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Is shellac a good guitar finish?
The varnish also affects sound quality, so much so that some say the varnish itself can completely change the timbre of the guitar. Shellac resin is the most common type of varnish used to fulfill this important role for guitars. It is indeed the best natural coating for guitars.
Is shellac finish hard?
Shellac is a natural product. It is made from the dried secretions of the female Lac beetle. Once they are dried, collected, and processed, you can dissolve them in a solvent such as alcohol. Shellac is very beautiful and forms a reasonably durable finish that can be high gloss in nature.
Why is shellac Dewaxed?
Dewaxed shellac is an ideal sanding sealer. It bonds tenaciously to virtually any bare wood or finished surface; it dries very quickly, sands smooth with the greatest of ease, and since it contains no stearates it provides a reliable base for any kind of finish going on top.
What is French polishing on guitars?
A: French polishing is a technique of applying many separate layers of varnish to an instrument or article of furniture, using a cloth pad to spread and buff liquid finish until it forms a dry, polished surface. The finish material typically used in French polishing is either oil or spirit varnish.
Can you Poly over shellac?
If you’ve been worrying about putting poly over shellac, worry no more. Dewaxed shellac is compatible with water-based finishes like polyurethane. To add, it is often used as an “adapter” layer and can go over, or under, water or oil-based poly.
Can you buff shellac?
Shellac can result in a high-gloss finish. A mirror-like glossy shellac finish is achieved by French polishing. If you prefer a less glossy, satin finish, buff out the final coat with 0000 steel wool and a non-silicon based paste wax. Allow the wax to dry, wipe it off, and buff the wood surface to a lustrous finish.
What is the difference between shellac and dewaxed shellac?
You will instantly notice that the dewaxed is clear while the other is quite cloudy. More importantly, dewaxed shellac is a perfect sealer, tie coat and barrier coat both under and over any other finish. Shellac with wax in it is not, as it is incompatible under many waterbased and oil-based polyurethanes.
Can you put polyurethane over shellac?
Simply put, shellac covers all. Working the other direction or when you apply other topcoats over shellac, it is often noted that you should not apply polyurethane over shellac. It is, however, OK to use an oil-based urethane over shellac.
Is nitrocellulose a good finish for a guitar?
Many purists and luthiers therefore believe that a nitro finish allows a guitar’s wood to breathe, yielding a more open sound and greater sustain. Although nitrocellulose lacquer may give a guitar an airier sound, its softer texture does make it susceptible to cosmetic damage.
Why choose a poly finish over Nitro Lacquer?
Poly finishes can remain shiny even after decades of use, and don’t fade away in the areas that you’d typically make contact with. If you want your instrument to look new forever, then a poly finish is superior to nitro lacquer.
Is polyester or polyurethane better for guitar finishes?
Polyester and polyurethane guitar finishes are also more resistant to general wear, meaning that scratches and dings are harder to see and inflict. Poly finishes can remain shiny even after decades of use, and don’t fade away in the areas that you’d typically make contact with.
What is the purpose of a guitar’s finish?
The purpose of a guitar’s finish goes beyond just its aesthetic value. That’s because the type of finish that is applied to a guitar’s body and neck can actually affect how the instrument sounds and feels. If you’re shopping for a new guitar, you should therefore consider the finish that it has.