Episode 127 Updates on the Solarez Guitar and the Crystalac Guitar

This episode features updates on the tropical green burst guitar clear coated with Solarex UV cured lacquer and the natural guitar finished with Crystalac products.

[@JeremiahMcGowan]

I am indeed watching this 5 years down the road

[@JohnK-id1zj]

Thanks! I've been watching A TON of your videos and finally feel prepared to tackle finishing my first guitar. Thanks for all this excellent content!

[@ConstrutorMusical]

I love your videos. Thanks for sharing your ideas. Great content!

[@rickgledura3194]

Hi Chris been watching your videos for quite some time now I've been doing guitars for an excess of 35 years and are using a crystalac bright tone and was interested possibly switching to solarez. in the past I've used synthetic coatings which I'm not in a production mode so I don't need that at the moment did you ever notice when you use the crystal lack poor filler if you don't get every bit of that by sanding , when you put your clear coat on I still see some milky areas And also the ridiculous amount of wait time before you can finish final sand and buff .if you're not interesting getting guitars out In less than 2 months time then crystal lack might be a good way to go Also when I finals sand before I buff the larger the pad you use the flatter and smoother your finish will be if you use a small item like an eraser you will get it smooth but after you put your final finish on hold it up to a fluorescent light and you will see it wavy my goal was to make my finished dead flat Thanks a lot keep up your great videos

[@MrLeepons]

Recently found your videos... great stuff.. I watch them all the time... Quick question... Have you used Solarez on painted guitars? I seen beautiful stained and natural finishes... but does it work with painted finishes... like a "candy apple type finish?

[@HighlineGuitars]

Yes, it works over paint.

[@Furtheronmusic]

Both look great especially the tropical burst.

[@onpsxmember]

First thing I thought about the green one...watermelon. I've seen a similar burst before (kiko loureiro signature, I think) so it was like a déjà vu having the same thought process again, especially when you mentioned the red on the headstock. If you do one again with a maple top, that would be cool thing. Thanks again for your in debth information about the finishing process and your thoughts in choosing finishes. It would take a lot more time to choose a finishing solution. Glad to hear more about that finish. Some things I'm interested to hear about the finish in the next video: What is your experience with the 1 month drying (

[@eross21]

just checking. here in 2023. how has Sloarex guitars aged over the years? also are there other products you’ve used and liked better of the last year or 2. i’m thinking of buying something like Solarez of better soon

[@HighlineGuitars]

Solarez does not age. It's like polyurethane in that it doesn't change at all year after year. I use mainly as a grain filler. For clear coats, I use Centurion water-based 2K polyurethane or Crystalac Brite Tone 1K polyurethane.

[@eross21]

@@HighlineGuitars very cool. have you ever used it as grain filler, and too coated with nitro laquer ? curious if that works

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@eross21 I don't see why it wouldn't work. Try testing it first.

[@jayp6990]

Both are outstanding!

[@gilsolomon]

Hey Chris ! Thank you for this video, I'm really interested in Solarez, how do you find Solarez as a finish for neck? How does it feel?

[@HighlineGuitars]

I don’t use it on my necks. It’s too squeaky.

[@gilsolomon]

@@HighlineGuitars Thank you! So, what kind of neck finish would you match with a Solarez finished body? I have no spraying equipment, so I am kind of limited in my options :\

[@tylerparker3024]

I have the same question^ what about solarez on a fret board even?

[@ChrisAlia123shredmadinsanity]

GREAT VIDEO and WOW those look AMAZING! Ok I know this will probably sound silly to a professional like yourself but I have two very important questions for ya that I really need help with.. First after staining the ash wings on this guitar was wondering should I go with sanding sealer before I poly it or use the rub in poly mineral spirit method? Also being a first timer was wondering which would I get the best result out of easiest Solerez I can't believe it's not lacquer or minwax wipe on poly? Thanks so much and sorry to keep asking so many questions.. I'm just really nervous!

[@HighlineGuitars]

Since you're new to this, I would stick with a wipe on polyurethane. Solarez ICBINL is great stuff, but it's not as easy to work with as a wipe on poly. As for the sanding sealer after the stain, it really isn't necessary unless you plan to wet sand in the poly and don't want to sand off any of the stain.

[@ChrisAlia123shredmadinsanity]

@@HighlineGuitars What about a grain filler since it's ash? I definitely don't want to sand any off the stain. That's what I was worried about with the sanding sealer and sanding after the stain as well as rubbing in the poly with mineral spirits.. Just seems kinda scary! LOL I just want it' to look good but don't want the finish to sink in a month or two down the road

[@ChrisAlia123shredmadinsanity]

@@HighlineGuitars What about grain filler since it's ash?

[@ChrisAlia123shredmadinsanity]

Sorry Chris I have 1 last question.. If I do need to use grain filler do I do that before or after I stain

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@ChrisAlia123shredmadinsanity if you want the grain filled so the surface is smooth, then yes, use some grain filler. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for when and how to apply it.

[@georgescarlett2320]

Yeah, "it doesn't matter if the guitar sits around for a month", only to a CUSTOMER!!!!! Solarez ALL THE WAY for my shop. All sanding (Non Archtop) and completely finished instrument, and placed in my customers hands in 24 hrs.!!!

[@chrisyoung8062]

the natural is beautiful

[@mattliebenau9083]

Any plans to experiment with spraying the Solarez? Do you know if it can be tinted to make an opaque finish? Thanks.

[@HighlineGuitars]

Yes, you can spray it. No, you can't tint it.

[@georgescarlett2320]

Sprayable as long as you have a HEATED Gun pot!!!

