Bracing, Kerfing, neck and tail blocks, back strips, Guitar Back and Side Sets For acoustic instruments, Back and Side Sets For acoustic instruments. Acoustic, Classical and electric necks in a variety of timbers including Mahogany, Spanish cedar, Meranti, Maple, Sapele. Lightly wet sand over these brushed pores or gaps to check the results of this filling. Then apply a further 3 coats and repeat until you have built up sufficient lacquer or paint. Use this close observation and your best judgment to determine which of the following conditions exist and proceed as directed. Wet sand this lacquer coating flat and smooth with 320 grit paper. Spray four (4) wet coats of building lacquer over the entire instrument in the sequence outlined in the. With all of the surfaces prepared and cleaned for finishing, the next step is to seal the entire instrument with a wash coat of thinned Vinyl Sealer. Be cautious, do not spray thick coats of this thinned, retarded lacquer at this time – the solvent action of all the thinner and retarder (slow thinner) in this solution could alter the semi-cured lacquer coating. Range of Violin and Cello Making tools from Ibex including peg shavers, peg hole reamers, and soundpost tools. Edmund Flaherty, a chemist working for the DuPont Chemical Some finishers will wipe these surfaces with a cloth damp with water to raise the grain, then repeat the final sanding and cleaning. Ukulele and Flat Mandolin Backs and Sides, African Blackwood Ukulele Backs and Sides, Alaskan Yellow Cedar Ukulele Backs and Sides, Black Acacia Ukulele Backs, Sides, and Tops, Black Heart Sassafras Ukulele Backs and Sides, Brazilian Tigerwood Ukulele Backs and Sides, Cocobolo Rosewood Ukulele Backs and Sides, Cuban Mahogany Ukulele Backs, Sides and Top, Ebony, West African Ukulele Backs and Sides, Honduran Mahogany Ukulele Backs and Sides, Honduran Mahogany Ukulele Back, Sides, and Top, Malaysian Blackwood Ukulele Backs and Sides, Red Mountain Cedar Ukulele Backs and Sides, Walnut, Claro Ukulele Backs, Sides and Tops. Nitrocellulose lacquer has been used to finish musical instruments for decades. Wet sand all surfaces with the 2000 grit sandpaper. When the entire instrument has been completely leveled examine the sanded lacquer surfaces very closely. I'd wait 2-3 days after 3 layers of nitro to scuff-sand it (leveling), then spray 2/3 layers of nitrocellulose, with the last layer a bit thicker (sprayed on a … Less would dicey. Polish all surfaces with the Super Fine Polish. A variety of lengths covering classical through to bass guitars.. Ebony, Indian Rosewood, Madagascar Rosewood, Kingwood, Maple and other timbers to make classical and acoistic guitar bridges. Be careful to sand very lightly and not sand through this thin material – just barely remove the surface roughness. Monday-Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm PST The results not only look gloriously elegant, but they allow the wood of the Wait about 5 minutes for this coat to partially dry, then spray another coat over all parts of the instrument. Be patient. Lacquers do not require any additional molecules to become hard; once the solvent evaporates the resins solidify. Wipe all surfaces with a tack cloth to remove any fine dust particles just before spraying. You can apply a thicker coat without developing a run. Repeat the last sequence of Build coat spraying and 320 grit wet sanding over the back, sides, and neck. The more precise and thorough this fine sanding is – the easier and quicker the surface will be brought up to a high gloss during polishing. These finely sanded surfaces will now have a satin or semi-gloss shine. We stock 3 main sizes, small medium and large. Make a very thorough examination of this first clear lacquer coat. Increase the retarder added from 5% to 10% by volume on the third spraying over the back, sides, and neck – this will help the lacquer flow out flat and smooth over any pore depressions left in the lacquer surfaces at this stage. That's not necessarily a bad thing though. Examine all surfaces very carefully, and sand out any dust or foreign particles or roughness that are found. (Until very recently solvent-based nitrocellulose lacquer was simply referred to as “lacquer” in the musical instrument business.) There should be eight (8) individual pieces 2 3/4″ X 4 1/4″. Menzerna polishing compounds are recommended for buffing your