Woodie G wrote:
Mr. Vincent:
We had this discussion with the boss over the weekend and I followed up today over lunch via text message. He could not recall whether the notes on the videos now reflect this approach, but I'll make those changes if not.
Here are the salient points of the discussion:
- With Mohawk, he feels it's a toss-up between platina shellac, vinyl sealer, and nude - Mohawk's vinyl sealer is not effective at cushioning shock and the lacquer is quite a bit softer than McFaddens with a better plasticiser package, so hangs on a bit better given a naked surface (I was unfamiliar with that term, but is apparently acceptable in what passes for polite company)
- Go with the finish manufacturer's suggestions on tie coat if you don't have some experience with the system. He suggests that he has not used Cardinal, but notes that he thinks it will be closer to McFaddens than Mohawk.
- Make sure the surface of the epoxy is well toothed and no amine blush, etc. remains on the instrument before either sealing or shooting finish coats.
- Accept that some people's chemistry will degrade nitro-to-epoxy bonds, no matter what the tie coat or lack of one. Shellac can help here, but the film thickness required means 2-3 full coats and care in sanding. He notes that this is usually only an issue on the neck, and there is more tolerance for the additional film thickness there than on the body.
I think I got that all - will check and see. Good luck, Mr. Vincent!
We had this discussion with the boss over the weekend and I followed up today over lunch via text message. He could not recall whether the notes on the videos now reflect this approach, but I'll make those changes if not.
Here are the salient points of the discussion:
- With Mohawk, he feels it's a toss-up between platina shellac, vinyl sealer, and nude - Mohawk's vinyl sealer is not effective at cushioning shock and the lacquer is quite a bit softer than McFaddens with a better plasticiser package, so hangs on a bit better given a naked surface (I was unfamiliar with that term, but is apparently acceptable in what passes for polite company)
- Go with the finish manufacturer's suggestions on tie coat if you don't have some experience with the system. He suggests that he has not used Cardinal, but notes that he thinks it will be closer to McFaddens than Mohawk.
- Make sure the surface of the epoxy is well toothed and no amine blush, etc. remains on the instrument before either sealing or shooting finish coats.
- Accept that some people's chemistry will degrade nitro-to-epoxy bonds, no matter what the tie coat or lack of one. Shellac can help here, but the film thickness required means 2-3 full coats and care in sanding. He notes that this is usually only an issue on the neck, and there is more tolerance for the additional film thickness there than on the body.
I think I got that all - will check and see. Good luck, Mr. Vincent!
Woodie. My dad was Mr. Vincent. I respond to a number of different names. Don't be shy. I'm pretty thick skinned.
I have always used Mohawk. There is a well equipped store in Vancouver. Unfortunately the staff appears to have inhaled a little more of their product than what's good for them. They were the one's that mentioned the cushioning of vinyl sealer. I think for that application, under nitro it's a great product. Also a very good sanding sealer. I am suspect of the adhesion between it and epoxy. My tell tale test is when you sink an awl into the wood for a strap button. How big of a delimitation do you get around the hole. The least I have seen is nitro over shellac. None. The worst I have seen is nitro over vinyl over Zpoxy. Sometimes as much as 1/8" circumference around the awl hole. That and delamb dings on binding corners while at some point between final finish sanding and final user. Those are pretty aggravating.
I agree on the toothing. I'm thinking 220G is maybe the way to go. But that may not help on the corners where it is more likely to occur. It would appear, for whatever reason, time makes this less of an issue.
On necks. I never use any tie coat. I've never had a problem getting enough build up. It's pretty easy to build up a neck with finish even with Mahogany.
I'm going with nitro over Zpoxy for the back and sides. (thanks Ken) It's a first for me. I'll let know when I sink an awl into the butt.
If in fact there is a burn into the Zpoxy like Ken mentioned, that would be a beautiful thing.
Thanks for the well thought response Mr. Stoc...... Woody.
Seems like all is becoming well with the Universe.
