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I'm finishing up my 6th guitar. I've been through several finishes. Because I work out of my garage, I decided to use water based finishes. I tried KTM9 and didn't really like it. I have used CrystaLac satin on 2 guitars and was very pleased. I just finished my first gloss with CrystaLac.
I used their Super Premium which specifically is indicated as an instrument finish. From the CristaLac site-

[QUOTE]Our Super Premium Finish is an exceptional resin blend that offers superb hardness, optical clarity and mar resistance. Super Premium is especially recommended for “top” surfaces, such as tables, pianos and musical instruments. Super Premium is extremely resistant to moisture and alcohol. Use on any surface that demands a hard, tough finish. Super Premium is highly resistant to scratches and the indentations of heavy objects over long periods of time. Super Premium is self-sealing, low grain raising and dries rapidly.[/QUOTE]

Generaly, I treated it exactly as I would KTM9 as far as prep, schedule, drying time, thinning, spraying, leveling and polishing.

Bottom line - I really like this finish. It polishes very nice and looks great to me. It is easy to work with and dries fast. I was in a bit of a hurry ans was able to polish the headstock after 3 days. It is about 1/2 the price of KTM9.
I wish one of the sponsors here would start carrying it. I have only found it at McFeelys. I'll try to get some pictures up tonight.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Thanks for the review Steve. This may be a product I'm willing to try on #2
and 3. They recommend no filler, did you follow this?

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Christopher C. Cordle
North Muskegon, MI

http://www.yardsaleunderwear.com
http://www.facebook.com/christopher.cordle

Did you do any test pieces? In particular how is it for repair? When you sand back through the coats and re-finish does it leave ghost rings? What about drop fill of a spot stab with an awl. These are things that the KTM-9 seems to be improved on over their previous versions. Just wondering how the higher grade of the CrystaLac is in that regard.

Alan D.

[QUOTE=uncleshish] Thanks for the review Steve. This may be a product I'm willing to try on #2
and 3. They recommend no filler, did you follow this?[/QUOTE] I've used it on top of shellac and Zpoxy. I don't use a water based finish on bare wood because it will raise the grain.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

[QUOTE=dunwell] When you sand back through the coats and re-finish does it leave ghost rings? What about drop fill of a spot stab with an awl.[/QUOTE] This finish "burns into the previous layer. I saw no ghost lines. I drop filled a couple of spot without issue.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.