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Seeing that this thread seems to be winding down a bit, and I still haven't found a smoking gun, I'm looking ahead toward fixing the problem. Any suggestions would be most welcome.

I figure I should sand the surface to rough it up, treat with alcohol (though I don't know how much that will help adhesion after a month of curing), apply more coats, and level/sand/buff. And HOPE that the problem does not reoccur.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Pete another thought. Have you used this process using KTM-9 before? I don't wet sand or use any liquid buffing compounds when using waternornes. All dry. Just wondering if the finish could soften and distort during buffing because the water may have softened the finish? Just guessing here.

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Have you used this process using KTM-9 before?

Yes Bob, I've done way too many test swatches in this manner while perfecting the application procedure. Last night, in fact, I looked through all my test swatches which luckily I kept.

Not one exhibited this problem.

(sigh)

Sigh is right Pete. Wish I could be of more help. I really like KTM-9.

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

I had some issues with KTM-9 initally, but it was mostly operator error in A)not mixing my epoxy well enough and B)using shellac prior to the epoxy. Sanding down to bare wood and starting over was my course of action and it worked perfectly.
I have read and re-read this string and can only think that the adhesive epoxy may be at least one of the weak links in the chain. I can't imagine the adhesive aspect of it being the same as the finishing type. I used the system III clear coat and had Zero problems after I fixed my mix and stopped using it in conjunction with shellac.
Good luck.

-j.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

OK, I have read all of this a couple of times. Now I know that 9 sets up harder than the old 4 and you did dry this for a whole month. BUT.....

Back when I was still using KTM-4, during the buffing stage I once set a guitar back down on a terrycloth towel overnight. I got a physical imprint of the knap on the towel that gave most of the back an orange peel-like look.

Is there any possibility that you have a minor physical imprint from some of the ridges in the texture of the carpet? I know this is a wild long shot, but nothing else seems to be leading to an answer.

Grant

I have read and re-read this string

OK, I have read all of this a couple of times

Grant, J, and all of you - you guys amaze me sometimes! Anyone who has read this thread more than once deserves kudos. I truly appreciate your help, especially since I included so much painful-to-read detail at times.


I have read and re-read this string and can only think that the adhesive epoxy may be at least one of the weak links in the chain.

I can actually do a little test for this using a couple of test swatches I did to determine the compatibility between the ZPoxy adhesive version and KTM9. Those tests were for adhesion and visual result (passed). But, now I can go back and sand/buff the swatches and see if anything similar happens. If so, then it is most likely the epoxy, since that's the only variable that changed between this and other swatches which came out fine.

Is there any possibility that you have a minor physical imprint from some of the ridges in the texture of the carpet?

Of course. That's one of the first things I suspected. But I haven't been able to reproduce that effect as of yet. I'll be doing some more testing this weekend, which includes trying to "clean" up a portion of the back, re-buffing, seeing if the lines reappear without ever being placed on the carpet/sheet, and if they do not, purposely place them face down and see if that causes it.

Oh, isn't this sooooooo much fun????

NOT!

[QUOTE=j.Brown] I had some issues with KTM-9 initally, but it was mostly operator error in A)not mixing my epoxy well enough and B)using shellac prior to the epoxy. Sanding down to bare wood and starting over was my course of action and it worked perfectly.
I have read and re-read this string and can only think that the adhesive epoxy may be at least one of the weak links in the chain. I can't imagine the adhesive aspect of it being the same as the finishing type. I used the system III clear coat and had Zero problems after I fixed my mix and stopped using it in conjunction with shellac.
Good luck.

-j.
[/QUOTE]


Yep you cant put shllac under epoxy. stangly enough ther is no issue with epoxy under shellac. Thanfuly I learned this during test runs and not on an actual finish job.

Yeah, that's what I figured out. Shellac can be used on top of the cured epoxy, but not under it. Something to do with the shellac interfering with the curing of the epoxy and its adhesion to the wood. I originally used shellac and mahogany dust to pore fill my neck, then I epoxy'd over it. Didn't take.
That, along with my poor mixing on the System III on my first run made for a gummy mess for a week. It never did cure right. I had to go through LOTS of sandpaper to get rid of it. I did a complete mow down and started the whole thing again. It turned out pretty good after that. I really dig KTM-9. My next one will be a lot faster, for sure.

-j.

_________________
“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy