy results.
peter havriluk
saltytri
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Re: finish experiment

Post by saltytri »

I've used Minwax Fast-Drying Poly. It seems very similar to the Wipe-on, which looks and smells the same but is thinner. It brushes on easily and can be wet sanded and buffed to a perfect gloss after curing. I don't recall the curing time but I know it had at least a couple of weeks before buffing. The result is smooth and hard. The instrument has been finished for over a year and no problems. It does have a slight amber tint.
tippie53
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Re: finish experiment

Post by tippie53 »

I think the wipe on may cure faster
It is hard after 24 hr and sands without gumming.

the point of the experiment is to help early builders to get a decent finish. I personally use Nitro but I have been working with that for over 40 yrs
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
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