Deft Vs Reranch Clear

[Blueroomstudios]

Hey everyone, I'm starting to put together my supplies for my next project and I am wondering if anyone has an opinion on Deft clear vs. ReRanch clear. I used Deft clear and Deft S&S on my last project and had good results. The ReRanch clear is about 3 times more money than the same size Deft can. Is it really much better?

[Maiden69]

Stay with DEFT is the same thing Nitro! There are just a few items I will buy from Re Ranch but the S&S and clears are not in my list.

[Blueroomstudios]

Thanks Maiden, I'll send the money I save to you. What are the items you would pick up from ReRanch?

[Maiden69]

Specialty colors like the Gold top and the TV yellow, vintage cream (white), the cooper metallic looks great too! But easecialy the Gold Top,

[kench]

Try CLOU from Germany too if you can find it.. I highy, highly recommend it. Much better than the other aerosol nitros I've tried.

CLOU Nitro-lack cans

[wyldbil]

So, somebody tell me about Deft clear nitro. Where do I get it and what is it originally sold to be used for?

Not knowing anything about that, let me throw this in anyway-

StewMac sells clear (and black) rattlecan nitro for about 1/2-1/3 of what ReRanch sells it for. I have had great success using the black and clear StewMac nitro on some of my projects.

Man oh man, I wish StewMac had trans cherry nitro as well!

I hate paying the ReRanch price for that stuff.

[Blueroomstudios]

I get Deft clear and spray sanding sealer at Lowes. It's in the $4.50 to $5.00 range and has worked great for me, I was just wondering if the increase in the Reranch products was worth it in terms of quality of finish. Deft is really available here, works good for me, has an adjustable spray pattern just like the others. I think there site is www.deftfinishes.com

[jay5]

I am also interested in this. I will be doing a black gloss finish when my tele is done (and it warms up) and until now I hadnt planned on using anything other than Reranch stuff. I dont have the money for a compressor/HVLP(?) system so for now its rattle cans. How many cans of clear do you want to use? I was under the impression it was about 3. How about the black?

Blueroom, what type of wood did you use the Deft S&S on? My body is mahogany, should that work?

Thanks!

[Setch]

Several users at the MIMF have reported problems along the line with deft not curing fully, even after several years. Apparently it isn't really nitro, thought it is fairly compatible with it. Advice there was to get something else which is *really* nitro, like Behlens or McFaddens.

[Blueroomstudios]

I'm still real new to all of this so...I did a fabric top project so the Deft clear was going on top of S&S that was on the fabric. The body is alder. I used two cans on the front, leaving a little bit in each can. I did the back and sides in gloss black Dupli color paint and have one can of Deft clear on now. Looks good. As far as curing, I don't know. I let the top sit for a little more than a week. Wet sanded from 400-2000 and hit it with Perfect It and it seemed fine although it still has a slight smell.

[Maiden69]

The last guitar that I did was with the DEFT and it cured amazingly fast. I think all finishes cure if you apply it the right way and not to thick! I was able to pinch the finish with my nail and have no dent in about a week or so. and it is nice and hard, I have been abusing the guitar for the last 3 weeks already, NICE!!!! My next one will be the same.

[jay5]

Can you get Behlens or McFaddens in rattlecan form?

[Devon Headen]

I'm positive I've seen rattlecan Behlen's before.

[Blueroomstudios]

If you can't find it in the aerosol, you could always use those little preval spray units. They are preloaded with aerosol propellant and you supply the product. Stew-Mac sells them.

[Maiden69]

I tried the preval and you have to thin the nitro a lot to make it spray nice. If you are in the states and don't want to use DEFT (still don't know why) you can order the color tone nitro from Stew Mac.

[Blueroomstudios]

as usual Maiden you are wealth of useful and timely information

[Maiden69]

If you hang here for a while and read some of the old threads by doing a few searches once in a while you can learn a lot, and I mean a lot! Also, go to the different sites marked on the main site for supplies, a lot of them, Stew Mac to name one have "how to" sections on the description of the items. Read them! Very handy.

[Blueroomstudios]

you are right. I've learned a ton just looking around. I'm gettimg more and more confident everyday. Great site, great experience.

[thomasteven]

I also agree with these statements, in the last 2-3 weeks since I've signed up I've learned so much about practically everything. I just ordered the neck for my first guitar.

[skibum5545]

My experience with Deft has been great. It seems to dry to the touch within minutes, and be ready for sanding in hours. Obviously, this isn't for buffing, but just light passes of 600 grit between coats. I had great results on a cherry keyboard stand I made a while back.

So, my question's this: is "true" nitro (StewMac) noticeably better than Deft, and is it worth the trouble of seeking out either when I can drive 5 minutes to Murray's Auto parts and pick up some Duplicolor Truck Clear?

[Maiden69]

DEFT is good, I will say better than Duplicolors clear. As for Stews, I don't know and the price is not a big difference, so I can stay with DEFT for now.

[Guitarfrenzy]

One of the best I've tried out of a spray can is the Plasti-kote Super Laquer Clear. It's easy to find at automotive stores also, and is real nitro lacquer. I'm not sure on the Deft products, I'm sure they work great also, just wanted to throw out one more option. Good luck on your project.

[Blueroomstudios]

I am feeling really confident about continuing with Deft. I actually just bought 4 more cans this weekend. Deft is Nitro. On one of Joe's other posts, someone mentioned that they had spoken to a rep from Deft who confirmed this.

[Crazy Carl]

Oops. Nevermind.

Edited March 30, 2005 by Crazy Carl

[Doc]

Hey guys,

Virtually everyting that is discussed in this forum in the way of nitrocellulose lacquer is modified nitrocellulose. You don't need to know what this means. It's all nitro for our purposes.

Deft, and I've sprayed literally hundreds of gallons, doesn't dry quite as hard as some brands, like Behlen or M. L. Campbell or McFadden. The difference is inconsequential.

The rattlecan variety is the best to use for guitar finishing purposes. The gallon can stuff has retarders in it so tht it can be brushed and A) dries too slowly for you impatient types and sometimes will act funny over some sanding sealers and stains.

If you really need a harder than Deft finish the Behlen stuff comes in rattlecans. You can get sanding sealer and lacquer in all degrees of gloss. It is as good as it gets for lacquer.

They also sell cans tinted to various wood tones. It's call "Jet-Spray". You can do a tobacco burst with them and nothing else.

Just a comment. I have a '64 Epiphone FT-79 Texan just like John and Paul's. You know "Yesterday"? It got refinished by me with Deft in 1976 and I defy you to tell that it's not a factory finish. As a matter of fact it has held up better than the original Gibson finish did!! A little wax and it's good as new.

Stick with Deft.