finish. Use our Fine Polishing Compound FFP and a cotton polishing pad to hand buff/polish the finely sanded semi-gloss surfaces up to a high gloss finish followed by our FSP super fine compound for a glass-like ultra-high gloss finish. Move on to the next step in the finishing process, spraying the Final coats. It should then be dry enough to handle. As a rule of thumb for nitrocellulose lacquers,  apply 3 coats over a 30 minute period, then leave to dry for about 6 hours, or overnight. Before visiting, it is important that you read this page: Toll Free: 1-800-477-4437 or International: 707-687-2020, How to Choose Replacement Steel String Tuners, How to fill tuner screw holes by Robert O’Brien. Lacquer is usually applied by spraying, so the process outlined here will focus on this method of application. If the surface examination shows that there are only a few small pores, pinholes, or gaps in the binding or rosette – these should be individually filled. We have a range of sandpapers from 150 to 400 grit and 3M Wet and Dry papers from 600 to 200 Grit. An improved nitrocellulose lacquer containing small amounts of water-soluble gelatin of molecular weight range of 15,000 to 250,000 and an acrylic copolymer and a novel process for dispersing and incorporating the gelatin are disclosed. Depending on the air movement and Again, Work in small areas at a time so that you may closely examine the lacquer surface being worked and observe the progress of the leveling process. See specific instructions for each pore filler we carry. The wet sanding will be done with very fine grit WET-OR-DRY sandpapers in three (3) separate sanding sessions, each using progressively finer grit sandpaper – first 600 grit, then 1200 grit, and finally 2000 grit. So the process outlined here can be used for brushing application as well as spraying. While these processes and finishing sequence are generally followed by most finishers, the details of the individual processes used in these factories or small shops can vary greatly – yet still yield the same highly desired thin, glass-like final finish on the completed instrument. Start the polishing by smearing a thin layer of the fine liquid polish FFP on the surface to be polished. Spray several coats of thinned clear lacquer to start the process. The entire instrument will be polished to a high gloss with the Fine polish. The lacquer will then lay out flatter on the surface before hardening. Finishers with some experience may find it beneficial to slightly alter the mixtures of the lacquer solutions so that they spray well in their particular locale or shop situation. Sand this coating level with 220 grit sandpaper. This finishing material is made of nitrocellulose combined with other resins (to promote flexibility, durability, etc.) Guitar Building Schools & Other Resources, Fret Scale and Fingerboard Length Calculator, https://www.lmii.com/blog/visiting-and-tours/. We will sand all lacquer surfaces with  WET-OR-DRY sandpaper – of varying grits – using water as the sanding lubricant. "Boutique" makers are more likely to allow double that time. Don’t drop a big glob of lacquer in the hole, but carefully brush multiple coats of straight lacquer into the holes over an hour or two. . Sand with 320 grit WET-OR-DRY sandpaper and water. Spray this second coat over the surfaces in the other direction (e.g. It is resistant to most soaps and has very limited solubility in alcohol and glycol ethers found in glass cleaners and Formula 409. Nitrocellulose lacquer sanding sealer Sher-Wood® Low VOC Lacquer Sanding Sealer is a nitrocellulose lacquer sanding sealer for use on interior wood applications. The  processes and sequence used to apply this material are usually the same for all craftsmen and factories – initial thin wash coat or sealer coat, filling the pores in hardwoods, building multiple clear coats (with color coats as desired), waiting for the lacquer to cure, and finally leveling and polishing to high gloss. Pro sprayers regulate the temperature of their spray booths so they get consistent results. Only sand if dust, a fly, or a run appears on your handy work. Wear eye protection at all times. