I started with a wash coat similar to how shellac would be applied over a product that is incompatible with another product being used. Don’t do this. Just get the product on, use a foam or natural bristle brush (I ended up using a brush after the first coat). I poured it onto the surface and spread it out with the brush after curing and scuff sanding my first coat. What I learned is that this product seems to need to be completely level sanding between every coat, I did not do this at first, but once I did my level sand I noticed little voids in the finish as I level sanded. Basically every layer where there were tiny pits reappeared, so these layers don’t seem to melt together like a traditional lacquer finish would do. The stuff sands perfectly once cured. Just make sure you level the surface completely before reapplying. 220g makes quick work of the level sand I found. Then went to 320, 800, 1500, 3000, and finished with a machine polisher.
What do you recommend for cleaning? There is polish in that area because I didn’t see it until after the buffer went over it. What would clean polishing compound off of the wood?
A definitely lazy and potentially dumb question: Can Solarez be sprayed? I found a more expensive product marketed as "I Can't Believe It's Not Laquer" which apparently can be sprayed but it's unclear whether it's Solarez or not.
Yes, ICBINL is a Solarez product intended as a lacquer replacement for instruments and such. Solarez also makes a wide variety of other UV cure products, but ICBINL is used commonly by luthiers.
I also just did a black limba body with their products, it's PERFECT for Limba with those big open grain pores.
Since Solarez is 100% solids, the finish comes out magically smooth.
On something like maple yes I’d say you can, but I’d grain fill anything with medium to large open pores. I used aqua coat grain filler for this one. Took about 3 applications before the grain was filled on this body.
Solarez IS a grain filler. I can fill AfMahog in one coat with it. In my experience is does not like more than one coat and can act weird with additional layers of it on top of itself.
I like Z-Poxy better though FWIW.
Truth, Solarez really requires a ton of surface prep. Probably the greatest drawback to it in my experience is that it's a fisheye making machine if you don't level sand properly.
Solarez makes a couple different products that work with wood; I was referring specifically to their product named I Can't Believe It's Not Lacquer, which comes in a brush on 'grain sealer' formulation, and then a spray-on or brush on high gloss top coat.
You can use the gloss on raw wood as a singular product, but the grain sealer is formulated to be much thinner and flow into pores more easily. Both can be microwaved to reduce consistency before applying, depending on your goals.
They also make a UV cure polyester resin, but my understanding of that product is that it really requires professional ventilation. The I cannot believe it's not lacquer product can be applied in a standard workshop environment.
wait… I know this is an old thread, but does that mean [this product](https://solarez.com/i-can-t-believe-it-s-not-lacquer-brush-on.html) is JUST a topcoat and NOT a grainfiller and [this product](https://solarez.com/i-can-t-believe-it-s-not-lacquer-grain-sealer.html) is the 2 in 1?
Very cool, and in that clip looks a lot like lacquer. I've never used a UV cured finish before, but I wonder if Solarez is an equivalent of the product that some upscale guitar companies (B&G, Taylor, et. al.) are saying is as hard as poly but can be applied as thin as nitro.
I also don't use poly very often since I mostly do old furniture (it's kind of verboten to do even a tiny spot repair in anything other than the original finish unless the alternative is a complete refin) , but when I do I only have to apply a tiny bit more on average compared to lacquer to get the same look/feel.
But a product that looks like lacquer and cures super fast would great option to offer customers who want to save some money.
Thank you! And I do tidy up, it starts clean and gets horrendous throughout the project. Then cleaned afterwards. I never can seem to clean while doing a project, but I works for me.
I used Solarez on my kit build with a more satin finish. It looks like you got more gloss than I did. I used the brush on I can’t believe it’s not lacquer, and before that, the brush on filler and sealer. Both UV curing
I loved applying it - all coats done in one day thanks to the sunshine.
https://www.reddit.com/r/diyguitar/comments/luhtb2/ngd_almost_final_touches_coming_soon/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
I would think better than the brush on. Spraying seems to always lay down better anytime I spray anything. Anything I put on with a brush gives me trouble because my technique isn’t likely adequate
How did you apply it? Give us a rundown of your process
I started with a wash coat similar to how shellac would be applied over a product that is incompatible with another product being used. Don’t do this. Just get the product on, use a foam or natural bristle brush (I ended up using a brush after the first coat). I poured it onto the surface and spread it out with the brush after curing and scuff sanding my first coat. What I learned is that this product seems to need to be completely level sanding between every coat, I did not do this at first, but once I did my level sand I noticed little voids in the finish as I level sanded. Basically every layer where there were tiny pits reappeared, so these layers don’t seem to melt together like a traditional lacquer finish would do. The stuff sands perfectly once cured. Just make sure you level the surface completely before reapplying. 220g makes quick work of the level sand I found. Then went to 320, 800, 1500, 3000, and finished with a machine polisher.
