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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>David Skolnik asked: "<FONT =
face="Times New Roman"
size=3>Can someones say what they are currently using to seal / finish =
soundboards <BR>and what the pros & cons of this, or any other =
materials
might be? Is the <BR>expectation that the finish will reduce the =
seasonal
moisture <BR>exchange? Does the nature of the particular material =
or the
thickness of <BR>application affect the board's physical / tonal
function?"<BR><BR>Thanks<BR><BR>David,</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV>Although, I will undoubtedly be shouted down, my method, I think, =
is best.
However, it is a lot of work and is not for the faint of heart. The =
short
version: 1. Seal the raw board with 1-2 coats of the highest grade Spar =
Varnish
you can obtain. (NOT Man O War!!!) The one that I have been using is Val =
Spar
Marine Varnish. It comes the closest to what I would like to use, (Olde =
Style
Marine Spar Varnish). Sand between coats. You'll need to allow at least =
3-4 days
drying time. I prefer a week. Otherwise it will gum up your sandpaper, =
big time.
2.Flecto Varathane - "Professional", (Don't get their standard =
Varathane!), 2-3
coats, sanding between coats, (2-3 days drying time). (Oh, I use =
"Satin". Which
is my preference. If you want to use Gloss, that's o.k. It's an =
aesthetic
thingee.<G>) 3. Once you have a thin, smooth finish, apply 1-2 =
coats of
Carnuba Wax, Buffed up vigourously!</DIV>
<DIV>That's pretty much it. ONE major caveat, the board MUST be =
absolutely
flawless, before you put one drop of finish on it!!!</DIV>
<DIV>My reasoning, for this system, is that I want a THIN Flexible =
finish
that will be easy to clean and will endure. I have seen boards with TOO =
Thick a
finish, which, IMO, tended to "choke" the tone, if not completely Deaden =
it, as
in one case of Polyester!!!Yikes!!!</DIV>
<DIV>As for "Sealing" for better "stability", I don't think that is =
possible and
is not the major concern. TONE is THE major concern, IMHO. There are =
those who
like to put multiple coats of Lacquer on their boards. I have found that =
I don't
like the tone, compared to what I get out of my system.<G> And =
then there
are the "purists" that will only use Shellac. To them I say what ever =
flips your
Kilt up, but it is not a enduring as Varnish. The secondary concern is =
to
protect the wood from contaminants and to LOOK nice. The Varnish gives =
Spruce a
beautiful light golden glow, that makes me all warm and =
fuzzy!<G></DIV>
<DIV>Finally, Do Not, Under Any Circumstances Strip the Board!!!!!!!!
(Scraping/Sanding only please.) Stripping tends to drive the olde
finish/contaminants into the wood pores! I further think that that sort =
of
extremely caustic stuff, deteriorates the wood itself! Just my
opinion/experience.</DIV>
<DIV>Regards,</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Joe Garrett, R.P.T.<BR>Captain, Tool
Police<BR>Squares R I</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>