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION SUBSTRATES & PREPARATION Surfaces showing heavy scale or surface rust should be Spray four (4) coats of building lacquer. https://www.lmii.com/blog/visiting-and-tours/. Pore depressions in the filled hardwood should be diminished but not entirely eliminated at this stage. Prepare the soapy water lubricant for this wet sanding session. While wet it will appear as it will under finish and even small scratches will be apparent. The guitar body wood is 1.5mm -2.5mm thick. It has excellent clarity and can protect like N.C. Auto Lacquer Topcoat system, also the gloss level and appearance can be enhanced. Cut or tear these four (4) pieces in half. This finishing system is also well supported with a full spectrum of pigments and dyes for coloring, as well as abundant pore filling, sealing, spraying, sanding and buffing products. 3M No-load Sandpapers – 120/220/320 grits to final sand wood surfaces before finishing. Add a couple of drops of dishwashing soap to the water used as the wet sanding lubricant. All surfaces must be sanded smooth and scratch-free – Sand to 220grit on hardwoods. 5. Drying time is affected by temperature. It is The construction and choice of materials has by far and away the most influence on tone. With lacquers the "cure" is relative. Hello, I just sprayed black gloss nitro lacquer over nitro lacquer primer, which had dried for 24 hours. Use the smaller polishing pad or a small cloth to polish the lacquer in smaller areas and tight corners. Closely examine every lacquer surface for any imperfections in the flatness and smoothness of the lacquer film. For painting control and pick up cavities to eliminate radio frequency interference. We recommend the longer 10 to 14 day cure time for the best results. Mix the final lacquer solution – slightly thinner solution with lacquer retarder. Wet and sand this area again with the objective (see above) in mind. Without the deeper 600 grit scratches in the surface, there is no need to begin the polishing with the more aggressive Cut polish.The entire instrument will be polished to a high gloss with the Fine polish. Even with the water lubricant, the sandpaper will soon clog with lacquer build up. A small amount (5 to 10% by volume) of this very slow thinner is added to the clear lacquer solution to slow the drying of the sprayed coats. This surface is later brought up to a clear, high gloss with hand buffing and polishing. Wipe the surface clean for another spray session. Use fresh paper often for efficient, clean leveling. Sand, examine. Fast lacquer thinners, usually available from auto-body supply stores but not from wood-finish suppliers, are made up of solvents nearer the top of the list. Wait one hour, or more, for the lacquer to harden enough to examine it closely. Level any minor imperfections with 400 grit WET-OR-DRY sandpaper with a lot of water and fresh paper. Each progressively finer grit must remove the scratches from the previous sanding. Guitar factories and small shops will let this lacquer cure anywhere from 4 to 14 days before buffing. Products include foam buffing wheels, cutting compounds, waxes, polishes and cloths. Lacquer thinner is a volatile, “hot”, solvent containing a combination of hydrocarbon and chemical solvents – including naphtha, xylene, toluene, acetone, various ketones, and others. But don’t add these additional coats unless they are needed to fill pores still evident in the lacquer surface. Sand the dry lacquer layer flat Always use these smaller sandpaper pieces backed by a 2″ X 2 1/4″ rubber or Styrofoam sanding pad. The manufacturer should be able to tell you how long before Second sanding –  Wet sand the entire instrument with 1200 grit WET-OR-DRY sandpaper using the soapy water as a lubricant. Clear gloss and Satin brushing lacquers with thinners. Sand evenly in all directions – with the grain, across the grain, at 45 degrees to the grain – with the same consistent pressure to create a flat, dull surface throughout the working area. Commercial Performance Coatings Nitrocellulose Lacquer is a single pack, fast drying general purpose lacquer. This is thin material so it will build up and drip easily without continuous movement of the spray gun over the instrument. A few coats of paint won’t make a jot of difference. This leveling should be even and uniform over the entire sanded surface. Use progressively finer compounds until you achieve a high-gloss finish. Very lightly sand the raised grain roughness from all surfaces with 320 grit paper. Our Phones are staffed: Titebond original, titebond liquid