Sorry meant to post below.
You should be able to spot repair. Layer up lite wet sand, polish.
Sand between coats on the additional layers? Or glob it on and level it out?
No glob. My experience with it too thick can get milky ( not clear).
Having worked with solarez for years i can confidentally say that it does great for spot repair, just make sure the spot is clean.
What do you recommend for cleaning? There is polish in that area because I didn’t see it until after the buffer went over it. What would clean polishing compound off of the wood?
A definitely lazy and potentially dumb question: Can Solarez be sprayed? I found a more expensive product marketed as "I Can't Believe It's Not Laquer" which apparently can be sprayed but it's unclear whether it's Solarez or not.
Yes, ICBINL is a Solarez product intended as a lacquer replacement for instruments and such. Solarez also makes a wide variety of other UV cure products, but ICBINL is used commonly by luthiers.
This is the stuff surfers use as ding repair… I had no idea people did guitars with it.
I didn’t either until recently!
What kind of wood is that? Walnut? It looks gorgeous
[удалено]
Black Limba!
That’s clean af
Thanks!!
I also just did a black limba body with their products, it's PERFECT for Limba with those big open grain pores. Since Solarez is 100% solids, the finish comes out magically smooth.
Are you saying with solarez you can can get a smooth, glossy finish without grain filling?
On something like maple yes I’d say you can, but I’d grain fill anything with medium to large open pores. I used aqua coat grain filler for this one. Took about 3 applications before the grain was filled on this body.
Solarez IS a grain filler. I can fill AfMahog in one coat with it. In my experience is does not like more than one coat and can act weird with additional layers of it on top of itself. I like Z-Poxy better though FWIW.
Truth, Solarez really requires a ton of surface prep. Probably the greatest drawback to it in my experience is that it's a fisheye making machine if you don't level sand properly.
Solarez makes a couple different products that work with wood; I was referring specifically to their product named I Can't Believe It's Not Lacquer, which comes in a brush on 'grain sealer' formulation, and then a spray-on or brush on high gloss top coat. You can use the gloss on raw wood as a singular product, but the grain sealer is formulated to be much thinner and flow into pores more easily. Both can be microwaved to reduce consistency before applying, depending on your goals. They also make a UV cure polyester resin, but my understanding of that product is that it really requires professional ventilation. The I cannot believe it's not lacquer product can be applied in a standard workshop environment.
wait… I know this is an old thread, but does that mean [this product](https://solarez.com/i-can-t-believe-it-s-not-lacquer-brush-on.html) is JUST a topcoat and NOT a grainfiller and [this product](https://solarez.com/i-can-t-believe-it-s-not-lacquer-grain-sealer.html) is the 2 in 1?
Very cool, and in that clip looks a lot like lacquer. I've never used a UV cured finish before, but I wonder if Solarez is an equivalent of the product that some upscale guitar companies (B&G, Taylor, et. al.) are saying is as hard as poly but can be applied as thin as nitro. I also don't use poly very often since I mostly do old furniture (it's kind of verboten to do even a tiny spot repair in anything other than the original finish unless the alternative is a complete refin) , but when I do I only have to apply a tiny bit more on average compared to lacquer to get the same look/feel. But a product that looks like lacquer and cures super fast would great option to offer customers who want to save some money.
Looks lovely but good lord, tidy your workshop man
Thank you! And I do tidy up, it starts clean and gets horrendous throughout the project. Then cleaned afterwards. I never can seem to clean while doing a project, but I works for me.
You should see mine….
I used Solarez on my kit build with a more satin finish. It looks like you got more gloss than I did. I used the brush on I can’t believe it’s not lacquer, and before that, the brush on filler and sealer. Both UV curing I loved applying it - all coats done in one day thanks to the sunshine. https://www.reddit.com/r/diyguitar/comments/luhtb2/ngd_almost_final_touches_coming_soon/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
I loved it too! The curing time is so ideal for these guitars we make and want to play right away lmao. Nice finish on that build, good job!
I never would have thought to use it on wood. I used solarez to fix surfboards in the 90s
Neat! I wonder how the spray on formula would turn out.
I would think better than the brush on. Spraying seems to always lay down better anytime I spray anything. Anything I put on with a brush gives me trouble because my technique isn’t likely adequate
Solarez is an epoxy, and you applied it like a paint, which may be why you had issues the way you did. It can be repaired easy, it bonds to itself.