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  • Looking for the right top coat

    Posted by Sam Harrison Harcom Guitars on May 6, 2024 at 11:25 pm

    Just joined the group and I have a question about finishing.

    I am looking for a good 2k polyurethane top coat that cures really as hard as possible. I had good luck with Nason brand finish a few years ago but since covid I have had a really hard time getting it. I am currently using shop line brand clear from my local paint store but it really doesn’t cure as hard as it needs to for a good durable finish. There have also been some adhesion issues especially on the edge of the fretboard causing flaking when doing my fret ends. I have used nitro in the past and don’t really see a place for it on newly built guitars.

    Any suggestions are much appreciated.

    My finish workflow:

    -simtec 28×50 sanding sealer

    -sanded level with 320

    -paint if solid color

    -top coat

    -wet sand to 2000

    -cut, buff, polish

  • 2 Replies
  • Michael Bashkin Bashkin Guitars

    Member
    May 7, 2024 at 11:33 am

    Hi Samuel: I don’t use poly but I would search for finishing info by Jeff Jewitt on the loothgroup or check out his finishing courses on Robbir Obrien’s website. Jeff uses a poly finish that I think is from Italy. I don’t know if it is harder or has better adhesion than the Simtec but it is worth looking into. You might also looking into Cardinal poly finishes. For a time I used thier UV cured poly and it was very hard.

  • Jeff Jewitt Jewitt Guitars/Homestead Finishing

    Member
    May 7, 2024 at 1:22 pm

    I use Ilva Hi-Solids 2K topcoat. Product # TP-60 with their isocyanate hardener and thinner. Its around 50% solids. I use it over their polyester sealer which I’m sure is similar to Simtech. I like the Ilva sealer the best. Use my name if you want.

    https://www.ics-ilva.com/

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