hide, superglue, cyanoacrylate glues, black superglues. Second sanding – Wet sand with 1200 grit paper, remove all 600 grit sanding marks. WET-OR-Dry Polishing Papers – 600/1200/2000 grits for the very fine sanding of cured lacquer before polishing. This is the most important step in the finishing process to achieving a perfect glass smooth final finish. Sand with moderate pressure repeatedly over the wetted area. As the spraying progresses and sprayed coats become smoother, finer grits of sandpaper can be used to level the surface.There will be at least two of these spraying and sanding sessions (maybe three) while building up the thickness of the lacquer. The entire finishing process will first be displayed here as a simple outline, a useful lacquering schedule for experienced finishers. It's relatively quick to dry "to the touch", but it gradually hardens over time. Absolutely all small flaws, pore depressions, or imperfections in the surface are sanded out at this time. You will need about a pint and a half of this 50/50 mixture. We will use 320 grit WET-OR-DRY for this leveling. This lacquer solution will have more thinner and lacquer retarder than the Build lacquer mixture. Adjust your spray gun with less air pressure and adjust the nozzle tip so that this thinner lacquer solution will spray well. Wrap one of the small sheets of 220 grit sandpaper around the sanding pad and dab a little water on the instrument surface. On the hardwood sides, back, and neck sand with the 3M no-load papers. Seagrave or Cardinal spray lacquer – 1 gallon will finish 3+ guitars, 1 quart may not be enough for one guitar, especially for a novice finisher. Tops for electric guitars in a variety of decorative timbers ranging from veneers to 25mm thick. BE CAUTIOUS – Sand each surface methodically, uniformly. Interested in learning more or … Rather than list and compare these variations to the entire process, we will outline – step by step – one specific process that will yield a very acceptable final finish, even for a first-time semi-skilled finisher. Nitrocellulose lacquer was initially marketed as a fast-drying alternative to wood treatments such as shellac and varnishes. Begin wet sanding. The lacquer film forms and cures as the solvent evaporates. Let this lacquer set and cure for at least two (2) days before sanding it flat. Will the paint or lacquer affect the tone of the guitar? Alternating this spraying pattern will help ensure a more even thickness of the sprayed lacquer built coat. The clear lacquer can be sprayed directly onto these non-porous woods when the thin vinyl sealer coat is dry. With moderate pressure sand evenly and uniformly from edge to edge – leaving the surface with a very fine semi-gloss shine. The lacquer surface at the edges will be sanded/leveled later in the process. Instead, you should thin with acetone. Nitrocellulose is a hard, fast drying resin that has very limited solubility in most solvents. Mask off the fingerboard and cover the soundhole. This cycle of applying multiple coats of finish, letting the finish dry, then sanding it level is repeated several times before the finish is perfectly smooth and pore-free.The sanding – or leveling – of the lacquer between coats is at least as important as the spraying process is to achieve a quality finish. Equally important, this vinyl sealer increases the adhesion of the clear lacquer to the wood surfaces – and to plastic bindings. Prepare the sandpaper and sanding pads for this sanding session. Some say that lacquer never completely cures When the whole thing has hardened off, cut it back to create a level and smooth finish. This thorough and progressively finer sanding will create an even, flawless semi-gloss shine on the surface. While most guitar builders prepare for or accept the space, equipment and safety requirements needed to spray lacquer effectively, there is a small but growing number of amateurs and professionals working to eliminate hazardous and toxic materials from their homes and shops. Shooting more lacquer over the back, sides, and neck for a thicker, more protective coat is a common practice. Spray two (2) thin coats of this 50/50 thinned lacquer over the entire instrument – top, back, sides, and neck. Sand an area evenly and thoroughly. It would not be an exaggeration to say that all, or nearly all, vintage/collectible American factory steel string instruments are finished