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Hello, Finally got my acoustic cutaway
guitar to finishing stage and the only finish I could find locally was Rustins sanding sealer shellac. http://www.rustins.eu/Details.asp?ProductID=793

I decided to give it a try and simply brushed on a quick coat last night on Ovankol back and sides--

I also gave the mahogony neck a coat.
I was wondering if anyone can advise me as to where to go from here. I presume that I will have to sand it right down and apply several more coats but where does that leave me ? Do I still have to spray nitro cellulose as a finish

I still have not touched the Spruce top --should I also apply Rustins as a sanding sealer ?

Any advise appreciated

Zen

what do you plan to use for a top coat or are you using just the shellac?

tippie53 wrote:what do you plan to use for a top coat or are you using just the shellac?

ahh , thats my dilemma john and I dont know enough about finishes to say one way or another.

I live in a wet/damp climate--well its not always that way but Ireland is not noted for its heat so would that be a factor. Is the shellac I have chosen suitable to complete the job ? How many coats would be best ? Do I have to sand after each coat and how many coats? Sorry for all the questions but its my very first baby.
Right now all I have done is paint on one Shellac coat of "Rustins shellac sanding sealer" on the back/sides / and neck as I was constantly having to sand and clean the instrument after handling. I have noting on the Spruce top yet--should I also use shellac to get that sealed so that its not getting dirt embedded every time I touch it?

If there was a way to avoid spraying that would suit me , but if not I have access to a spray gun but need to learn how to use it. Is french polishing an option using this shellac or is there a different one I need to buy?

Theres so much conflicting info on the web and I got bogged down in it at some stag,e so your advice would be very welcome
Best Regards and thanks again

typically sealer type shellac is to light of a cut to use as a finish because it builds to slowly. It also may contain additives that may make it unsuitable as well. Not sure what is available in your country but I use buttonlac from shellac.net for my French polish. Brush grade lacquers are Readily available here in the states as well. There are lots of options for finish, pick one you are comfortable with and we'll see if we can help you figure out a process. And yes you should seal the top as well.

Thanks Brian,

http://www.rustins.eu/Details.asp?ProductID=793

This one has Shellac and alcohol mixed and also an additive to help it dry as well, so you are probably correct that it would not be suitable as a finish. My one big worry is that too many coats of anything will affect sound and deaden the tone ? Thats why I'm trying to get as much info as possible.

I will continue and coat the top anyway as its all going to be sanded right down and then decide how to continue

I've never made my own shellac. Can someone describe the ratios and ingredients to use for a 2lb cut?

Ingredients are simple, shellac and alcohol. The cut as referred to in pounds basically means that is how many pounds of shellac per gallon of alcohol is used. So for your example a 2 lb cut means 2 lbs. of shellac per gallon or 1 lb. per half gallon, 8 oz per quart and so on. You should use fresh shellac, most use flakes but I prefer buttons and the purest alcohol you can find. Everclear is great if you can get it where you live. I use Kleenstrip Green denatured.

Thanks Brian! That's exactly the info I needed. I will see if I can buy EverClear here in AR (not sure). Actually, I will be using Damar instead of shellac.

damar? As in the varnish used to seal oil paintings? Typically that was cut with gum turpentine not alcohol.

Yes, that Damar. And you are correct, it doesn't dissolve in alcohol. I just went back and re-read the Damar info I received from Andy Gamble and I need to use non-polar solvents........like turpentine or mineral spirits. He said to use a 2lb cut like shellac but I didn't recall the different solvent so thanks for the reminder!