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Hello,

Can anyone share their finishing schedule for Koa soundboards?

I've read a few posts in the archives and other forums concerning final sand grit before finish, pore fill/not to pore fill, Z-poxy, shellac, various sealers, etc...

As with many proceses, there are several opinions, so I'm am looking for one that people have used and found to be effective.

Thank you,

Ray

_________________
Guitar Building = Continuous Improvement Process

Koa needs filling if you want a smooth finish. The pores do not always appear to be much but like mahogany get finish on them and they are creators. I use Zpoxy on my Koa tops. I know some use shellac and wood dust. I use CA now for most filling but have not tried it on a Koa top as of yet.

My schedule is

Sand to 150p, pore fill with Zpoxy, sand back to wood leaving the Zpoxy in the pores only. Light wash coat of 60% alcohol/40% Zpoxy to even the color light sand with 320p just to give a tooth. Seal with 2 coats 1# cut of shellac. 2-3 top coats a day of whatever finish if spraying sanding level after 4th and 6th coats and 2-3 final coats and rub out after appropriate cure time.

[quote="MichaelP"]

My schedule is

quote]

I need to add somthing I left off

Sand to 150p, pore fill with Zpoxy, sand back to wood with 220p leaving the Zpoxy in the pores only. Light wash coat of 60% alcohol/40% Zpoxy to even the color light sand with 320p just to give a tooth. Seal with 2 coats 1# cut of shellac. 2-3 top coats a day of whatever finish if spraying sanding level after 4th and 6th coats and 2-3 final coats and rub out after appropriate cure time.

My final prep sanding on all parts of the body is 220p this is done prior the the wash coat of Zpoxy but after pore filling is complete. The 320p sanding after the wash coat of Zpoxy is very light and only to knock dowl any minor riding and give a light tooth to the wash coat of zpoxy

Thank You Michael.

Very informative and I will certainly be referenceing the information during the process.

Take Care,

Ray

_________________
Guitar Building = Continuous Improvement Process