For the last couple of projects, I switched to water based lacquers by emtech. I used EM6000 quite extensively, learned to prep with it, shoot it, buff it etc. The learning curve was steep but I did end up being able to shoot nice finishes with it.
My problem with the EM6000 is that it always had problems, even when shot properly, according to spec (yes, I have the proper temp, film thickness and all that):
1) Scratches and dings have a white-ish imprint that really shows under certain light.
2) Blue tint over any slightly dark colour
3) Fixes are not invisible like with nitro.
4) Finish can crack because of wood movement (saw this on two guitars - it is slight, but its there, and there's no way to fix it, including re-melting the finish).
So I'm done with the water-based stuff.
I'm refinishing two guitars that were darker because of all the problems above.
for these two guitars, I'd like to do a quick and dirty job but that will look like a million bucks.
I have some leftover McFadden's lacquer from a couple of years ago that I could shoot but I'm really worried that it would be past its shelf life.
For just two guitars (I'm going to do one at a time), I'd like to avoid getting the compressor/ spray gun out.
I'm really tempted to try Mohawk's rattle can lacquer and see how it works. Again, the rattle can route is just so much simpler for doing just one guitar, I'd rather do this for these two guitars, unless you guys think the mcfadden's is still good?