Official Luthiers Forum!

Perusing the archives I’ve read a lot on the merits of using Z-poxy as a pore filler and a suggestion by Michael Payne to use it to “pop” the figure on quilted maple.

From your experience which works better to pop the figure, Z-poxy or Shellac? The guitar will be sprayed with clear nitrocellulose lacquer (i.e. no tinting).

Lastly, if you recommend Z-poxy I’d appreciate any info on suggested application.

Thanking you in advance.

Anthony

Anthony, I was always under the assumption that maple didn't need any pore filler. If you put Z-poxy/System Three on there, wouldn't you have to sand back to the wood anyways to level the surface, thus negating having applied any in the first place?

I would go with Shellac, natures sticky sealer 'par excellence'... Also, I remember reading that you have to use 100% dewaxed shellac if you want the Nitro to adhere to it.

Then again, take this for what it's worth, musings from a newbie! Alain Desforges39013.5043171296

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

I believe the thread that I mentioned how Zpoxy popped the quilted maple was in regard to a 3 piece back Sapele/Maple/Sapele that I did on The SJ Thinline. I had to pore fill the Sapele so I just covered the entire back with zpoxy. If you do not have another wood that needs pore filling I would use only shellac because of possible adhesion issues some claim to have with some finishes. Frankly I have had none. If the shellac you use has some amber in it I think the pop results would be the same.MichaelP39013.5300231481

anthony, I can't say which is better since I never tried shelac, but heres a shot of a maple dulcimer which has system3 under KTM-9. the epozy was applied very lightly, just enought to wet the surface. then I went over it with a cloth damped with DA in fp style. Very little sanding required. The maple was a find at lowes..


Overall I think shelac may be easier, but I have not tryed it..

ok, take that back.. I just did, a piece of scrap with 1 lb cut of zinnser seal coat which is 50% blonde and 50% clear.
thats before.. not a ton of figure.. maybe why it was scrap   


after,,, in my mind, for this test only the epoxy gives it a wetter deeper look.. I think the epoxy gave it more of the amber color too. HTH
Mike