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I'm finishing a guitar with z-poxy for the filler/sealer, and will top it with nitro. This is my first time using z-poxy. For those who use z-poxy with nitro, do you prefer to use a layer of shellac between the z-poxy and the lacquer, and why/why not? (I have left a film of z-poxy on the surface, and not sanded the z-poxy back to wood, because I really like the hue and pop it gave to the EIR I'm using.)

Thanks.

Kelby,

If you are cautious and risk averse then put a shellac coat on the Z-poxy before applying the nitro. This is on the basis that pretty much everything sticks to shellac - the shellac sticks to the Z-poxy and the nitro to the shellac.

If you like risks then go with the nitro directly onto the Z-poxy. It's going to depend on the nitro you are using but there could (I say could) be adhesion issues, and just to be interesting (as most things in guitar making are ) these adhesion issues may not surface for a year or so down the line.

Best bet is to check with the manufacturer of the nitro.

I have read in various places that you should never put shellac under Z-poxy as the Z-poxy doesn't stick to shellac but shellac will stick to Z-poxy that is on wood (interesting one). I have never tested this out so can't confirm or deny this one.

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Aha! I asked this exact question this week to a guy who is going to "teach" me to finish with nitro...and he said there was no adhesion issues between zpoxy and nitro.

Hmmm....I'll be watching this thread closely. Perfect timing.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

Why not just put shellac over the Z-poxy and leave it at that. That would be (and is) my choice.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

If your unsure or worried the lacq. won't stick to the epoxy, why not lay a coat of vynal sealer between the two? Does that make sense? I'm about to spray over zpoxy, and wonder if this is a good idea.