Acrylic vs. Nitro Lacquer (and a paint question)

I used Nitro Lacquer for all my re-finish jobs. I don't know the specific differences between the two you mentioned, but the Nitro lacquer is pretty widely regarded as the preferred topcoat finish for guitars. I wouldn't buy something at Home Depot. Instead, you should take a look at a local wood store (Woodcraft?) for lacquer.

FYI, one can won't do it if you are spreaying it. I would budget for 2 or 3 cans and MANY coats. With light finishes I prefer to spray the first 4 or 5, sand down, and then start applying thicker coats with a brush from a cannister.

Most definitely check with Pep-boys or other autostore for paint... you can get similar colors at $2.00- $5.00 a can.

And (finally) I wouldn't assume it is Nitro Lacquer just because it says "L A C Q U E R" on the can (in bold black letters on a white background... reminds me of a Simpson's episode where Homer bought a B E E R because they were out of Duffs).

Nitro-cellulose is the preferred finish for guitars, if you can afford to pay for the labour. A properly finished guitar will have up to 30 coats of Nitro lacquer, each one very thin. Nitro is permeable and it supposedly allows the wood to "breathe" and continue to mature over the life of the guitar. Acrylic and polyeurathane coating seals the wood completely.
That's the positive side. The negative is that nitro is very much more sensitive than acrylic or polyeurathane - sweat will slowly dissolve it, which accounts for a lot of the "relicing" of older guitars like SRV's. Nitro also ages - it will start to crack, eventually, like Dutch porcelain, and will also discolour (see Fender's "Vintage White" as an example, that would have started life as something like "Olympic White").

And (finally) I wouldn't assume it is Nitro Lacquer just because it says "L A C Q U E R" on the can (in bold black letters on a white background...

That's the one!

Mmmm, beer.

Thanks for the tip on Woodcraft. I checked their site, and apparently a new store opened not too far from my house. And they've got Deft nitro spray for $5.99/can ... so I can get three of these for the price of one at the ReRanch! Fits the budget much better. :)

Plus my father-in-law is coming into town for Memorial Day, and he's a big woodworker. I'm sure he'd love to take a trip out there.

Mmmm, beer.

Nitro-cellulose is the preferred finish for guitars, if you can afford to pay for the labour.

Strictly a DIY project, but I've got the time. I figured it would take a couple weeks to finish, then several more to cure.
The negative is that nitro is very much more sensitive than acrylic or polyeurathane - sweat will slowly dissolve it, which accounts for a lot of the "relicing" of older guitars like SRV's. Nitro also ages - it will start to crack, eventually, like Dutch porcelain, and will also discolour (see Fender's "Vintage White" as an example, that would have started life as something like "Olympic White").

Interesting, and appealing, in a way.

Thanks!

Personally, I like Nitro finish, even if it is more delicate.

i've finished guitars in acrylic, polyurethane and nitro, personally I prefer acrylic, I find it easier to work with and fairly hard waring but i do see why a lot of people prefer nitro

Do you all wear respirators when you shoot lacquer? I've been reading up on it and, because of the health hazards, am leaning toward poly now ...

However, I did read that the finish of the Highway 1 Fenders is satin acrylic, which I rather like. Ah, so many decisions.

You should wear a mask whenever you spray paint, regardless of type.

ALWAYS wear a mask when spraying, the contents will get around in the air like nobodies business!

I had to spray a small amount indoors the other day and paint particles ended up on the other side of the house, heh. Girlfriend wasn't too impressed.

And (finally) I wouldn't assume it is Nitro Lacquer just because it says "L A C Q U E R" on the can (in bold black letters on a white background...

That's the one!

Mmmm, beer.

Thanks for the tip on Woodcraft. I checked their site, and apparently a new store opened not too far from my house. And they've got Deft nitro spray for $5.99/can ... so I can get three of these for the price of one at the ReRanch! Fits the budget much better. :)

Plus my father-in-law is coming into town for Memorial Day, and he's a big woodworker. I'm sure he'd love to take a trip out there.

Mmmm, beer.

FWIW, I used Deft on the cherry desk I built in my office and it is quite soft. Lots of things leave marks on it.

All good info; thanks. That's curious about the Deft; maybe another reason to use acrylic or poly.