francis
C.O.G. 
Posts: 2,483 
My main instrument is: Whatever I'm building...
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Post by francis on Oct 10, 2017 7:08:15 GMT
Help info required please. I think some here on the forum use egg white as a grain filler to retain natural colour. Just wondering how best to apply it.
There are some tube videos where either the egg is applied and sanding starts straight away then leaving to dry, re sanding when dry, repeat as necessary. Or, egg applied left to dry and reactivated with minimal water before sanding. Again repeat as needed.
Found one reference to adding pumice to the egg white to thicken it - not sure on that one...
I have used a clear waterbased gel filler called Aquacoat with varied results especially relating to timber colour after applying. Quite patchy. Mainly on mahogany end grains around the neck heel...
Z-poxy have bought out a finishing resin which some makers are using as a filler but no reviews.
Many thanks, Francis
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colins
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 2,397
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Post by colins on Oct 10, 2017 9:07:57 GMT
Francis, I use egg white filler, and use the first way you list. Apply egg white, sand into a slurry which I then rub into the grain. I also use an old credit card to squeegee the slurry into the grain and to remove the excess slurry. Leave to dry, hand sand and repeat till happy.
Any problems just ask.
Good seeing you at Halifax.
Colin
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francis
C.O.G.
Posts: 2,483
My main instrument is: Whatever I'm building...
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Post by francis on Oct 10, 2017 10:30:57 GMT
Thanks colins - great to see the 'Prof' in person  |
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Post by lars on Oct 13, 2017 11:42:48 GMT
A short question to Colins and any other with experience of the method: How long will you let it dry before you repeat the process?
I tried this summer and the second layer made what was left from previous layer wet and sticky. May be I just didn't sand the first layer enough? But I believe that egg white dries in two steps: First the water evaporate and second the egg white hardens just like linseed oil.
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colins
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 2,397
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Post by colins on Oct 13, 2017 16:40:20 GMT
Lars, I do usually let it dry for at least 4 hours, then hand sand it back so that only the pores are filled, then repeat. The egg White acts as a binder for the wood dust from the initial wet sanding.
Colin
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R the F
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 1,135
My main instrument is: bandsaw
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Post by R the F on Oct 13, 2017 21:30:55 GMT
I've used egg-white a couple of times as you and Colin describe above but only because I've read about it on this-here forum. However, nobody ever mentions that it's quite an unpleasant activity - a slimy-sticky smelly mess - and I'm not sure how much difference it makes to my polishing time. I tend to fill the grain by pulling the shellac hard into the grain when polishing with a rubber and then cutting back hard (with, say, 240 or 360 paper) and repeat until I'm happy with the finish. The advantage is that there's absolutely nothing masking the wood if you do it this way. I've not really answered your question though, have I?
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Post by lars on Oct 14, 2017 5:42:18 GMT
Lars, I do usually let it dry for at least 4 hours, then hand sand it back so that only the pores are filled, then repeat. The egg White acts as a binder for the wood dust from the initial wet sanding. Colin Thank you Colin! I will have to sand it back better next time. /Lars |
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Post by lars on Oct 14, 2017 5:47:49 GMT
I've used egg-white a couple of times as you and Colin describe above but only because I've read about it on this-here forum. However, nobody ever mentions that it's quite an unpleasant activity - a slimy-sticky smelly mess - and I'm not sure how much difference it makes to my polishing time. I tend to fill the grain by pulling the shellac hard into the grain when polishing with a rubber and then cutting back hard (with, say, 240 or 360 paper) and repeat until I'm happy with the finish. The advantage is that there's absolutely nothing masking the wood if you do it this way. I've not really answered your question though, have I? Maybe not an answer to my question but good information. Btw what do you mean by 'polishing with a rubber'? And what kind of finish do you use upon the shellac? Francis: sorry for hijacking your thread |
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R the F
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 1,135
My main instrument is: bandsaw
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Post by R the F on Oct 14, 2017 8:22:28 GMT
Sorry, lars. Not "an answer to my question" because it was supposed to be an answer to francis's original question! But, since you ask, you'll find a run-down on my personal french polishing technique here (last quarter of the page). Hope it helps but, if you could explain french polishing in a few words, it wouldn't be such a mysterious black art! |
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Post by lars on Oct 14, 2017 16:18:27 GMT
Sorry, lars . Not "an answer to my question" because it was supposed to be an answer to francis 's original question! Hmmm... I wish I wasn't so egocentric! Thanks for the link! |
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Jo whoever he is.
