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Based solely on Mario's recommendation some months ago, I bought a quart of the glossy stuff and recently used it for the first time. Here's an account of what I did and what I learned so far. I rarely have an opportunity to contribute anything of technical value here so I was hoping to add some knowledge to the pool. It's only a start with more info to come later.

1) The surfaces (IRW and mahogany) were pore filled several times and leveled with Z-Poxy and final sanded to 320 grit. The Adirondack top was sealed with shellac sealer and sanded smooth.

2) The Target Oxford 9000 material looks milky white before and after stirring. This concerned me at first until I did a test spread on glass...it cures out clear, but not as hard as nitro...at least not after 24 hours.

3) I sprayed full strength in a cheap HVLP system that I bought from Rockler for $100. I used the smaller nozzle. It sprays nicely but lays out with a bit of orange peel. I waited a few hours, scuff-sanded and repeated spraying. Still orangy but no runs. It was a fairly thick coating by now.

4)After 3 weeks, I level sanded the orange peel surface with 320 grit on a ROS and by hand and sprayed 2 more coats...still not real smooth.

5) After 5 days, I level sanded with 400 grit and began the wet sanding process by hand. Now it became real smooth.

6) Wet sand with 400, 600, 1000, 2000 conventional grits, then MicroMesh sand from 4,000 through 12,000. It looks ok but not as reflective as nitro at the same stage. I looked at it under various lighting conditions and can see no bluish tint...it is as clear as I expected it should be.

I plan to buff out using Menzerna gradeson the wheels in 3 weeks when I return home. Hopefully it will achieve that 3 dimensional depth of shine. I'm also hoping the extra time will find it harder.

The material is a joy to work with...no fumes and it cleans up so easily with water. It is noticeably softer than nitro (possibly as it adsorbs water in the wet sanding process).

It's just a lot different feel than Nitro and will take some experience to figure it out. Any comments or questions are welcome.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

JJ, are these the Parlor pair or just some test peices?

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

I have not use an HVPL system but with a std compressor driven spray system Orange peel is a sign of inadequate atomization. Several things can cause it. From clogged nozzle to air volume. I use KTM-9 it may not be as hard as Nitro but cures hard enough and polishes to a great luster. I would assume the Oxford will do as well.

JJ:
I tried it too on a back of a cherry guitar. The sides and top were sprayed with nitro so this gave me a good comparison but as Mario pointed out I should not compare the two ... but it's just so hard not to.

I initially wet sanded and buffed it after a 7 day wait and it was still too soft and rubbery. I had a total of 4 coats on it. After two weeks I was able to buff it. I didn't have any problems with burn through but the finish doesn't burnish like nitro so it is quite different. I had to progress through 3 grits of Menzurna to achieve an acceptable gloss. After examining the finsh under a high powered 10X magnifier the surface appears porous unlike a glass-smooth sealed surface of nitro. I suspect the porosity refracts instead of reflects the light hence the different appearance. The average guy would not notice a difference as they are both "shiny" but nitro still has my heart.

I do like the low odor of the 9000. No off gassing fumes to be concerned with either which is a definite health advantage.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

John...This is on #2...the 000 12 Fret. I'm still unsure as to what I'm going to finish the parlors with.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com