Official Luthiers Forum!

Are there very many Forumites using these products? How are they to apply? Are you satisfied with the finished product. I used KTM4 on a guitar but did not like that it didn't burn in. I have ordered this product to finish an OM I will soon be putting together. I know that nitro-cellulose works well but what a smell(hard on the brain).
Has anyone used the silica powder mixed with the epoxy?? How's the application process?? Any pointers or tips. I know LMI has a small blurb on website. Thought I would try and get first hand explanations. Appreciate any thoughts or comments.

This is pretty much the bible on this finish
      http://www.doolinguitars.com/waterborne/instructions.html

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

[QUOTE=Ron Priest] Are there very many Forumites using these products? How are they to apply? Are you satisfied with the finished product. I used KTM4 on a guitar but did not like that it didn't burn in. I have ordered this product to finish an OM I will soon be putting together. I know that nitro-cellulose works well but what a smell(hard on the brain).
Has anyone used the silica powder mixed with the epoxy?? How's the application process?? Any pointers or tips. I know LMI has a small blurb on website. Thought I would try and get first hand explanations. Appreciate any thoughts or comments.[/QUOTE]
I think you will like KTM9 I can find no fault with it. In answer to the second question, I have used silaca beads with zpoxy but in my opinion it is not needed for a good fill on even the most open grained woods. And bye the way, Zpoxy really makes the wood pop under finish.

Thanks Mike and John. I've read the Doolin commentary on KTM(very informative). I will have to try some test pieces when I have a spare moment. And who knows when that will be. Keep smiling.

Ron I have used both. The Z-Poxy works great as a filler and grain popper, sands easy. I didn't use the silica filler. KTM-9 worked great for me. Some say it doesn't dry hard but I didn't find that at all. As a matter of fact I waited about a month before buffing because I was busy on some other project and it was harder to buff out than PSL that I had used before. I am going to try Target Coatings new product that Mario did extensive testing on. He likes it and thats good enough for me.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
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I'm with Bob, if Mario likes it, good enough for me. As far as adding to get the satin finish. Check and see if they sell KTM as a satin finish. Some brands offer both gloss and satin. It is no uncommon for many folks to finish the body and headstock with gloss and finish the neck with satin. Good luck with your finish, I plan to try zpoxy in the near future.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

You can also compare prices of KTM9 vs Oxford 9000 and the 9000 is a better bang for the buck. Although McFaddens beats both of them

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

What is the cure time on KTM9. I seem to remember Lance saying it was 4-6 weeks to get it really hard? I am looking to switch from FP just to get away from that long cure ( if it's Possible).

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Dave, you can buff in 1-2 weeks, though I feel it gets harder as it ages.