Nitrocellulose lacquer ("nitro") was the finish most often used during Fender's original 1950s and '60s golden age, although acrylic lacquers were also used. Lacquer is a nice idea, but, practically speaking, you're chasing a rainbow. These are catalyst harden finishes, and are very hard compared to rattle can poly's. Come to think of it, you can get spray on FOAM polyurethane. Just make sure that you don't use the same amount of poly as you would nitro, if . $74.76 $ 74. Overview. Posted December 16, 2008. It was just playing great. If what you are looking for is to protect your guitar and achieve a durable finish with classic colors, your choice is polyurethane guitar lacquer, a 2-component product that offers maximum resistance and quick drying while respecting the sound and vibration of wood. The thinner will emulsify the surface and the defects should disappear when it hardens again. We hear differences in tone between different guitars and, for some reason, assume that somehow results from the chemical composition of the coating, when it's actually the sum of many factors. 1)"Nitro is made from wood so it allows the wood to breathe and resonate naturally, improving the tone." This statement is generally false. Water-Base Wipe-On Polyurethane 16fl oz. Guitar factories and small shops will let this lacquer cure anywhere from 4 to 14 days before buffing. As explained above, polyurethane is thicker than lacquer. Lacquer-finished fender jazzmasters . It's a good look, created in nitrocellulose lacquer instead of the hard plastic coating that's on there now. Some are thick and glossy, others thinner and more satiny. However nitro was not easy to produce nor work with. But once or twice a year, it's a good idea to do a proper cleaning — it prevents residue buildup and gives you a chance to inspect your instrument in closer detail once in a while . Currently im working on a batch of 7 Midgard guitars, six full custom's and one standard. You have to sand anyway, but the more time you spend sanding, the easier the lacquering becomes. Polyurethane and polyester guitar finishes are considered the industry standard; the modern norm if you will. You will be able to bury a water slide decal under a few coats of this stuff. Ships from and sold by StewMac. . 3. It was just playing great. Rattle can "polyurethane" finishes are soft. It can be thin and sharp, soft and flexible, heavy and dense, just about anything that's needed. I think the future, if I'm ok with an amber tint, I . Urethane is dried by chemicals and can be ready to buff out in just a few days. If the finish disolves then it is nitrocellulose, if it doesn't it's a urethane, polyurethane, or polyester finish. The Quick Answer Polyurethane guitar finishes are more durable and less susceptible to fading, chips and scratches compared to nitrocellulose finishes. . Many are simply inaccurate, others are outright false. Paint is a coating that protects and visually enhances the wood. Once again, spray four more coats of clear, 90 minutes apart. Maximum resistance respecting the sound. Polyurethane. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. Lacquer is a thin film that penetrates the surface of wood. If you are looking for a shiny finish, polyurethane is the better option. It is best used for indoor projects that will not be exposed to the sun. #1. Flammable: Cannot ship by air or outside the USA. Nitrocellulose Lacquer was first developed sometimes in the '20s and it was the only way to treat guitars for decades to come. $16.99. New lacquer guitars feel too sticky to me. Polyurethane is harder to repair, and some don't like the slight plastic feel. If you get a run or drip in the finish, let the surface dry for 24 hours and level-sand the problem area. Nitrocellulose Lacquer Guitar Finishes: Nitrocellulose lacquer was used on Fender and Gibson guitars until the 1970's. It is very smooth. Not a filler, cover-up, nor temporary fix It offers a maximum resistance while respecting the sound of the guitar. The Guitar Kit Fabric proposes differents shades of Green and in particular this green seafoam variation to paint your guitar kit using colour lacquer Polyurethane. Due to its thickness, it also requires fewer coats to achieve full coverage. They are an air dry finish. Nitrocellulose was adopted quickly by the car industry and remained the finish of choice through to the late-1950s. SC (S)lowcountry. People frequently inquire as. We recommend the longer 10 to 14 day cure time for the best results. It is made from the dried secretions of the female Lac beetle. FINE SAND THE CURED LACQUER SURFACE. Today, Nitro Finish guitars are sought-after due to their ability to be "reliced", or antiqued. For the sake of being redundant - one more time - not all "poly" is the same. Sanding till your arms fall off. Today, they're considered the industry standard. For a great number of years lacquer was the go-to finish for many products including guitars. In addition to changing the appearance, this refin will likely . Brightness in sound is not everything. . Polyurethane can be buffed to a high-gloss finish, while lacquer cannot. Thus, one layer of a nitro finish is thinner than one layer of poly finish, which is almost the reciprocal: 70/30. It dries to a clear, almost indestructible plastic-like finish. FREE Shipping. However, when it comes to lacquer vs polyurethane, choosing the right one depends on the level of protection you need, the color you're going for, and how often you're willing to recoat it for a durable finish. Some poly can be reflowed! $35.98 ($2.77/Ounce) In Stock. There are several myths flying around about nitrocellulose lacquer guitar finishes. This process eliminates the need to sand between layers. Two 60s Lake Placid Blue Jazzmasters - but the left guitar has a nitro top coat, which has yellowed over time. How to Clean Your Guitar's Finish. 