Official Luthiers Forum!

Should i apply a coat of shellac to the top to protect It from walnut dust? Should I be concerned about this? Thanks

Ron M.

You can do it as it will also protect it from general soiling, and from the glue of the bindings, and the tape of the bindings and so on. And to avoid dust issues, avoid the sandpaper and use a sharp scraper as much as possible.

_________________
Build log

It never hurts

Thanks Alex and Michael. The top is a little dirty, will sanding remove it? I will apply some shellac ASAP. Thanks again for your help.

Ron M.

Sanding can actually work the contaminate oil and dust into the fiber. I would lightly scrape with a good sharp cabinet scraper

Thanks Michael.

Ron M.

Ron buddy if you are by chance going to use that dre*dful CA stuff.... for your binding shellac on the top is advisable to avoid having the CA stain the top. This is not an issue if you use Titebond, LMI white, or fish glue for your binding. In addition, if you are using tape with strong adhesive such as the brown binding tape or "strapping" tape shellac is also advisable and can be applied approx 2-3" from the edge of the guitar in. Using shellac with tape helps prevent the tape from lifting fibers.

In my experience when I do my final sanding with 220/240 and my Festool ES-125 ROS hooked up to a Festool CT-22 dust extractor any and all side wood dust and oil contamination is removed and the top is perfectly clean and dust free.

Thats good to know Hesh, thanks a bunch.

Can someone tell me how many coats of shellac is sufficent and the cut amount? Thanks.

Regards,
Ron M[

Thanks Filippo.

Ron M.

Ron -I hope you're doing your final sanding on the top last-after the rest of the guitar!

That's the best way to make sure that any dust -etc.
will be taken care of and there is no chance for more contamination!

Whew!
Sounds serious !

Mike

_________________
Mike Collins

Hi Mike,
Actually, i haven't really begun sanding the entire guitar yet. The contamination results from sanding the top and back flush to the sides (didn't trust using my router), however, the top has gotten pretty dirty. Thanks for the tip.

Ron M.

Flippo is right.
Just a lite coat will do.
2 lb. cut will suffice.

Usually dust does not invade the wood to deepl .
Unless it's a large particle that gets inbedded .

Leave your tops a few thousands thicker than you want so you can sand this dust off as the last thing before finishing.

Mike

_________________
Mike Collins

Thanks M That's good to hear Mike. I mixed a small batch of a 2lb cut of blond shellac last night that I will apply soon. Thanks for all your help, and thanks to everyone.

Ron M.