Polyester Finishing

[photoshopgeek]

Hey guys,

I searched for these questions, but if they're there, I apologize and a link for these questions will suffice.

What are the steps you use to finish with polyester. And what brand do you use? What kind of sprayer do you use?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[TDYooper]

Interesting question Ryan. The only place I used polyester is in wood boat work. Are you planning to use it on the body, or the neck, or both??? Is you project hollow body, or solid???

The poly I use is by Vel-Spar, and is for Marine use. I finish it Bright (glossy) for water run off, but using it on an instrument, the Bright would give it a ‘wet’ look under lights…

I can’t wait to see some of the other responses, and your finished project…

Good luck…

TDY

 

[photoshopgeek]

I guess everything. I'm just researching right now. I'm building a solid body neckthru.

I'm am having such a hard time deciding on my finish. I am comfortable finishing with lacquer. I've used it for years. The only problem is the durability. I've used a little poly-urethane and have considered that, and now I'm checking out polyester if only because some of the bigger names in building use it. (Alembic, Fender, and a few others...)

 

[TDYooper]

HHMmm I had know idea... Well, I'm going to be re-finishing my old NB-4 soon, maybe I should think about ploy !!!


TDY

 

[photoshopgeek]

It definitely a durable finish. Just don't know how much trouble it is... Did you spray your boat? I have an airless. Could I use it to spray polyester?

 

[Greenman]

Isn't Polyester a two part product that is mixed at the gun and a pretty high tech, high build application. A lot of store instruments have it as a finish. I know my Schector has it.

 

[photoshopgeek]

I think so. That's why it makes me nervous. I read somewhere that it drys in your gun in like 15 - 20 minutes. That would SUCK!!!

 

[gyancey]

I've done a couple instruments with polyester now and like it so far. Most woods require a polyurethane undercoat and I'm using a two-part polyurethane for that. I wouldn't recommend polyester unless you have a nice spraybooth and a supplied air hood. Cartridge respirators don't cut it. It dries very fast, fills the pores, and has a short cycle time between coats. I use an HVLP sprayer and catalyze in the cup and only shoot 2-3oz (which takes a little under 15 minutes). I'm using Duratec polyester. Here's one I sprayed yesterday. Two coats yesterday, total five coats with one sanding session after the first three and its ready to level and polish now.

 

[TDYooper]

No guns... We mix it ion the pots for a slow kick. Keeping it cool, like right out of the frig, slows it down too. We're working a bit larger area, usually 4 to 5 feet tall, and around 25 ft long, for hull worm , and we put it on with rollers, then squeegy it out. Smaller areas, we'll brush it on...

For something like a musical instrument, a gun would work much better, but sorry to say, I don't have any back ground there. Isn't this sprayed on one part at a time???

TDY