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Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

Wipe on poly over Z-Poxy?

Hello — I would like to finish a mahogany electric neck and body with wipe on poly (probably Minwax satin) and would like to pore fill with Z-Poxy. I can’t find a definitive word on their compatibility. - Can I just wipe on the poly coats after block sanding the 2-3 Z-Poxy coats? - Should the Z-Poxy be sanded all the way back to wood or just smoothed/flattened? - Is a coat of unwaxed shellac between the Z-Poxy and the wipe in…

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Private member
I personally like to do a washout of shellac just in case.
Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

ES-335 Kit Build - Sealer/Grain Fill Question - First Time

I have a client who is going to paint a ES-335 kit guitar (Maple top and Back, Mahogany sides and neck). She will be using an Acrylic (Jesso) matte primer and then painting the entire guitar with Liquitex Acrylic water based paints. Poly finish on top of that. What steps do I need to take to prep the neck and body for painting? Sealer then grain fill then seal again? What products would you use? I have never done this before and am looki…

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Ian Davlin
Are you going to be prepping the instrument before she paints it ? There are a lot of materials here that I've never used on a guitar. I would take the time to get all the materials together and test…
Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

Waterslide decal on wipe-on poly

Hi -- I built my first two guitars and finished them with Minwax wipe-on poly. I came to order Rothko & Frost waterslide decals and noticed their website says they won't work on wipe-on poly (or maybe any poly). Anyone have advice on how to add a decal to the headstock in this situation? FYI, the builds are over two years old so the poly is pretty well set. Thanks!

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Private member
I think you would probably rub the decal off if you aren’t careful. I use a lot of wipe on poly, but have learned to use spray poly on the headstocks if there is a decal. I use Minwax fast-drying poly…
Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

Finish inside cavity?

Hey there folks - putting together a couple of StewMac ukulele kits and my partner asked a great question about whether to apply finish to the inside surfaces like we do the outside. We will be staining and applying wipe on poly for protection. The logic seems reasonable - protect from moisture inside and out. Only concern I could think of was trapping moisture between the layers but that was it. Anybody have experience with applying a…

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I do a light coat of Zinser spray shellac on the back and sides, mostly to keep it clean and make the wood pop a little bit. I don't do the top and I would suggest not doing it. It's going to add a…