Official Luthiers Forum!
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/

ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=30165
Page 1 of 1

Author:  Pat Hawley [ Wed Dec 01, 2010 12:32 pm ]
Post subject:  ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

I came across a video showing what is a apparently a new, UV cured varnish system that has no VOCs. At first glance, it looks too good to be true. Here is a link:

http://varnishmarine.com/

Does anyone have any experience or know about this stuff? Would it be good for instruments?

Pat

Author:  Darryl Young [ Wed Dec 01, 2010 1:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

Wow, looks interesting. UV lamp prices were very high.

Author:  Elman Concepcion [ Wed Dec 01, 2010 3:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

That looks really interesting.

Author:  woody b [ Wed Dec 01, 2010 7:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

Those hand held UV light scare me. My fear is even with the proper safety equipment some UV rays get to the user. I won't publicly voice any more of my UV safety concerns, but feel free to PM or E mail me if you'd like to hear what my fears are based on.

Even without my fears I don't think UV cured finishes are necessary unless you're finishing a BUNCH of guitar. If I was doing that I'd build a cabinet.

Author:  lespaul123 [ Wed Dec 01, 2010 8:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

You know I was reading about this stuff recently also, I wonder if you could fabricate a UV light to cure the finish. Does anyone know what this stuff costs per gallon?

Author:  theguitarwhisperer [ Wed Dec 01, 2010 10:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

.07 to .13 cents per gallon. if one gallon covers 1608 square feet (the only spec I could find was on the super hard topcoat) that's a minimum of $112 per gallon.

Author:  Pat Hawley [ Thu Dec 02, 2010 8:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

I was wondering about the UV light requirements as well. I don't really need the 2 second cure time. It was the other features of the finish that are of most interest to me, i.e. no VOCs, adhesion, hardness etc.

Pat

Author:  Colin North [ Thu Dec 02, 2010 9:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

Pat Hawley wrote:
I was wondering about the UV light requirements as well. I don't really need the 2 second cure time. It was the other features of the finish that are of most interest to me, i.e. no VOCs, adhesion, hardness etc.

Pat

I wonder if a less intense UV source would just take a bit longer to cure, and could be potentially much cheaper?
I was very impressed, especially with the hammer test! wow7-eyes

Author:  Mark Groza [ Thu Dec 02, 2010 10:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

Looks very durable and shiny. I would be concerned about the thickness and it's effect on sound transferance. With that said, it would speed up the finishing process a lot which is a plus.

Author:  woody b [ Thu Dec 02, 2010 11:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

Mark Groza wrote:
Looks very durable and shiny. I would be concerned about the thickness and it's effect on sound transferance. With that said, it would speed up the finishing process a lot which is a plus.


I wonder what the resin actually is. It's properties, except for the UV blocking look similar to polyester.

Author:  Andy Birko [ Thu Dec 02, 2010 8:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

Mark Groza wrote:
I would be concerned about the thickness and it's effect on sound transferance.


Thickness is almost certainly a non-issue. 3 mils or less is recommended. I also found this on their page: http://www.admiraltymarinecoatings.com/ ... t/uhc.html

Which is supposed to be ultra hard and goes on at 1mil. If that's all they say it is with a good surface prep you could probably use that as a lone finish of 1mil thick.

This does sound like an uber cool product. They do have a contact me page - perhaps someone with an almost finished guitar can contact them and get them to send a sample out as well as a loaner U/V lamp. The pitch would be "I'm on a forum with 100 other luthiers and if your stuff works, you'd have yet another market"

As mentioned, the only rub is the cost of that UV lamp.

Author:  Pat Hawley [ Thu Dec 02, 2010 9:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

I did send an inquiry to Admiralty a couple of days ago and got this response from Mr. Graham Duncan this evening:

"HI Pat:

Thanks for your interest in our products... I just read the luthiers forum and may respond there also.

The benefit of UV cured coatings is elimination of cure time, produce a very tough coating and contribute zero VOCs to the atmosphere.

This technology has been used for decades in factories where the high speed cure process can be precisely controlled, it is now being introduced to the smaller producers with the advent of hand held UV lights.

Typically our coatings are applied by brush, roller, spray or dip in a clean environment and UV cured.

We provide Gloss, Satin and Matte finishes... Gloss is usually at the 94% level.

If an clean environment is not available, then using the Gloss finish and after cure a light sand with a 2,000 or higher grit provides a perfect satin finish.

The major issue for a small company is the UV Light expense but it is a critical element in the proper full cure of a coating at the wood interface (adhesion), the body of the layer (toughness) and the surface layer (hardness).

This takes high energy levels at three different UV wavelengths (UV a, b & c) and some UV lights will not quite do it.

If you have any questions please contact me.

Best regards,

Graham

619. 207. 7778
http://www.admiraltymarinecoatings.com
"Our Solution Stops Pollution""


I assume Mr Duncan means this forum and wouldn't be surprised if he answered directly as I've noticed him join in a couple of other [boat] forums.

Looks like there are no half measures with respect to the light. Still, even with the cost of the light, the total is less than what can be spent on some of the more expensive tools. And if it works as advertised it could be worth it even for smaller shops.

Pat

Author:  muthrs [ Thu Dec 02, 2010 10:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

Am I missing something here? All UV or post-catalyzed polyester finishes are 90-100% solids. Nothing new here. From a health safety standpoint it is still nasty stuff, but yes, spraying polyester is better for the environment due to the low VOCs.

Author:  CaptGraham [ Tue Dec 14, 2010 11:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

Thank you Pat for bringing the information I emailed you to this forum.

I would like to suggest that interested members provide me with some samples (scrap) of wood that are ready for coating.

We will coat them in several types of product and return them for your evaluation... including the process information.

Your evaluation of the coated samples could then be shared with all interested participants of this forum.

Best regards, Graham

619 207 7778

Author:  jmanter [ Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

Has anyone taken Graham up on this offer yet? I have some off cuts I could sand out and send. I'm definitely curious about this... - Justin

Author:  Pat Hawley [ Sun Dec 19, 2010 9:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

I called Graham and told him I would be sending him some wood. I'm going to gather some up today to mail out tomorrow. I don't think he'd mind getting some from more than one person.

Pat

Author:  CaptGraham [ Tue Dec 21, 2010 2:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

Anyone wishing to send varnish ready (small) wood samples for us to coat and return are welcome to mail them to:

Admiralty Coatings Inc.
23520 Telo Ave., Bldg #8
Torrance, CA 90505
619 207 7778

Best regards,

Graham

Author:  CaptGraham [ Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

Hi Pat:

Received your samples yesterday, thank you... we will be coating them in the next few days and return them for your evaluation.

Best regards,

Graham

Author:  Pat Hawley [ Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

Thanks, looking forward to it Graham.

Pat

Author:  CaptGraham [ Wed Feb 09, 2011 6:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

Hi Pat:

I sent the samples to you about a week ago... I look forward to your comments and questions.

Best regards,

Graham

619 207 7778

Author:  Pat Hawley [ Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ADMIRALTY VARNISH SYSTEM

Thanks Graham,
I haven't got them yet. I'll let you know when I do and also I'll be posting pictures here.
Pat

Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/