Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi all.

I'm interested to know more about catalyzed polyurethan. I searched the forum but nothing came up (not sure I use the search engine correctly though...).

So what is the difference between catalyzed vs standard polyurethan and what are the advantages?

Thanks!

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Hi There,

This is a topic which has been covered here numerous times, and if you do a search you will find lots of info on it. Anyway, I will try to point you in the right direction:

-If you really want to know almost all there is about wood finishing, take a look at this book:

http://www.amazon.com/UNDERSTANDING-WOO ... 726&sr=8-2

It is considered by many to be the "bible" on wood finishing...now to your question:

A catalyzed "anything" not just urethane, requires a "catalyst" before it is applied. This is like mixing epoxy with part A and part B, as an example. The catalyst will chemically react with the solution, you spray it, then it will dry. These have the advantage of usually being tougher (although people argue this) than a traditional finish, as well as the time required to cure is usually hours, as compared to days or even months with other finishes. You also need to use the "batch" you create, since if you store it, it will harden (unlike lacquer, where you can store in an air tight container until you use it, since it is an "evaporative" finish).

Now with this said, it is also a "hard" finish to apply, since if you make mistakes, it is usually not forgiving. Most are also TOXIC and VERY dangerous to your health! To use these finishes you would need the proper spray and PROTECTION equipment...

Anyway, I can write a book here, but I figured these will get you started....

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-CyborgCNC
http://www.cncguitar.com
https://www.facebook.com/CncGuitar

Here you go Alain - this link is to a great thread that we had last year. http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=13299&p=188481&hilit=+Poly#p188481

Thanks guys.

I don't know what I'm dooing wrong with the forum's search engine, but I can rarely get anything out of it!

I'll need to work on that...

Thanks again!

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Alain, I used to have the same problems and I thought the search engine sucked. Then I learned you have to use quotation marks. So it turned out I was the one doing the sucking...

Try 'catalyzed polyurethane'. You should get better hits.

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Thanks Alain!

It does work better with quotes!

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

That thread was on polyester, not polyurethane.

Yes, I noticed. Very informative anyway.

There are some mentions of polyurethane though.

_________________
Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Oy...

Decide what you want to use, and study -that-. Don't confuse yourself further....