Video of brushing Nitro Lacquer

[ken cierp]

If I recall correctly the label on the can says "do not thin" maybe that's changed?

Tony --- back when you were just starting out, I remember you contacted me about bubbles in the Gloss Deft being a problem -- how was that finally resolved?

[TonyinNYC]

If I recall correctly the label on the can says "do not thin" maybe that's changed?

Tony --- back when you were just starting out, I remember you contacted me about bubbles in the Gloss Deft being a problem -- how was that finally resolved?

I never read instructions Ken!
OK...so I read yours about a dozen times before ordering a guitar, but normally, I don't read them. Thinning has not proven to eb an issue for me. I think they advise not to thin because it will take more coats to achieve the desired film thickness, but I can add more coats. I am not in a rush.

The bubble issue turned out to be a brush issue. I was using a more expensive brush at first. I think I paid about $25 for it at some specialty paint store. I was getting tons of bubbles. This was only with the gloss, not with the semi gloss I had used previously. That did not give me any issue, but I used a cheap brush with that too!
Anyway, There were so many bubbles in the wet finish, I was very concerned. I tried to tease them out with a corner of the brush. That worked a bit, but was time consuming and messed up the smooth finish.
I switched back to a $5.00 brush when I dropped the good one on the floor full of lacquer. Rather than clean it, I just grabbed a new one to finish the coat. The new one was the cheap brush and it applied the finish with no bubbles. So I tossed the expensive one and carried on with a $5.00 Shipmate brand brush. Crises averted.

[Jackspt28]

I have three coats of Deft gloss brushing laquer on so far. Looks decent although I didn't really get it untill the third coat, I was overworking it with the brush. Tony and Ken both recommended to "lay the finish on" I finally caught on after the second coat. I bought a 15 dollar china bristle brush, couldn't find the one Tony was using in the video. I do get some bubbles but not many, maybe i need a different brush. I like the simplicity of just brushing ,and theres no paint Gun clean up or overspray everywhere. You definately need to use a mask, I did one coat without my mask and had a sore throat the next day. I use my painters mask now and don't smell anything at all. I will level sand (320 grit?? dry??) and then apply two to three more coats. Hopefully then i can set it aside to harden and then finall sand and polish. Picture below was after third coat had dryed. Thanks, Jack

[TonyinNYC]

When you level, you can use 320 grit, but once all of the coats are on, I would not start with such a low grit. The finish will appear to be all nice and smooth like glass once you go up to 1500 grit, but when you buff and polish it, you will see the sanding scratches from the lower grits. DAMHIKT. Ken recommends you start sanding with 1000 grit, and while it takes longer than starting with 600 grit wet/dry, it certainly results in a glassy smooth surface with no deep scratches appearing after buffing.
Also, I do not sand higher than 1500 grit. I see no need to do any extra work if you are going to use a buffing compound that will remove the sanding scratches from 1200 grit or higher paper. The Wizard's products Ken recommends will do just that, so why sand to 2000 or 2500 grit? On my first guitar, I did sand to 2500, but I realized afterwards that if I use my RO buffer, or even a foam pad on my cordless drill, I can stop sanding at 1500 and still get a glassy smooth finish. And, since I am fairly lazy and absolutely HATE wet sanding for hours and hours, I gladly take this shortcut.
People who use Menzerna compounds with a buffing arbor don't need to sand higher than 1000 grit and could probably get away with 800!! I am envious of those people but I secretly laugh at them when I read that they sand to 3000 grit and then start buffing with Menzerna medium compound. Its the little things that entertain me. (DaveB, no jokes about my manhood!!)

[Dave Bagwill]

It would be difficult to joke about your manhood.

[TonyinNYC]

That's right.

[Jackspt28]

Ok , so I level sanded after three brushed on coats and made the mistake of sanding through the finish and the zpoxy on one the side near the waist. I went back and rubbed zpoxy on with my finger , made it smooth, let it dry a day and the scuffed the spot with 220. I then sprayed two coats of Deft rattle can clear over the whole guitar, It flowed out like glass, I then noticed the area with the sand through seem to have wrinkled or reacted?? I will let it dry for a couple days and then try to sand it out and retry. Any suggestions !!!