Mick,

I think you're on to something. I had that same thought after learning that the roughness/smoothness of the sanding around butt joints causes light or dark bands once the first layer of resin goes on. It's worth considering for the top and side panels on the outside only.

: Just recently occurred to me: (no experience w/ this)

: The surface veneer of ply for stitch and glue yaks is so thin and easily
: damaged by over sanding, the stitching process, and esp the discoloration
: prob of joining ,whether scarf or especially butt - would it not make huge
: sense to put a wetting out coat on first before doing ANYTHING - even
: cutting out?....................