55. Then go a bit finer after the initial flatting, anything from 400-600 will be ideal. The guitar now has six to eight topcoats of clear lacquer. Find a hidden area like the control cavity and rub a small spot with a Q-Tip dipped in acetone. It takes me between 4 and 6 weeks to complete the finish on a guitar. It is the used . How do I know if my guitar has nitrocellulose lacquer finish? Basically a lacquer guitar will age, a poly finished guitar will mostly look new. Polyurethane and lacquer both form a protective layer over the wood, and both add a nice glow to it. Polyurethane is harder to repair, and some don't like the slight plastic feel. Urethane is far more durable, scratch resistant and easy to work with. However, the word "polyurethane" in the name leads me to believe that IS a poly finish. This makes it ideal for flooring, particularly if you have big dogs or small children who will be particularly hard on your floors. A lower gloss level will show fewer scratches and less wear and tear over time. If you want to apply a finish to an instrument, try one of the aerosol cans such as Behlens nitro or Watco's. instrument finish. I changed strings and set it up myself, and now it seems even better. Maximum resistance respecting the sound. It's easier to repair, and feels a bit better once it's cured. December 1, 2021 Peter. Geoff, the owner of this Fender Jazz Bass, says "It plays fine but I don't really like the color." (No argument from me on that.) Again, there is poly, and there is poly, and yet again, poly. It is used on guitar bodies and other musical instruments among other items. The finish is . Invented in 1921 by the DuPont chemical company for the auto industry, nitro was the first spray-on paint, and it was quickly adopted by the furniture and . If what you are looking for is to protect your guitar and achieve a durable finish with classic colors, your choice is polyurethane guitar lacquer, a 2-component product that offers maximum resistance and quick drying while respecting the sound and vibration of wood. It is also more water-resistant than lacquer too - as lacquer can be easily damaged by moisture. polyurethane is more durable. Using a hair dryer or heat gun and a flexible putty knife (Photo 3) is the best way to cleanly and easily strip polyurethane finishes of this type. In this video we discuss the differences between polyurethane and nitrocellulose lacquer, specifically as they apply to guitar finishing.Remember that nitroc. Best of all, an infinite colour palette was opened up. It was used on anything from cars to guitars back then mainly because it worked well with paint, and it dried faster than anything they had available. They pretty much do the same job. New lacquer guitars feel too sticky to me. It was stated on the listing that the guitar has been serviced by the luthier and it looked like it was - it was set up with a shimmed neck. The new lacquer dried even faster, and it could be applied using spray guns. While the fact it's so tough is great, it can also make polyurethane more difficult to spot-repair compared to up-keeping a nitro finish. 71. Guitar Finishes. You can get the same results by spraying a full wet coat of thinned-down lacquer. Lacquer, polyurethane, polyester (poly), even nitro / nitrocellulose finishes - for the best results ever; Apply by hand and wipe off to restore your guitar finish like a pro! It is best used when you want to give a project a natural finish. 3. ALLOW THE LACQUER TO FULLY CURE. It made good wheels, boats, weapons, shields, siding, roofing and furniture. Modern guitar finishes include linear urethane, a durable, two-part polyurethane that is easy to apply, cures fast and is relatively low in VOCs; two-part conversion varnish (also called catalyzed lacquer); cross-linked acrylics; and two- or three-part polyester finishes that are water clear and make a film as tough as your kitchen counter. Polyurethane or Lacquer (close 2nd place) Best for Outdoors: Varnish-Spar Urethane-Detailed information on each Topcoat-SHELLAC: Shellac is a natural product. The difference in the two are night and day. A nitrocellulose guitar finish is applied multiple times over several days, with each coat essentially melting the previous one. Regarding the application costs, polyurethane beats lacquer without a doubt. REVEAL THE BEAUTY OF THE WOOD OF YOUR GUITAR AND MAKE IT UNIQUE WITH OUR TRANSPARENT PAINT SET USING POLYURETHANE VARNISH AND DYE.This painting set contains all you need to paint your guitar kit in translucent with 1 color by using dye and polyurethane varnish with his hardener. Bass by Steve Davis, Albuquerque, NM, finished with EM6000. There are two kinds of polyurethane: oil-based and water-based. It's easier to repair, and feels a bit better once it's cured. Why does guitar finish crack? That changed with the development of nitrocellulose lacquer in the early 1920s. When I do a high gloss finish I will sand the guitar up to grit 600. Polyurethane guitar finishes are more durable and less susceptible to fading, chips and scratches compared to nitrocellulose finishes. Get it Fri, May 6 - Tue, May 10. It is extremely hard to sand off by hand or with power sanders. It's easy to sand through the edges. Spray a wet coat of pure lacquer thinner on a surface that has cracks, orange peel or roughness. Polyurethane/acrylic lacquer is one of the toughest lacquers available. These properties together with its high transparency give a sense of depth of the film in the unsurpassed guitar nitrocellulose, shellac or water based. Some changes state in air and cant really be "reflowed" but will craze with acetone (ie, lacquer thinner). How Do You Remove Polyurethane From A Guitar? Guitar Scratch Remover Polishes: changing how the world polishes guitars Remove guitar scratches for good! Everything happens inside the workshop: from preparing the woods, spraying the finish, final assembly and setup to your personal preferences! $29.98 ($2.31/Ounce) In Stock. Problem 4: Scratch-Resistance In short, polyurethane is more durable because it is a tough nut to crack. 