Official Luthiers Forum!

I see S/M has nitro in can. Om is my ist guitar and am wondereng if I would be able to spray a quality finish with this product untill I tool up with spraying equipment. Also, do you spray and sand top w/ filler.

Apparently Deft makes a spray can of nitro that is supposed to be pretty good. Don't know how good compared to McFadden's, but decent anyway.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Yes you can, Take your time and prep well. Remember prep is everything. Practice on some scrap and work on keeping the build up light and as even as possible. A little tip, turn the can upside down and spray until nothing comes out after ever session. This will keep the nozzel from cloging. Keep in mind that the spray pattern is not as fine or consistant as with a spray gun, So you may need to build more and level sand more than you would if you were set-up to spray. A lot of first timers have had good success with StewMac's spray finish.

If you are using a non- porious wood such as spruce or cedar for the top you do not need to fill but you should us a sanding sealer before building the film.

Thanks for your reply. Why isn't an oil finish preferred by many luthiers?

Oil soaks into the wood, and has the potential to dampen vibrations. Love it on electrics, wouldn't hesitate to use it on necks, probably get away with it on back/sides, but I wouldn't want it near tops.

I use S/M spray can laquer when I don't feel like getting all my equipment "dirty" for a small repair job. It works o.k. but doesn't atomize as well as a compressor/gun combo. I also use a high quality rechargable can (check out McMaster Carr). that seems to do a better job than the "regular" can. It seems to spit less and of course last longer as the capacity it higher. Harbor Freight also sells these re-chargeable cans but I have not used them and can't say whether or not they work well...they are alot cheaper ( $25 vs. $6).

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

I've never used it, but I am told the Stew-Mac lacquer in a rattle can crazes like mad (or crazes like crazy).

I had a "Crazy"problem on my #2& #3. The birdseye maple guitar just chipped off the middle of the back near where my belt buckle would be. Hmmm....Okay maybe my fault....Also chipped in other spots.

I quickly started out of the gate wanting a decent apraying setup. Bought a compressor and Jamb gun, along with a Badger gun. I've since prurchased a couple HVLP set ups, and they're great. (justified for my paint contracting business, you know )

I have not tried waterboure yet (at least not since Hydrocote first came out. THAT stuff made me feel like I'd been robbed. It crazed horribly, wouldn't buff, and I just couldn't get the knack of it. The write ups were so positive though.

You'll see people on both sides of the fence regarding waterbourne products and Nitro. I'm definitely going to give KTM-9 a try.

Get a couple spray cans and give it a try on scrap!

Terry give KTM-9 a try I think you will like it. Targets new formula is pretty good I here as well. Waterborne has come a long way.