gloss finishing

[Aceman]

I'm gearing up for my next Vendetta project...

What about using a can of spray lacquer over krylon, etc...? I really want to get a shiny finish.

Tips, hints, suggestions?

[80's_Metal]

use lots of thin coats that just barely wet the entire surface and give it lots of time to dry... or use the quick dry stuff....
I like spray poly better but thats just me

[ItsaBass]

Reranch sells spray can nitro lacquer, and colors as well, so you don't need to worry about compatibility with Krylon if you get those. The quality of the finish is all about prep, and polishing/leveling between coats. A kick-ass finish takes lots of time, mos of it spent "watching lacquer dry," literally.

You can also probably rent the spray equipment if you want the best possible quality.

[Chris of Arabia]

Have you not had your 'gloss' re-finished often enough already?

[muttznmongrelz]

I cannot say enough good things about Nitrocellulose. Super easy to use, finishes beautifully and easily.

[CTN]

key to getting high gloss finish: very high grit wetsanding(work your way from 600 to 2000 or higher), then use polishing compouds in successive grades, and then swirl remover.

and patience. the wet sanding is the most important step, and also the longest and most pain-in-the-arse-ish

[JOLLY]

You're obsessed with gloss.

[TheLivingDead]

You found a way to make a gloss thread in the guitar room.

[jaybonitrane]

Didn't we already have this discussion about being a puddler?

[GuitarDoc]

Lacquer on top of Krylon will give you a krinkle finish if you're not very careful. And I mean VERY thin coats with LOTS of time inbetween coats. 10 coats, and then begin the finishing/polishing process.

I wouldn't do it, myself.

[jmh151]

I've tried a few times, havent been happy with the results if your goal is a PRS finish.

[dominus]

Krylon is an enamel, so

[GuitarDoc]

^. Exactly! That's why you end up with a krinkle finish if you try to put lacquer on top of it.

[Aceman]

Dangit. I just want something that looks shiny on top!

I tried a basic version on The Chops Builder. Nice enough finish. But hardly glossy. A nice satin if anything, which really worked well for that.

But i need some shine. Poly someone said? Do tell...

[uOpt]

The shine actually comes from the clear coats on top. It doesn't matter much what you do to the color layers under it.

[dominus]

Dangit. I just want something that looks shiny on top!

I tried a basic version on The Chops Builder. Nice enough finish. But hardly glossy. A nice satin if anything, which really worked well for that.

But i need some shine. Poly someone said? Do tell...

[jmh151]

I'm using Rust oleum Acrylic Lacquer rattle can to clear coat the PRS autograph on my control plate. It's coming out ok, not PRS quality. If you do dry coats followed by wet it comes out ok, except for any airborne dust and eventual orange peel. Buffing it out after is tricky, as well as waiting for it to fully cure to buff out

[Bfeeney]

USE AUTOMOTIVE CLEAR COAT!!!!!!! Two coats, wetsand, buff, done, 2 hours. With the spay can (crap) you have to put on massive layers, sanding each layer which takes FOREVER (less play time). Auto clear is high-build so you only need 1-3 coats and since it's for cars you know it's strong. I saw Duplicolor has quarts (I think, maybe pint) for $25 at the local auto part store and that will problably do 2 or 3 guitars.

[dominus]

USE AUTOMOTIVE CLEAR COAT!!!!!!! Two coats, wetsand, buff, done, 2 hours. With the spay can (crap) you have to put on massive layers, sanding each layer which takes FOREVER (less play time). Auto clear is high-build so you only need 1-3 coats and since it's for cars you know it's strong. I saw Duplicolor has quarts (I think, maybe pint) for $25 at the local auto part store and that will problably do 2 or 3 guitars.

That's lacquer.

He wants to use enamel for his base color.

NO.
NO.
NO.

[cohibacris]

Dangit. I just want something that looks shiny on top!

I tried a basic version on The Chops Builder. Nice enough finish. But hardly glossy. A nice satin if anything, which really worked well for that.

But i need some shine. Poly someone said? Do tell...

Your local wood supply shop should have sprayers of regular or nitro lacq; my experience in finishing wood working products is many thin coats with no more than 5 minutes in between - lacquer flashes really quick, which will be the next tip.

Seal off a space with plastic sheeting where a window is available. get a cardboard box and one or two cheapo housefilters with a box fan and make a suction unit that will pickup any airborn particulate - Use a mask for yourself!

The most important things about this are -1. ensuring the lacq coats 'glue' together and with tack coating you can get that. 2 - the 'booth' is a little cost and hassle but you'll thank yourself in the end.

1a is the wet sanding - from 300, 600, 1200, 1800 and 3000. Always use a buck or a mounting block for the paper and never your fingertips. Keep at it until you have it. If you're lazy, impatient, etc and have the cash, take it to the autobody place of your choosing and supply the nitro lacq or ask them to shoot it with clear coat 10-12 times and buff finish it. The abrasives are how Warmoth and the manuf. can finish a guitar relatively quick is they have the gear to short circuit the sanding and polish process.

Hope this helps - a holdover from furniture building days!