Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Sep 23, 2007 03:20pm | #1

   Do you mean vinyl sanding sealer instead of vinyl filler? Vinyl sanding sealer is a little like a clear primer. It is used before top coating with lacquer and some other top coats. It can seal in stain or other colorants so the lacquer doesn't make it bleed. It also helps to limit the number of applications of lacquer when a full film finished is desired. With some open grain woods, a few coats of sanding sealer may eliminate the need for pore filler. Like primers, it's less expensive than the top coat, adheres well to the wood and allows the top coat to adhere to it.

   When you want a piano like finish, it's important that the surface prep is as perfect as possible. The sanding sealers are easier to sand to get that mirror flat surface than just using thinned lacquer. Some contain stearates, these are not recommended under many top coats. Some vinyl sanding sealers get used under CAB acrylic lacquers, CAT lacquers and conversion varnishes. You would want to know the product you are using so it matches a system. As usual, there are two camps on using sanding sealers. When it comes to production finishing with lacquer, many shops use it.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

2. 
   HowardAcheson | Sep 23, 2007 05:28pm | #2

   Be careful when using sanding sealers. In many cases, the type of sanding sealer is closely tied to the finish that you plan to use. For example, lacquer sanding sealer should not be used under oil based poly varnish or waterborne acrylic varnish. There are oil based sanding sealers for use under those finishes.

   Vinyl sanding sealers are typically used under two part lacquer finishes and work as a "system" with the manufacturer's top-coat.

   In many cases, sanding sealers are expedients used by production finishers to speed up the finishing process. However, they can also lead to a less durable finish.

   Howie.........