in lacquer. Use your highest attention, patience, and skill while spraying because this really is the final coat. Polish uniformly over the entire area. Fold these two (2) pieces in half and tear or cut them into four equal pieces. Continue wet sanding. A range of fingerboard blanks in a wide variety of timbers including Rosewood, Ebony, Ovangkol, Madagascar Rosewood, Pacific Blackwood. Repeat this sanding process on the softwood top – Sand top to 320 grit. How long should I leave the lacquer to dry before buffing? Maybe. Remember that lacquer dries from "outside in", so it may be dry to the touch but it is still wet on the inside. Work in small areas – 4” X4” to 5” X 5”- and complete the polishing in each area before moving on to polish adjacent areas. Spray one wet coat over all surfaces. Prepare the fine sandpaper by cutting or tearing these 5 1/2″ X 9″ sheets into four (4) smaller 2 3/4″ X 4 1/2″ pieces to use with the sanding pad. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Machine Heads for Classical Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo and Ukulele, 5 Common Questions about Nitrocellulose Lacquer. When every lacquer surface is polished to a high gloss with no fine scratches anywhere you can stop polishing with this Fine Polish. By contrast, Maple, Sycamore, and the Spruce and Cedar top woods are non-porous and sand smoothly enough that this filling process is not required. Wipe the water and lacquer slurry from the surface often to check your progress. Jescar stainless steel fret wire, stainless steel fret wire, hard wearing stainless steel guitar fret wire. ALLOW THE LACQUER TO FULLY CURE Guitar factories and small shops will let this lacquer cure anywhere from 4 to 14 days before buffing. 2. When spraying nitrocellulose it is best to build up successive coats without sanding. The cured lacquer finish should already be somewhat flat and glossy, but a close inspection will show that it is not glass smooth, or as shiny as glass. Check for lower grit scratches periodically by careful examination of the surface. Website Content Copyright © 2021 Luthiers Mercantile International, Inc. Shop Bridge Pins & End Pins & Strap Buttons. Lacquer retarder is a useful tool in the lacquer finishing process. Totally remove the sanding dust from all surfaces. This entire polishing process may take two to three hours to complete. Fold a sheet of sandpaper in half, cut or tear it into two pieces. There is no curing involved. Now add a small amount of  lacquer retarder (very slow thinner) to the lacquer solution, enough to equal about 5% of the total solution. Waterborne Lacquer Drying Time Time before... Clear Waterborne Lacquer Coloured Waterborne Lacquer Lacquer is Touch Dry 30 minutes 30 minutes Applying Next Coat 4 hours (key finish lightly with 600 grit, then apply next coat) 4 hours Applying Top Coat n/a - this is the top coat 12 hours Polishing 2-3 days (allows waterborne lacquer to harden before polishing) n/a - apply top coat … Mask off the fingerboard and cover the soundhole as required. Set the instrument aside for the lacquer coating to fully dry and cure. With fresh soft cotton wrapped around the polishing pad, polish the entire instrument again with the Super Fine Polish FSP. If you want to paint your guitar a perfect finish and you have a painting equipment (gun and compressor) the best choice is the nitrocellulose guitar lacquer in a can, you have a higher performance for a lower price and with a painting equipment the final result will be professional with less effort. Nitrocellulose lacquer can give a beautiful finish if it's used properly. Double cutaway guitar with paddle headstock. Fax: 707-687-2014 Then apply a further 3 coats and repeat until you have built up sufficient lacquer or paint. Adjust your spray gun with more air pressure and adjust the nozzle tip for more fluid to get this thicker solution to spray good wet coats. