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what clear coat is the best to use on guitar body


GOG427

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There are pros and cons for everything. My own experience so far has involved spar urethane, polyurethane and automotive clear laquer. So far I favor the laquer over poly because it dries quicker and you can apply more coats in less time. However, laquer is more toxic and requires proper safety equipment when applying. Polyurethane is a long chain molecule and, as a result, its VERY hard when cured fully. Furniture makers don't like poly because of its hardness and inflexibility. When applied over wood joints it will crack rather than flex when joints expand/contract. I have experienced this first hand on one of my guitars.

If you are worried about yellowing in the future, spar urethane (used in marine applications) has UV protection.

The urethanes are less forgiving than laquer if you make any mistakes when wetsanding. I've broken through in a few areas and marred the stain job underneath. With laquer I got good results at restaining those spots and reapplying laquer. The laquer patching blended right in with the surrounding finish. Patched poly shows up as a well defined layer with edges that look like contour lines on a map. No matter how much you sand it will not go away. The patch will just get smaller and you will eventually wind up back where you started...bare wood. Believe me, I've tried. So you gotta get poly right the first time.

Regardless of what I'm using, I like applying LOTS of clear finish so I won't end up with any sanding problems later on. Avoid rough grits on your corners, you will break thru in no time flat. I prefer rigid sanding blocks on flat surfaces and foam blocks on the curves.

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I prefer automotive catalyzed poly(urethane). It's ultra high gloss when buffed and very durable. It has to be or would'nt be on show cars and bikes. Very toxic but just a deep gloss and shine. You'll need to sand and buff though. Here's some I painted using auto poly. (JV Strat is stock paint, Musicmaster bass was cleared with lacquer and is really chipping badly..but I like it.)

http://community.webshots.com/album/70925377mhiCkf/0

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