How cold is too cold to spray lacquer?
In temperatures below 60° F the water evaporation slows and the coalescing solvent can evaporate faster than the water and the coating won’t cure properly.
How long do you have to wait to sand nitrocellulose?
3-4 weeks is about as long as I’ve been able to wait. If you can keep it in a warm, dry place, maybe a little less.
Does nitro finish crack?
Nitrocellulose also yellows with time, especially when exposed to excessive sunlight. Apart from the above, small cracks can appear in a nitro finish after several years too. This occurs when a guitar is regularly exposed to differing temperatures, as changes in climate causes wood to expand and contract.
How long does nitrocellulose take to cure?
Allow finish to cure 10-14 days Wet sand with 800-grit and finer sanding papers, then buff to a high-gloss using sanding papers, polishes, and buffers. More info on wet sanding.
Does lacquer dry in cold weather?
Shellac, a wiping varnish, and spray lacquer dry quicker than other finishes in cold weather. The best solution, though: Wait for a day that’s not too cold, too hot, or too humid.
Can you spray lacquer outside?
To be safe, reserve spraying for smaller projects, and stick with the can. Do your spray finishing outdoors or in the garage with the door wide open. Better-quality spray cans armed with fan-shaped tips deliver finish as smoothly as you’d expect from a high-priced HVLP sprayer.
How do you remove nitro finish?
Acetone is the main ingredient of lacquer thinner, and it dissolves lacquer on contact. It will make short work of a nitrocellulose coating on your neck. You’ll want to do it in a very well ventilated area, but it won’t be much trouble.
What is the fastest way to cure nitrocellulose?
Acetone will provide the fastest drying because it is the fastest evaporating, commonly available, lacquer solvent. Fast lacquer thinners are blends of solvents, usually with a recommended temperature range listed on the can for achieving normal drying.
What should I know before buying a Nitro Guitar?
The best advice I can give before buying a guitar where both the body and neck are nitro coated is this: Also own a non-nitro guitar. Whether it’s a guitar with a gloss or satin urethane finish on the neck, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s comfortable.
Which is better for a guitar nitro or poly?
Nitrocellulose is considered to be more porous than polyester or polyurethane, with a thin, smooth and somewhat slippery texture that isn’t quite as solid or constrictive. Many purists and luthiers therefore believe that a nitro finish allows a guitar’s wood to breathe, yielding a more open sound and greater sustain.
Which is better satin or Nitro Guitar finish?
The color tint with the clear gloss finish will always look better than the diffused look of satin urethane. Interestingly enough, a gloss urethane coated neck with color tint is the closest you can get to a nitro look without the guitar being actually nitro coated.
How is nitrocellulose used as a guitar finish?
A nitrocellulose guitar finish is applied multiple times over several days, with each coat essentially melting the previous one. This process eliminates the need to sand between layers. After full application, the solvent chemicals are left to fully dissolve; leaving a dry resin-like texture.