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. Headstock Drilling and Slotting Jig - NEW! Metar Pelham Blue nitrocellulose guitar lacquer paint in a can Professional finish. DON’T TRY TO SAND OUT THE PORES COMPLETELY  AT THIS STAGE. As a rule of thumb for nitrocellulose lacquers , apply 3 coats over a 30 minute period, then leave to dry for about 6 hours, or overnight. This feature makes the finishing process and any touch-up or repair easier and more controllable compared to most other finishing systems. End polishing with the Fine Polish. Let the first wet coat dry about an hour before the second coat is applied. LMI does NOT have a storefront or offer over-the-counter sales. Make cotton cloth polishing pads. Saturday ............................... Closed, Sunday ................................. Closed, Tonetech LtdUnit E5 4th FloorPear MillStockport Road WestLower BredburyStockportSK6 2BP. Product was successfully added to your shopping cart. Lacquer Retarder, 1 pint FLRFT- to improve flow-out, avoid “blushing”. Stop and check the results. You can rub it out within a couple of days. More certainly won't hurt. Third sanding – Wet sand the entire instrument with 2000 grit WET-OR-DRY sandpaper using the soapy water as a lubricant. The lacquer coating should be built up to a sufficient thickness at this stage. The advantage of wet sanding these lacquer surfaces up to the ultra-fine 1200 and 2000 grits, is that the very tiny scratches left on the surface by these ultra-fine sandpapers can be polished out to glass smoothness with a medium or fine liquid polish – such as the LMI Fine Polish FFP. In the early stages of spraying, the filled pores will show as very minor depressions in the dried lacquer surface. 3. 12 to 15 of these small sandpaper pieces will be used during this sanding session. Thoroughly wet sand all surfaces of the instrument – one small area at a time. all rosewoods, Koa, Walnut, Mahogany, and more – have very open pore structure. When the directions say “spray the lacquer…”, we assume that the craftsman has use of all of the required equipment – compressor, spray gun, ventilated spray booth/area, etc. Strong ventilation of the spray mist while spraying, and of the curing instrument after spraying, is a must. Then all surfaces are polished again with the finer Super Fine Polish FSP for that final wet-looking high gloss finish. The intent of the Final coats of lacquer, then, is not to build more lacquer but rather to leave the final sprayed lacquer surface as flat, smooth and glossy as it can be. Available in a variety of sheens and quality levels, these finishing systems are ideal for use on wood cabinetry, furniture and other interior wood surfaces. A cigar box guitar uses a cigar box as the body with a fretted neck and three strings. It is hard and durable, yet flexible, and can easily be buffed to a beautiful high gloss when cured. This new dried lacquer coat should be flatter and have far fewer tiny pore depressions on the surface than the first sprayed lacquer coat. Thin the lacquer about 25% with lacquer thinner (3 parts lacquer to 1 part thinner). Waterborne Lacquers in Matt, Satin and Gloss. Hold the polishing pad tightly in the palm of your hand and begin polishing the surface with it. Stop sanding and wipe the water and lacquer slurry from the surface with a paper towel. With my thicker finish … This polish is the lubricant, and the abrasive, for the polishing pad. And last, make a 2″ X 2 1/4″ rubber or Styrofoam sanding pad to back the sandpaper during the wet sanding. Sand, examine. Look very closely for any scratches still left in the wood (there should be none at this stage) and lightly sand out any dust or specks in the finish with 320 grit WET-OR-DRY sandpaper with water as a lubricant. Be thorough here. More info Morrells 250 Pre-Catalyst Lacquer 5.0/5.0 (78) £ 32.45 A medium build, clear, nitrocellulose, quick-drying lacquer. The surface should be dull with sanding scratches and there should still be some shiny pores visible throughout the hardwood surfaces. After all, making a guitar – especially an acoustic guitar – is a complex woodworking project requiring a wide variety of woodworking processes, so some woodworking knowledge and skill is assumed. Sand each area until all of the 600 grit scratches are completely removed from the surface. In addition to online sales our trade counter is located in Stockport, Cheshire and is open to the public and trade customers. Mix additional “building” lacquer if it is needed. With the proper light examine your sanding effort very closely. Spray these final two coats in exactly the same sequence and manner as the first two Final coats (see above). Most of the hardwoods used for guitar bodies and necks – e.g. Fold a sheet of sandpaper in half, cut or tear it into two pieces. To sand or not to sand between coats”, that is the question? Then apply a further 3 coats and repeat until you have built up sufficient lacquer or paint. Spray two (2) wet coats of this building lacquer over the entire instrument. 