protecting the top

[dwd811]

I havent decided what finish I will use yet but I would like to seal or wash coat spruce the top in order to keep it somewhat clean - I have not finish sanded yet. Could someone advise me?

[Ben-Had]

I finish sand my top and then put on two coats of sanding sealer (of the type finish you're using) before starting on the B/S, works good for me.

[Darryl Young]

You can level sand the put on a couple coats of shellac or Sealkote to protect the top.

[dwd811]

Tim B and Slackere - thanks for the insight!

[Zen]

Have you considered a Tru Oil Finish ? Used on gun stocks sometimes. You will still need to use a sanding sealer as outlined previously but as a finish I found it good and very easy to apply. Also , consider French polishing with shellac. Theres some really good info on the web /you tube/ etc on both methods. But of course, theres the tried and tested Spray method with lacquer/ nitro etc , But you could consider the Spray Cans -- rattle can Nitrocellulose (Nitro) Finish--easy to apply apparently as well and readilly available .But protect with sanding sealer first. And what about pore filling ? Depends on the wood you used.

[nkwak]

I was thinking of using shellac for my current build but the cut varies. I've been reading that to seal the top you use 1 pound cut.

[naccoachbob]

One thing I've been horrible about to date was taking care of the guitar top from day 1 to finish. As a result, all you have to do is look at the top and you know that it wasn't professionally done.
That stops now! My April's New Year's Resolution!
I bought Somogyi's books on The Responsive Guitar. In the books and in some videos I've seen of him, he keeps the top in his humidity controlled room (possibly temp controlled also) at least until he has the box completed. And all along then, he has paper taped down over the entire top. It doesn't come off unless it absolutely has to. I think the paper comes to about 1/2" from any edge, then is taped around that. That's going to be my goal.
But I have also sealed at least the outer edges of the top in the event I use CA glue or anything else that might seep into the top wood.