Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi All,

Have any of you tried out the new water based Deft and, if so, how does it compare to the other water based products that are out there (e.g. KTM-9 or Target Coatings)?

Thanks,
Pat

_________________
There are three kinds of people:

Those that make things happen,
those that watch things happen,
and those that wondered what happened.

In the list of ingredients do you see a line that says: "Wishful Thinking, 51%" If not, then they should be chided for not revealing what's in the stuff...

Rick,
You're probably right but I can't help asking. "Hope springs eternal...."
Pat

_________________
There are three kinds of people:

Those that make things happen,
those that watch things happen,
and those that wondered what happened.

My other admittedly jive-ass comment about water based finishes for guitars is, "When Bob Taylor switches to it, I'll believe it..." So far there is nothing about water base finishes that appeals to me. I'd rather brush varnish or do French polish over epoxy pore fill for a low tech, no spray booth finish, and if I had access to a booth I'd do exactly what I am doing...shooting polyester.

Are coversion varnishes like Krystal from ml cambell or automotive urethanes such as house of kolor or dupont a good alternative to polyester?

Polyester is about the only thing i dont have experience in spraying.

After working with water based finishes for 2 years at a funiture refinishing and repair shop I would have to agree with Rick.

Chewy

 

I have to admit to being baffled as to why anyone would not want to use finishes developed specifically for guitars. What's with all the this and that and automotive finishes here and there?   McFadden has formulated a variety of finishes specifically for our industry.   I use them. They work great.   

I know nothing about Defts Waterborne. Is it an acrylic lacquer?

Now I do know a lot about the possible outcome of KTM9. I have used it since it came on the market. Those that want all the nitrocellulose attributes from an waterborne Acrylic lacquer will always be disappointed. But if you need a durable clear easy to use finish without the chemical hazards of a solvent based lacquer then in my book KTM9 is a great product.

I use it on more than 50% of my guitars with no complaints.

Is it as hard as nitro?
Well my ding testing showed it to be with in 80% affective at repelling minor dings as nitro. (controlled BB drop testing)

is it as clear as nitro?
I will put one of my KTM9 guitars next to one of my nitro guitars and unless you are trained well it is very hard to tell the difference visually.

Is it as easy to repair as nitro?
I have had no problems wit repairs.

Noes it cure with the typical Blue tint that waterborne are known for?
I do not see blue at all unless it is applied way too thick.

Now all of this is subject to finish application experience with the product.

But then again there are so many that want to defame it just because it is a waterborne or does not exhibit all the nitrocellulose characteristics, It must be a worthless product and I must be out of my ever loving mind for using it.


By the way for those of you that don't know I love French polish and think it is probably my favorite finish and I highly recommend FP for a first time finish. But none the less I do recommend KTM9 as a viable finish.

I guess it would have made better since to ask what name brand of polyester you use Rick.

I was not aware of McFadden's complete line of finishing products.  I just got off there website and it is a good thing to know.   Thank you

Chewy