Waterbase Lacquer Vs Nitrocellulose Lacquer

[DIYguitarguy]

I've been spraying my builds with nitrocellulose lacquer, but am considering a switch to something less toxic. Sherwin-Williams has a water based product called Kem Aqua. Has anyone here used this product? Please let me know how your experience with this, or any other water base lacquer has been for you.

Thanks....

[Daniel Sorbera]

I used stewmacs on one guitar. Once. I sanded it off and refinished it in post-cat nitro. The water stuff wasn't as hard or glossy, and it was "foggy".

It was very easy to shoot and sand though.

Edited November 18, 2006 by Godin SD

[fryovanni]

The waterbased laqs are very sensitive to temp. and humidity. If conditions are just right it works good, but it is no where near as flexable as Nitro.

I am limited to what solvents I use. If I have the right conditions and timing I shoot waterbased, otherwise I french polish(which is actually a nice way to go anyhow) . If I had my choice I would shoot nitro for it's flexability.

Peace,Rich

[erikbojerik]

LMI sells a water-based lacquer called KTM-9 that I've heard is very nice. Haven't tried it myself though.

[Drak]

I know there are threads over at the MIMF that probably date back 10-12 years about the tempermentalities of waterbased lacquer, looooong threads, which tells me the learning curve is way more than I'm interested in researching.

[radrobgray]

i used stewmacs water based finish for my first paint job. it looked fine to me, no problems and it seemed really easy to apply. no fog and, although it was soft for about 3 months, now its pretty hard. maybe im just lucky?

[Acousticraft]

I talked to an knowledgeable guy in the store where I bought my Pre-cat lacquer. I asked him about the water based lacquers and he mentioned the whitish finish and that it is a softer finish so they have stopped stocking it and only sell the solvent based lacquers for their harder more durable finish and rapid drying / curing time.

This is the reason I use a particular brand of pre-cat as it does not contain isocyanate's which are pretty nasty chemicals without the proper respirators / spray booth extractor fans etc.

Hey anyone using a HVLP gun and how do you find it?

Edited November 19, 2006 by Acousticraft

[Daniel Sorbera]

I have a SATA minijet 4 HVLP and I love that thing.

[Mattia]

I find shooting Target's USL (ie, StewMac ColorTone) is just fine, easy, no problems, but then I have more experience shooting waterbased than nitro. No fogging, high gloss, good clarity, but it isn't quite as hard as the nitro I've shot from time to time. I'm going to try KTM-9 next, because I really don't have anywhere to (safely) shoot Nitro, and I doubt my neighbours would be wild about the fumes outside...

[DIYguitarguy]

Thanks to all for your input. I suppose the jury may be out on this for me until I try something and see what happens. I'll be out of nitro soon and the KTM-9 product looks promising so I may give it a shot. Ill post my opinion afterwards.

[SwedishLuthier]

I have used the old StewMac water based finish, crystal, and the new one, colortone. The old one was much better. Dried hard and was polished to a much nicer finish. I newer had any problems with fogginess when using that. It could also be applied in much thicker coatings without problems. With the new one I have get a much duller appearance and in the first one I used I got a lot of fogginess because I shot it as thick as the old one. The finish isn’t that hard as the colortone either and it takes longer to dry hard (or as hard as it gets). So if you can find that one go for it. I have a gallon of the KTM-9 standing in the workshop for the next projects but I have not used it yet. I was so disappointed with the last batch of colortone that I will use it to finish anything in the house but guitars.

[Mattia]

I used Crystallac before StewMac switched to Target PSL, and now to USL. USL is, IMO, the best of the three in terms of hardness, looks, and polishing. Only problem I've had with it is on one acoustic guitar. I'm not entirely happy with it, so KTM's the next step, and maybe Target's Polyurethane 'conversion varnish'.

[Daniel Sorbera]

Right now I'm using ML Campbells Krystal clear. It's a conversion post-cat nitro that dries rock hard and is fully cured in 48 hours. I'm having awesome results with this stuff. Other finishes I've tried make wenge look like solid black, but this stuff really brings out the grain. It's really easy to spray, and get this, It's only $22 a gallon.