erikbojerik Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 What is and is not "lacquer"? Maybe just a nitpick, maybe not....but this occurred to me as I was reading the "Precatalyzed lacquer" thread. From talking to various finishing guys, I get the impression that the list of finishes that can be accurately described as "lacquer" is a very small one....namely, only nitrocellulose or other cellulose derivatives. The guys I consult with tell me that in order to be called a "lacquer", the material must be nitro (or similar cellulose derivative) and have the property that successive coats chemically melt into each other, to a degree that prohibits the formation of "witness lines" that result when consecutive coats do not melt into each other. They tell me this has to do not only with the solvent, but also the fact that cured nitro can still be dissolved (attacked) by the solvents in the next succeeding coats. Does this sound kosher to all y'all? If this definition of "lacquer" is correct, then I don't know of ANY catalyzed finishes that would qualify as a lacquer....as far as I know they all require some scuff sanding between coats. Is there such a thing as catalyzed nitro? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar2005 Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 The guys I consult with tell me that in order to be called a "lacquer", the material must be nitro (or similar cellulose derivative) and have the property that successive coats chemically melt into each other, to a degree that prohibits the formation of "witness lines" that result when consecutive coats do not melt into each other. They tell me this has to do not only with the solvent, but also the fact that cured nitro can still be dissolved (attacked) by the solvents in the next succeeding coats. That's the way I understand it... but i'm no expert on finishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattharris75 Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 This pretty much lays out all the details: Wiki page for lacquer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikbojerik Posted January 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 This pretty much lays out all the details: Wiki page for lacquer Well if that were true, then I wouldn't have posted the question after reading it. Its a fine history with a bit of chemistry thrown in, but doesn't really answer the question about which materials allow the melting of successive coats without sanding between. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drak Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 I would consult with the Flexner book, 'Understanding Wood Finishes'. I think he spells it out very clearly. He goes over and explains EVERY finish, so you understand lacquer, and you understand all the other finishes as well, so you know where lacquer ends and something else begins and why that is. He explains catalyzed lacquer as well in quite excellent detail, so you understand why you can have witness lines in a lacquer product. Most excellent book, takes all the mystery and internet-guessing out of it. http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Wood-F...r/dp/0762101911 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenspoke Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 (edited) Again no expert and never never used catalyzed lacquer. But even in the water based versions now on the market they can be called lacquer because they can burn into (melt down) even old coats of nitro. So technically they are lacquer. I know this does not really answer your question but I figured I would add what little I know about it to the discussion. Edited January 19, 2008 by Woodenspoke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drak Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 Water-based lacquer is ALSO explained in detail in the book mentioned above. Buy the book already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avengers63 Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 Water-based lacquer is ALSO explained in detail in the book mentioned above. Buy the book already. +87 The book was/is absolutely invaluable to me. Completely unbiased information - no agenda other than to inform. LOTS of myths are debunked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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