Thread: Any local equivalent to Colortone or KTM-9

Try some Ubeaut Hard Shellac. You'll be supporting the owner of this forum as well a getting a great durable finish.

It can be frenched polished or sprayed. I like to spray it on, because after making a guitar I'm sh*t out of patience for french polshing.

Using an unknown finish (at least unknown for musical instruments) has some risks involved. Will it be flexible enough not to craze under constant vibration? Or will it be a tone killer? Shellac has been used for years on guitars and is prefered by many. At least you'll know what you're getting.

Hi Paul.

I've used the Hard shellac on a number of necks, one of which I play everyday, and as a sort of sealing coat on the timber for the bodies dyed or otherwise, and on one I tinted the shellac as colour coats. I've found it very good!!

One of the reasons I was thinking of water based for the clear coating is that I don't want to go into the spray/gun/compressor/booth scenario & was thinking of buying a Wagner fine sprayer.

Since it's electric the use of Nitro, & ethanol based media would probably result in injury or death.

So the water based clears seem to be the simplest way to get the finish on reasonably efficiently.

(I've just padded two birdseye maple necks with Hard Shellac - one is georgeous, the other sublime ...despite all I've done to them)

I have had good results with wiped on Tru-oil. You can order from gun shops here in Oz. You don't need a sprayer, it goes on well, and shines up very nicely. Not water based though.

Peter

Tried the local products and they dont cut back as well as the colortone imho
havent used ktm but used a fair few tins of colortone and its a good finish
responds to dry sanding better than wet
looks like nitro i reckon
brilliant mirror finish

I'd be willing to try a waterbased finish if it could hold a mirrored shine like nitro.
I find nitro great, but the lungs don't like it much. (And that's fully respirated too)
I actually feel more comfortable with 2 pack auto than nitro.
Just can't keep the dust out as well at home.

What's the results over time with waterborne clears? Just wondering if it tends to dull back or excessive sinkback is evident.


cheers, Stu

I have little to no experience with finishing sorry, so

--- Begin thread hijack ---

I just had to say, that is one FANTASTIC looking Blueshawk look-a-like old_picker has there! I'm trying to CAD some drawings for a Nighthawk at the moment, which isn't easy since I don't have one as a guide, only pics. How did you make your template op?

--- End thread hijack ---

I used KTM on my first guitar. Its easy to put on and so far seems to be wearing ok. Many luthiers don't seem to like the stuff. One kiwi luthier I know has used one of Mirotones products and reckons its a feasible alternative to KTM. Not sure which product it is exactly...sorry.

Id definitely look at hard shellac as an alternative. Matthew the Bass Meister was recently FP'ing a bass with hard shellac.

Cheers Martin

stu
i got a guitar i just done in colortone if you want to looksee
pretty nice finish i reckon
average player couldnt pick the difference

I'll take you up on that, Ray.
Your workshop or mine, I'm not fussed either way.
You've seen one of my babies, now it's your turn to reciprocate


cheers, Stu

Here's a guitar finished with Ubeaut Hard Shellac.
Sprayed on undiluted, 2 coats.
Speaks for itself I reckon.

Cheers

Bob

Wow. Looks great So I had a look at Neil's site after seeing this. Is that hard shellac really as hard as polyurethane like his site mentions?

Compared to nitro, how hard is it?

Just as durable as Nitro with the added bonus that you can repair it invisibly. And a lot safer.

Cheers

Bob

After using the Hard Shellac,I wouldn't bother with anything else.

I F/P mine and that was a bit of a learning curve,but I am more than happy with the finish.

I contacted Neil before I started and he was full of good advise on what to do.

Great product.

Originally Posted by bob_connor

Here's a guitar finished with Ubeaut Hard Shellac.
Sprayed on undiluted, 2 coats.
Speaks for itself I reckon.

Cheers

Bob

Beautiful...but would it be safe to spray Hard Shellac in a Wagner electric airless sprayer?

That is really the nub of it for me at this stage.