Can I sand, buff and polish my color nitro finish coats instead of clear?

[salmal]

Hey folks, I'm in the process of refinishing my '82 Gibson Challenger 2 in TV yellow nitro lacquer. I've used two cans from the guys at Reranch and probably has about 10 coats total on the body now. I'm curious to hear back if I can just finish from here successfully - wet sand, buff, polish- without applying a can of clear lacquer and finishing that instead. Color and clear are both lacquer so I don't see why not if I let the color coat cure well and take care when wet sanding and finishing. I have clear lacquer but my problem is I noticed after one clear coat that I can't completely control not having some tiny particles settle in the clear. I don't have a pro spraying environment and because the TV yellow is so light it is hard to hide the random unwanted tiny dark lint like fibers. I know they are there and that will bug me. Anyone have a similar experience? I'm inclined to think that I'm ok to finish the color lacquer. I'm going for a vintage type finish in any case. Just wanted some outside opinions and advise.

Thanks and happy new year!

 

[ICTGoober]

Re: Can I sand, buff and polish my color nitro finish coats instead of clear?

Cleanliness is next to godliness when shooting finishes of any kind. Static buildup is the cause, so do your best to eliminate those sources. I've been spraying acrylic and nitrocellulose lacquer since the late 70's, and my routine continues to work towards the best finishes possible.

First - wear a cap or get a hair net. Get naked! I'm serious - lots of dust and crap on your clothes. I used to shoot in my underwear. Now I wear a Tyvek bunny suit.

Body shops used to run a hose across the floor before spraying to keep down the dust. You can sprinkle some water, or mist the floor with a spray bottle. Don't flood the place! Raising the humidity will make the lacquer blush (absorb moisture from the air).

Make sure whatever you hang your guitar parts on is grounded.... Easy to do with just a wire or a chain hanging to the floor - make sure it runs to the side out of your way when spraying. Body shops used to hang a chain over the frame and lay the end on the concrete floor.

Goes without saying - filters. Filter the paint before putting it in your gun, filter the air before it leaves your spray gun (as it leaves the compressor), filter the air coming into your spray booth, filter the air leaving your spray booth.

Do a little more research on the subject. Believe it, or not - when I started years ago I sprayed in a horse barn with a dirt floor, and did some fabulous finishes because I listened to my local paint supplier's advice. My first pro finish for a client was a pearl white ES-330 with a load of clear. Over 35 years later, the guy still plays it here in town and it looks good (worn, but good). Yes - I had to sand a bug or two out of the clear and start over, but I never told the owner because my repair was terrific. That's another thing - bugs love the smell of lacquer.... Plan accordingly, and GOOD LUCK!

 

[RogerMexiko]

Re: Can I sand, buff and polish my color nitro finish coats instead of clear?

Yes, you should use the nitro clear coat. If you don't want the mirror like finish stop at 1500 in your wet sanding and just give it a light going over with finesse it II.