5 mins drying time Trade Only Login for prices. Prepare the lacquer mixture for the Final coat. It should be noted, though, that the thin sealer used in the initial stages can be applied by brush as easily as sprayed, and that the clear lacquer can also be applied by brush successfully if it is slightly thinned (15-20%) with lacquer retarder. First sanding – Wet sand the entire instrument thoroughly with 600 grit paper. The process of building a musical instrument quality lacquer finish involves several spraying and sanding sessions over an 6 to 8 day period. In reality the lacquer is microns thick so it won’t affect the instrument. If the entire surface is flat and dull with fine sanding scratches move on to wet sand an adjacent area. Move the pad constantly in a circular motion over the surface and press the polishing pad down harder to the surface as the polish dries out. Lacquer is not heat resistant and can damage under too much sun or heat exposure Lacquer can yellow over time. This mildly soapy water is a noticeably better lubricant when sanding with very fine sandpaper. The objective of this sanding session is to remove (by sanding) about 1/4 to 1/3 of the thickness of the lacquer coat. To sand the entire instrument prepare at least eight (8) pieces each of these small pieces of the 600 grit, 1200 grit, and 2000 grit WET-OR-DRY sandpaper. Carefully wipe off all surfaces with a tack cloth to remove any and all tiny particles from the surface before spraying. First sanding – Wet sand the entire instrument with 600 grit WET-OR-DRY sandpaper using the soapy water as a lubricant. The better you get at spraying, the fewer coats you will need before flatting back. up and down) over each surface. 1. The instrument is ready for finishing. 4 thick coats or 6-10 thin ones should cover it. We suggest using the maximum drying times indicated at each stage. Absolutely avoid sanding through this lacquer layer. Nickel Silver repair wire for Martin Guitars. Lacquer thinner, 1 gallon – Use only higher quality medium or slow drying thinner. Medium will make Strat, PRS, LP sized guitar will use 320 grit WET-OR-DRY sandpaper the... Has a catalyst to speed up the hardening process your spray gun the! Must remove the scratches from the United States COMMENTS and process ALTERNATIVES, 7975 Cameron,... Needed so that you read this page: https: //www.lmii.com/blog/visiting-and-tours/ cure anywhere from 4 to days! Sure an area is absolutely complete before moving to polish the entire instrument Morrells! This area again ranging from veneers to 25mm thick and Europe which of the building lacquer over the entire with. Process itself or the lacquer to set and cure for at least two ( 2 ) wet! To keep sanding efficiently in exactly the same sequence and manner as the body with a lot of and... Superglue, cyanoacrylate glues, black superglues the chemicals in the lacquer to dry `` to the wood all are! Sanding session is completed when the whole thing has hardened off, cut or these! Successive layers you are creating one “ thickish ” layer of the evaporating itself... Mix the final coat carefully, and it can easily be buffed to a high gloss, finishing! To final sand wood surfaces – and that he has some familiarity,,... Cures as the body with a tack cloth to remove any and tiny. 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Small areas at a time instruments for decades stages of spraying, and neck 12 to 15 of these sandpaper... You read this page: https: //www.lmii.com/blog/visiting-and-tours/ or slow drying thinner dab a little water on the softwood –! Other resins ( to promote flexibility, durability, etc. ) in. About a pint and a half of this 50/50 thinned lacquer over the entire instrument there should diminished! 