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Finishing Bubinga
http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=28940		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  weslewis [ Mon Sep 06, 2010 10:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Finishing Bubinga
Close to finishing no 3 . Bubinga back and sides, engelmann spruce top , mahogany neck and maple binding ...My question is about finishing the bubinga...the first two were EIR so I used Zpoxy to fill the pores then sprayed zinnsser shellac followed by Em6000..worked well...the bubinga seems to be much denser and I was wanting to bring out the grain in the finish ...so I was thinking just one coat of z poxy then shellac then the laquer or possibly just the shellac then the laquer...... :?:
any advise would be appreciated..

thanks
Author:  Michael.N. [ Tue Sep 07, 2010 7:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Finishing Bubinga
Take an off cut of your Bubinga. Shellac one part and stick some oil varnish (anything will do) on another part. Do the side by side comparison.
Oil will be the victor!
Author:  TonyKarol [ Tue Sep 07, 2010 7:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Finishing Bubinga
The Zpoxy will pop the grain and add an amber tint .. then finish as usual. With the EM, you might still want to do the shellac ... nitro, not required.
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Tue Sep 07, 2010 7:32 am ]
Post subject:  Finishing Bubinga
Why would u put shellac on top of epoxy?
Author:  Fred Tellier [ Tue Sep 07, 2010 8:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Finishing Bubinga
I just finished a bubinga in April and used Z-poxy followed with a coat of blond shellac and the nitro lacquer and the grain shows real well. photos here http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=26984

Fred
Author:  TonyKarol [ Tue Sep 07, 2010 9:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Finishing Bubinga
Mike - Shellac on Zpoxy, before EM6000 ???... well .. I dont know how well the Em will adhere to the Zpoxy .. shellac becomes the binder layer. I know that nitro is fine straight onto Zpoxy ....
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Tue Sep 07, 2010 9:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Finishing Bubinga
It's why I asked. I did shellac, poxy, EM, no real issues. But if shellac increases bonding, I'm interested. But both shellac and poxy are unaffected by water... So was wondering if there really was utility in adding shellac on top of poxy.
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Tue Sep 07, 2010 9:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Finishing Bubinga
If shellac is a better binding surface, then how well does shellac bond to epoxy? I realize that I'm asking a question with implications since I used shellac first then epoxy. I find it hard to believe shellac reacts on the surface of epoxy chemically (cured) yet I realize we thin epoxy with alcohol! Very interesting subject... I hope that those of u in the know will chime in.

Also, using shellac to seal wood, then sanding back will expose wood fibers for the epoxy to adhere to.- Mike
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Tue Sep 07, 2010 9:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finishing Bubinga
The rule is that shellac will bond to nearly anything, including epoxy. Epoxy may or may not stick to shellac well.
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Tue Sep 07, 2010 9:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Finishing Bubinga
WaddyThomson wrote:
The rule is that shellac will bond to nearly anything, including epoxy. Epoxy may or may not stick to shellac well.


Thanks Waddy for the thumb rule. However, if I only use shellac to seal wood, then sand back, am I not minimizing adhesion issues?

One more thing, Tony, after applying shellac to epoxy, do I need to sand off just the nubs? Thus maintaining a contiguous coating of shellac?
Author:  weslewis [ Tue Sep 07, 2010 9:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finishing Bubinga
nice finish Fred !!...how may coats of zpoxy did you apply..Bubinga doesnt seem to be very porus..I like the Zpoxy ..I use to use this and simular resins laminating wing skins on R/C pattern and racing planes..so I am used to using this stuff...I love the Em 6000 ..easy to spray, dries quickly, and the best part is clean up!!
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Tue Sep 07, 2010 10:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Finishing Bubinga
Em 6000 is a great product for us "hobby" builders given the cost of explosion proof booths. We are all still searching for the correct spray schedule.
Author:  meddlingfool [ Wed Sep 08, 2010 12:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Finishing Bubinga
How hard does em6000 dry? I've done a few with ktm sv, which is very forgiving in application but does not dry very hard at all. You can push your thumbnail in it after months.
Author:  TonyKarol [ Wed Sep 08, 2010 9:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Finishing Bubinga
No reason you couldnt scuff it lightly Mike ... I would tend to use more of a french polish technique to put it on though ....
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