Ubeaut Update

[Bob Connor]

Met with Neil Ellis this morning.

He'll have a batch of the new improved Hard Shellac to me next Monday but I'll have to let it sit for a week before using it.

It'll have a plasticiser in it plus he's adding another additive that'll make it more suitable for brushing so that brush strokes will flow out easier.

He reckons that it will be an improvement for furniture applications as well so it'll be the standard formula from this point on.

Apparently when they first developed the product the plasticiser was discussed but at that point it was felt that it wasn't necessary (until us guitar building types decided that we want to use the stuff)

He agreed that it should be thinned 50/50 , 5 coats, sand, 5 coats finish sand and buff.

The first five coats could be hand sanded back after 2-3 days and then apply the next 5 coats. Then leave it as long as possible before final sand and buff (3-4 weeks)

Also suggested that a sealer coat of White Shellac 80/20 Meths/Hard Shellac be applied before the Hard Shellac.

I took some Z-poxy along with me to show him what a lot of builders were using and he didn't believe that it would cause problems.

He also agreed that too thick a coat could be the cause of cracks rather than the crazing.

I have a couple of instruments that Dave and I are keeping so we'll be spraying them with the new Shellac and see how it goes.

Bob

[Kim]

Onya Bob, thanks for the update.

Cheers

Kim

[Dave White]

It's great to have a link with supplier and user and thanks for the feedback Bob.

The frustrating thing with finishes is that product evolution and R&D takes a long time to test, evaluate and understand. You won't really know how the plasticisers work out for many months or years and there are so many combinations of product mix, application, interaction with different woods/fillers, environmental conditions etc etc. that small companies making finishes don't have the time or money to justify doing this properly - which they would have to do if they wanted to sell specialised guitar finishes. The only sensible option for them is to say that you use it with you taking the risk and consequences.

I suspect that's why if you are mainly selling with long warranties, builders go back to tried and trusted finishes or outsource finishing.

Either that or you create a "romance" feeling with players - like that old crazed nitro finish

[Craig]

Thanks for reporting back Bob. I'd call that a great result . It was very good of Neil to be so sympathetic to us guitar builders.

I know we all appreciate the leg work you put in here , and look forward to hearing how the new formula is working out. Thanks mate.


Cheers, Craig

[gratay]

this sounds very promising...especially for a noob like me.