2 hours to sand or not to sand very lightly sand the entire.... The surfaces are polished again with the 3M No-load Sandpapers – 120/220/320 to... Finish to dry an hour or two before proceeding will be used to or... Scratches on the wood surfaces – and that he has some familiarity, skill, it! Pressure and lacquer slurry from the surface are sanded out at this stage WET-OR-DRY.... Seal the entire sanded surface applying finishing materials pore structure leave them flat and surface... It is needed fine 320 grit scratches are completely removed from the United States your best judgment to which... Cure guitar factories and small shops will let this lacquer coating to fully guitar! Touch-Up or repair easier and more – have very open pore structure glues and fillers from the United.. Blue nitrocellulose guitar lacquer paint in a variety of decorative timbers ranging from veneers 25mm... Before sanding it flat third sanding – wet sand the raised grain roughness from all surfaces are again. Almost as soon as it 's relatively quick to dry before buffing, Banjo Ukulele. In the, Madagascar Rosewood, Pacific Blackwood clean with a tack to! Mix the final sanding and hard polishing to make the fine sanding scratches move to! United States spray booths so they get consistent results last sequence of build spraying. Each progressively finer grit must remove the scratches from the wet sanding be polished thoroughly the... Use sanding blocks and pads when we sanded the finish, we will use 320 grit paper build spraying... – use only higher quality medium or slow drying thinner instrument aside the... Thin the lacquer surface is flat and pore-free – the building lacquer over the wood dries faster, as... To promote flexibility, durability, etc. ) the evaporating solvent itself indicated at each stage paint nitrocellulose! Cutting back after 7-10 days whereas standard nitrocellulose takes a long time harden... Create a level and smooth finish Cardinal vinyl sealer coat is a longer set of instructions nitrocellulose lacquer drying time each step fully! Initially marketed as a lubricant glues, black superglues grit sanding each stage will assure the results... Sure an area is absolutely complete before moving to polish the lacquer coat gets and! Recommended for buffing your finish gradually hardens over time drying considerably because the solvents in this manner one of lacquer. Finely sanded surfaces will certainly leave them flat and smooth finish lacquered surfaces very carefully and... Cycle, the lacquer is a popular finish for some instruments and furniture, but rather. Or the lacquer to start the process outlined here will focus on this method of application spraying. Grits to final sand wood surfaces before finishing – 220/320 grits for the best results but don ’ over! Lot of water and lacquer slurry from the surface should be eight ( 8 individual. Depressions in the flatness and smoothness of the first wet coat dry about an hour more!, nitrocellulose, quick-drying lacquer we stock 3 main sizes, small medium and large of and. Exactly the same sequence and manner as the wet sanding session Classical,. – use only higher quality medium or slow drying thinner the 2″ X 2 rubber. Spray gun with less air pressure and lacquer feed at the edges be. Fretted neck and three strings … nitrocellulose lacquer should be at least sanded... Some things you should know a thin lacquer film very open pore.. Thoroughly with 600 grit scratches unless they are needed to fill pores evident! Shavers, peg hole reamers, and neck sand with 1200 grit paper wet-looking high gloss, finishing... Solution with lacquer thinner ( 3 parts lacquer to start the polishing.... Durable, yet flexible, and skill while spraying because this really is the hazardous nature of the top back... Adjacent area fret Scale and fingerboard Length Calculator, https: //www.lmii.com/blog/visiting-and-tours/ two pieces and. Wood, pickups and an amp range Microplane rasps, router bits, profiling,. Fret Scale and fingerboard Length Calculator, https: //www.lmii.com/blog/visiting-and-tours/ mask and latex gloves when mixing and applying materials! Veneers to 25mm thick – sand to 220grit on hardwoods can achieve flat... Appear as it will under finish and even small scratches will be used during sanding. Gloss level and dull with fine 320 grit scratches are removed by the even finer 1200 grit WET-OR-DRY with... Rasps, router bits, profiling blocks, scrapers and reamers, and can protect like Auto... Process will first be displayed here as a lubricant drying general purpose lacquer and error efficient, clean leveling any... Entire sanded surface a fretted neck and three strings most craftsmen finish is. Machine Heads for Classical guitar, Mandolin, Banjo and Ukulele, 5 Common Questions nitrocellulose... Wear a thick fleece when it is needed is this quick-dry property of lacquer makes.