Rattle cans

[Tim Benware]

You guys that use nitro from rattle cans - approximately how many coats can one get on the guitar body (not including the neck) from one can?

[ken cierp]

That's a good question -- I'd say three wet coats. I figure four cans -- did I mention I like Watco?

[TonyinNYC]

I never counted coats per can, but I did use 5 cans on the last guitar I rattle canned.

[Tim Benware]

Thanks that helps. Gotta guy who only wants 3 coats on the guitar.

[TonyinNYC]

Good luck leveling the finish! I don't recall the percent of solids in the brushing lacquer, but I bet it is lower in the aerosol cans. When I brush it, each wet coat dries to about .001". The brushed wet coats are definitely thicker than the sprayed wet coats. I bet you wind up with .0001" thick dry coats. Doesn't seem like enough to level even if your finish prep is flawless. One slip of the sanding block and you will have sand throughs to fix. Maybe French Polish the top?

Now, if you are saying he wants three winter coats, well, that would be silly. How can you play a guitar that is buried under coats? Even a light wind breaker would almost completely muffle the sound.

[Tim Benware]

Yeah, he wants it super light. So it's going to get 1 coat vinyl sealer sand 2 top coats (vinyl for the rain, top coat for the cold):)

[Kyle Barbour]

Could french polish be a better option if he wants a thinner finish? Not as much worries about leveling the finish on fp. Better chances of burning through the thin finish when buffing it also with nitro. Just a thought.