sealing soundhole endgrain

[yairimann]

I've noticed the inner half of the soundhole on my guitar is not finished, especially by the fingerboard, it is bare wood. I've been thinking of using a wax or perhaps glue on a cloth to wipe this area and seal the end grain. However I'm a bit worried it might stain the wood.
Should I just leave well enough alone?

[RoyBoy]

leaving it unfinished won't hurt anything (the whole inside of the instrument is unfinished. If it would give peace of mind, I would use clear fingernail polish.

[JonWint]

Why not wipe on some finish, like lacquer or shellac?

[jklotz]

I'd leave it be. If your repair job isn't perfect, you will see it every time you pick up the guitar.

[phavriluk]

Whatever OP chooses to do, I hope the top finish is masked off before anything is applied.

[yairimann]

Well it seems it's best just to leave it alone. Thanks for all the replies.

[redir]

It's always a good idea to have end grain sealed after all that's where most of the moisture goes in. Just go down to your hardware store and get some Zinsser shellac or some water based finish. Dab a piece of cloth in the finish and squeeze the cloth out, you only want it wet, then rub it along the end grain. Start by touching in and under the sound hole and then work outward. You don't want to get the finish on the top of the guitar hence why the cloth should only be dampened. Many thin coats are better then one big gloppy one. Repeat several times.

[Carey]

Going into end-grain wlll darken the area, and it's difficult or impossible to remove once done. Not a very conspicuous area, but..

[JonWint]

Originally Posted by Carey

Going into end-grain will darken the area, and it's difficult or impossible to remove once done. Not a very conspicuous area, but..

Shellac doesn't wick into end grain. It is used to "seal" wood prior to applying CA glue, for example, when binding is applied or rosettes are glued.

Shellac can be applied in 15 seconds and can removed, if desired, in 30 seconds with alcohol.

What's the downside?

[Carey]

[QUOTE=JonWint;6555272]Shellac doesn't wick into end grain. It is used to "seal" wood prior to applying CA glue, for example, when binding is applied or rosettes are glued.


> can removed, if desired, in 30 seconds with alcohol.


I'd like to hear more about that technique.

[JonWint]

[QUOTE=Carey;6555316]

Originally Posted by JonWint

Shellac doesn't wick into end grain. It is used to "seal" wood prior to applying CA glue, for example, when binding is applied or rosettes are glued.


> can removed, if desired, in 30 seconds with alcohol.


I'd like to hear more about that technique.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=shella...c752809959373c

[redir]

Originally Posted by JonWint

Shellac doesn't wick into end grain. It is used to "seal" wood prior to applying CA glue, for example, when binding is applied or rosettes are glued.

Shellac can be applied in 15 seconds and can removed, if desired, in 30 seconds with alcohol.

What's the downside?

Yup no downside at all. Luthiers have been finishing instruments with shellac including end grain for how many hundred years now?

[yairimann]

Thanks redir I'll see if I can get a small can of shellac from a hardware store nearby.

[yairimann]

I thought I'd update this thread in case someone has the same problem.
Neither of the hardware stores here had shellac so I bought a can of clear finish
varathane. I applied it using a rag while wearing a latex glove on my hand.

The end grain is now sealed and the colour is very similar to the colour of the top, which is a fairly bright colour. Before the soundhole where there was bare wood was much brighter than the coated part. I've happy with the results and
I'm happy the experts on this forum are so willing to pass on their knowledge.