<HTML>In a message dated 12/18/2002 7:25:56 PM Pacific Standard Time, Wimblees@aol.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Subj: Re: soundboard finish Date: 12/18/2002 7:25:56 PM Pacific Standard Time From: <A HREF="mailto:Wimblees@aol.com">Wimblees@aol.com</A> Reply-to: <A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> To: <A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> Sent from the Internet               Marcel .    I'm sure every body has there own protocol. I always finish the bottom first . I'll add a note to Terrys post and that is you can't scribe along the belly rail so before you glue the ribs on place them in the notches and scribe a pencil line on the rib next to the glue surface. Later after the ribs are glued on you are then able to connect the dots from rib to rib with a pencil linewhich designates the area you don't wish to finish. It's fun just like tracing your hand in kindergarten.    I do however tape off the bridge glue joints and trim joints , sand the board and spray on a coat of shellac. WHY? It's easier to keep raw spruce from being contaminated with glue when the bridges go on. Raw spruce will absorb glue readily and show up after the finish goes on as a discoloration along the bridge even though you thought for sur you got it all off. Quite annoying to me. I use this same protocol on the bottom of the board as well before the ribs go on. It's one extra taping but that less the usual nashing og teeth is worth it.</BLOCKQUOTE>                I often do most of the finishing before the board gets glued in. Usually <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">all the sanding sealer goes on and then final coats and rub out after installation. Currently I,m experimenting with just built up coats of shellac. It's hardness has in my opinion excellent acoustic properties. Beautiful luster as well.</BLOCKQUOTE>                  Regards--Dale Erwin <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"><BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Hello, I'm just about ready to finish the underside of my new soundboard. Should I avoid finishing the surround area (where it's going to get glued to the rim)? Is it better to finish both sides at the almost same time ? Is it safe to finish the top side "before gluing the bridges" or should I finish the underside, then glue the bridges, then the board to the rim and then only finish the top ?? Many questions but I prefer to ask before than after. Thanks Marcel </BLOCKQUOTE> I've never done a new board before, but it would seem to me that you would want to glue bridges and ribs to raw wood, instead of finished wood, for a more solid adhesion. Just my thoughts on the matter. Wim</BLOCKQUOTE> </HTML>