Squier Paint Job in Process...

C

CookSDR

New member
I've been working on this one today. It's a 20th Anniversary Squire that I took down to the bare wood. It's got three coats of lacquer, one buff, and a fourth coat that will sit tonight. Right now, it's drinking up the lacquer/sealer. I plan on getting up tomorrow and going at it again with some .0000 steel wool, then layering it up again.

I'll take any tips from anyone with spray gun experience out there. It's my first time clear coating with a gun/compressor and I'm going for a thin gloss finish on this one. I'm using a finishing gun at 40 PSI. From what I've researched, I'm in the right direction but could use some feedback before I go at it again tomorrow.

The BIG question I have right now is how many coats are advisable in between buffs? Like I said, I'm three, a buff with .0000 steel wool, and a fourth coat that is sitting over night.

So should I buff in the morning, or keep layering the lacquer? If so, how many coats...?

This one is one of my charity guitars, so I want a good finish :-) Appreciate any assisitance!
 
Re: Squier Paint Job in Process...

what kind of lacquer are you using? Lacquer doesnt require sanding between coats. Once you have the body sealed and flat, you just spray the desired amount of coats.
depending on what kind of lacquer it is, you could spray anywhere from 5-15 coats total. You normally have to wait around 1 hour between coats, and up to a month for it to dry. Which is why i really hate lacquer.
 
Re: Squier Paint Job in Process...

Watco Clear Lacquer from Woodcraft. It's a lacquer/sealer. I was buffing in between coats because that's what I'm used to using Tru-Oil. It dries in 30 minutes, but it's $16.00 a quart. All of my True-Oil finishes always wind up with some type of "bubbles" in the final finish, which is why I'm moving into the spray gun.

So do you suggest to keep laying it on and skip the buffing/sanding?
 
Re: Squier Paint Job in Process...

Well, "dry" in 30 mintues usually means dry to the touch. not cured. All lacquers take up to a month to fully cure.
It should be full burn in. Meaning it melts into the previous coat. Which is why you dont need to sand between coats.
Spray 5 coats, 20 minutes apart and see where that gets you.
 
Re: Squier Paint Job in Process...

I use acrylic lacquer. Its hard for me to recommend anything without seeing and feelings the finish.

I usually do a few coats and let it dry over night, Then i give it a oil back with kerosine or soapy water, Then re coat let dry for a 3 hours then do more, Next day i will oil it back again and repeat. When i am happy with the results i usually wet in the last coat with thinners.

After about 3 days i use cutting compound and a dry buff/polish.

In painting preparation is everything especially if you are looking for a high gloss finish. i ALWAYS seal the grain first with a good sanding sealer, I also do undercoating and guide coats all prior to starting.
 
Re: Squier Paint Job in Process...

kramersteen said:
I use acrylic lacquer. Its hard for me to recommend anything without seeing and feelings the finish.

I usually do a few coats and let it dry over night, Then i give it a oil back with kerosine or soapy water, Then re coat let dry for a 3 hours then do more, Next day i will oil it back again and repeat. When i am happy with the results i usually wet in the last coat with thinners.

After about 3 days i use cutting compound and a dry buff/polish.

In painting preparation is everything especially if you are looking for a high gloss finish. i ALWAYS seal the grain first with a good sanding sealer, I also do undercoating and guide coats all prior to starting.
Click to expand...

I definitely agree on the guide coats. I do that each time I start. The lacquer I'm using is a Lacquer/Sealer, so that's why it's drinking into the wood.

Good tips and love your work!
 
Re: Squier Paint Job in Process...

CookSDR said:
I definitely agree on the guide coats. I do that each time I start. The lacquer I'm using is a Lacquer/Sealer, so that's why it's drinking into the wood.

Good tips and love your work!
Click to expand...

No worries man. Why don't you try oiling it back with some kero in between coats? Also on the final coat wet it in with thinners i guarantee it will yield a better result.
 
Re: Squier Paint Job in Process...

kramersteen said:
No worries man. Why don't you try oiling it back with some kero in between coats? Also on the final coat wet it in with thinners i guarantee it will yield a better result.
Click to expand...

I was actually planning on doing that today ;-) I did that with Tru-oil and got really good results! Thanks again, I'm heading into the shop!
 
Re: Squier Paint Job in Process...

I'll have a pic of it up later tonight! Here's the "before".

DSCF1273.jpg

I laid on five coats as suggested with waiting a little longer in between on coats 4 and 5. WOW!! What a difference a day makes, and this Lacquer/Sealer is a little pricy, but SO much more time saving.

I didn't do the oiling back, but did rub it out with Mineral Spirits before starting the first coat of today, which makes a total of 9. I'm glad I did three, steel wool until it clouded, then a fourth, and let it sit overnight. The wood drank in some more during today's first two coats, but the advice of doing it every 20 minutes was AWESOME on the first three coats. Then 30 minutes inbetween coats 4 and 5.

I'll have it up later tonight! I want to let it set for awhile.
 
Re: Squier Paint Job in Process...

Here's where it's at as of tonight...I've got a blemish on the lower horn, but can work that out. I plan on a wet sand, a couple of more coats, and a buff to finish it off. Overall, VERY happy with this one and the pic doesn't do justice. Flash is too strong.

DSCF1279.jpg
 
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