[@laurielindquist3907]

Will I be able to use this on an acrylic design painted on the guitar without sanding the design? Will it adhere? Can i apply coats without polishing topcoat?

[@HighlineGuitars]

You'll have to test on scrap to know for sure.

[@billgross176]

Sounds like a great product but can you get a mat finish with it? Whats it like on a neck - will it give smooth fast feel, or will it feel like plastic?

[@HighlineGuitars]

It's only available as a gloss finish and I wouldn't recommend it for a neck. Probably fine for a Maple fretboard.

[@billgross176]

Highline Guitars Thanks very much for your reply. I understand that the product is only available/marketed as high gloss... but was wondering if it could be be used and look good in a less glossy way? Perhaps its just a silly question - thanks for your patience :)

[@SkyscraperGuitars]

Great information!

[@demantoid418]

Beautiful I need one.

[@winners09]

Do you not need to use the Solarez grain filler before you put on the cant believe its not lacquer or is the lacquer enough as a sealer

[@HighlineGuitars]

It all depends on what you want to accomplish and the type of wood you're using.

[@calebmelton8254]

I wonder if Framus uses the Solarex finish? I recently watched a video of their Custom Shop and they have a UV tower that completely cures the finish in like 3 minutes.

[@HighlineGuitars]

I believe Framus uses a UV cured polyester, which is similar to Solarez, but requires specialized equipment to cure. Solarez can be cured with ordinary sunlight. UV cured polyester is extremely hard and for that reason is very difficult to level sand and buff. Solarez sands and buffs easily and cures with a hardness between polyester and nitrocellulose lacquer.

[@edadpops1709]

I know you like to experiment but wonder why the new solarez would not work as the grain fill sealer and top coat? Cost or does it not buff as good as the brite tone? Wondering?

[@HighlineGuitars]

The Solarez I Can't Believe It's Not Lacquer is intended to be a final top coat. I think it buffs as good as the best lacquers on the market including Brite Tone. It's water clear, doesn't yellow or check like nitro. Plus it cures in 1-2 minutes under ordinary sunlight. I tried it as a grain filler for this video and while it works for that purpose, it requires about 4 coats or more depending on the wood. Solarex just sent me another new product which is a gel grain filler. It's non-flammable, has almost no odor and is UV curable as well. It's designed to work with I Can't Believe It's Not Lacquer (ICBINL) as a grain filler/sealer. I'll be posting a video soon.

[@tomjoad6993]

I don't think I've ever seen you do a window test with the I can't believe it's not lacquer. Is there a reason why? How does it compare to a nitro finish?

[@HighlineGuitars]

Brite Tone has a better mirror-like shine. ICBINL has slight distortions in the reflections. Nitrocellulose turns yellow and cracks. ICBINL stays water clear and won’t crack or chip unless you hit it with a hammer.

[@tomjoad6993]

@@HighlineGuitars What causes the distortions in the ICBINL? There is no way to get rid of them? The cure time is very appealing with the ICBNIL, but a smooth, mirror-like shine is one of the most important things.

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@tomjoad6993 if I knew that, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

[@b5blu392]

Why are you not using solarez for the entire finish. It dries hard as nails and is great. We use it in another industry for wood finish as well and it’s great. I’ve seen guys to a hammer test and can’t get it to break from the wood. It doesn’t stick to some Materials that’s aren’t wood tho like linen based phenolic.

[@HighlineGuitars]

Because I want a matte sheen for this guitar. I'll use Solarez ICBINL on my next build that will be a high gloss finish. Also, this is not the same stuff as their UV cured polyester. This product is formulated to be a bit softer and therefore easier to level sand and buff. I think it's harder than nitro, but not as hard as polyester.

[@michaelpolutta3131]

Any info on the resins used in that product? The Solarez site is silent on this product except for the price. Thanks.

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@michaelpolutta3131 I don't know what's in the Solarez product. If you contact them on their website, they might offer some additional info, but don't expect much as I am sure it's proprietary.

[@tobuslieven]

1:52 Maybe the reason they can't believe it's not lacquer is because it is lacquer.

[@aaronfuksa2047]

Anybody, Can you apply solarez on top of a acrylic coating? Concerned with the solvents. Even over white acrylic urethane.

[@HighlineGuitars]

I've applied it over acrylic before without any problems, however, you should check with Solarez to see what the recommend. Also, you should always test on scrap.

[@agdtec]

Can I use a black light or UV light to cure the Solarex? In the winter it gets dark early and if I finish I would love to not have to take it outside in the cold or low sunlight.

[@HighlineGuitars]

I think you can use UV lights. Contact Solarez to find out what they recommend.

[@perrypound7919]

Have you tried to apply it over paint? Really interested to find out. If you have tried it, what kind of paint did you use, like acrylic enamel, or some other kind of paint.

[@HighlineGuitars]

I tried it over water-based acrylic paint and it worked fine. No issues.

[@DanielRodriguez-eh1qd]

Highline Guitars what about the Solarex UV Resin from your other video. Can that be applied over paint?

[@darylburke4575]

Can you use solorez uv resin over top of water based urethane

[@HighlineGuitars]

I've never done this myself, but I don't see why you couldn't. That being said, I would test on some scrap first.

[@darylburke4575]

@@HighlineGuitars solarez worked fine over crystalac Brite tone

[@BillyBN]

Can you use the solarez alone as the finish

[@HighlineGuitars]

Yes, you can. They have several products you can use. Polyester for a super hard finish and I Can't Believe It's Not Lacquer for a finish that's easier to work with.

[@steveredenbaugh9058]

Absolutely Hate Green Guitars.. but that tropical thing looks Great!