5.0 out of 5 stars 13. $19.99. View attachment 132177 ToneRanger. What brands of guitars are finished with nitrocellulose lacquer? How long before I can do final sand and polish? Lacquer ages, and aquires the cool worn in look. Luthier's Tips & Tricks #13 - Poly and Lacquer, do's and don'ts. Lacquer ages, and aquires the cool worn in look. Clear Satin Item # 3882 In stock, ready to ship! Lacquer has changed a lot and comes in a lot of different mixes these days. Your DIY furniture paints are polyurethane in the strict sense, which is a different beast to two pack/urethane, aka 'poly' in the guitar world. There may be a high gloss, a dull, flat finish, or somewhere in between ("satin"). Our Nitorlack lacquer is available in 500mL can with 250mL of hardener. Polyurethane also ages well and offers more protection than all the coatings we've mentioned so far, so it is a popular choice among modern guitar luthiers. In addition to all kinds of packaging we have polyurethane varnish for guitars to achieve maximum hardness and shock resistance without losing sound. Flammable: Cannot ship by air or outside the USA. Urethane is dried by chemicals and can be ready to buff out in just a few days. After full application, the solvent chemicals are left to fully dissolve; leaving a dry resin-like texture. I used the minwax brush on lacquer, applied 3 light coats and a final heavy coat. (I have used acrylic lacquer, acrylic enamel, water based urathane, 2 stage urathane, nitro, and other . For this project, we will be removing an existing polyurethane finish and refinishing the guitar with nitrocellulose lacquer in aerosol cans, for convenience. There are different types of polyurethane. It was plentiful, easy to work and available in all useful sizes. Nitrocellulose Lacquer. This means: sanding. Polyurethane 2 components guitar lacquer. Nitro finishes are typically seen on older or high-end guitars. At Wel Guitars I build handmade guitars in my small workshop! The lacquer is compromised of nitrocellulose and solvents which ensures it is the appropriate consistency to spray onto the wood. The nitorcellulose allows the finish to wear, in the road worn look, where as in 30 years, a guitar with a polyurethane finish will look more of less the same as it did the day it was purcahsed (there are obviously limitations to this). It brushes on really well, level sands nicely and has a silky feel to it. Polyurethane Nitorpol Lacquer finish Two component polyurethane finish, excellent body, hardness and elasticity. . ColorTone Tinted Aerosol Guitar Lacquer 2-Tone Tobacco Sunburst Spray Set. Polyurethane/Polyester These two are both plastic-based finishes. FREE Shipping by Amazon. Store bought guitars have a 2-part finish, a sort of epoxy finish that is also a poly urethane. Polyurethane can be used both indoors and outdoors, while lacquer can only be used indoors. Polyurethane became commercially successful thanks to it being safer, cheaper and easier to apply than nitrocellulose, requiring just two layers to produce a glossy, even finish. Watch later. If you study a Fender Stratocaster or Gibson Les Paul guitar, what you discover is that all the guitar body is finished--typically with multiple layers of varnish, lacquer, or something--including the wood underneath the pick guard and so forth, and this is done to prevent the guitar body from absorbing moisture from the air, as well as from . This item: ColorTone Tinted Aerosol Guitar Lacquer, Vintage Amber. Example specs Body: Ash Finish: Polyurethane . Lacquer is a pretty general term that actually describes a few different finishes. Copy link. Only show this user. Remove all the lumps, crevices, cracks and whatnots, so the lacquer can be sprayed evenly. What is the average time it takes to lacquer a guitar? It is thick and leaves a thick layer of protection. Let the finish dry overnight. With the Rust-Oleum 1906830 Lacquer Spray, we are offered three options, which are black, white, and clear. This finishing set contains what you need to get the results shown on the picture: a bottle of dye and 1Liter of . If you are looking for a finish that can be used inside and outside, polyurethane is the better option. Also any tips you guys can share. But one thing is for sure, a cardboard sounding guitar is not worth very much. Lacquer has a more "plastic" look than polyurethane and is not as glossy. More recently, however, the world of guitar making has seen better quality polyester, polyurethane, and other finishes that are beginning to rival this standard. The design for the nitrocellulose lacquer found on many of the vintage . To get the best guitar finish for his creations, David says, "I use EM1000 Universal Sanding Sealer, EM6000 WB Production Lacquer -and I wet sand and hand buff after I have enough coats.". Shopping. ColorTone Aerosol Guitar Lacquer. We have already examined the different kinds of lacquer. Rust-Oleum 1906830 Lacquer Spray. 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