Acoustic Guitar Construction

Hi everyone, I'm getting ready to glue in the rosette in the Sitka top on my 3rd KMG guitar kit, and I have a question that I'm sure someone can answer. Has anyone sprayed the top with vinyl sealer before gluing the rosette, and will this eliminate the problems of staining the top when leveling the rosette? Will this be a problem when gluing the rosette in, or will this cause any problems later on by sealing the top at this stage of construction? I did not seal the top on the first two guitar, until I was ready to apply the lacquer. I only had a slight problem when leveling the rosette on the 2nd guitar and was able to correct it.
Thanks for the help with this.
Charlie

I always wipe a few coats of shellac on the top to avoid staining.

Sealing the sound board to prevent stains from dark wood dust etc. is always a good idea -- shellac is not my choice since it adds color to the light wood and an uneven sanding job can show up as shadows or blotches latter in the finishing process. A wash coat (thinned) lacquer is what I have always done.

As for sealing the rosette channels use a fine brush and get a good wet coat to make sure you seal off the end grain. My assumption is that you plan to use CA. I think there is a Taylor Factory tour video linked somewhere in this topic. For an Abalone rosette this is the process I recommend.

Like John, I always seal with shellac.

I use blonde shellac and love the slight amber tone it adds to the top, plus it's dry in a matter of seconds and allows you to continue work.

Before finishing, I sand away all the shellac that was used as a sealer to avoid any blotchyness, I then seal again with shellac before applying the finish.

I have used both lacquer and shellac. I used the Zinsser Bullseye Shellac in a spray can. Works really well for this purpose, but a rattle can of lacquer would do just as well. But the shellac does dry in seconds allowing me to keep working. I spray it on in my garage, and by the time I get inside, it is almost completely dry. Plus, it does not stink like the lacquer so my wife is less likely to get upset about the fumes. I have plenty of sanding to do before I lacquer, so any shellac is gone by the time I begin finishing.

Hi Everyone. Thanks for your replys. I never thought about using Shellac, or lacquer, I'll have to give that some thought. I've used Behlen's vinyl sealer in a rattle can on my first two guitars, but only just before the lacquer is applied. Has anyone used Behlen's vinyl sealer in a rattle can to seal the top before gluing in the rosette?
Charlie