Is this the right stuff?

[Bainzy]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/500ml-CLEAR-LACQUER-CELLULOSE_W0QQitemZ8075190090QQihZ019QQcategoryZ30923QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

do my eyes deceive me, or is this the exact same nitrocellulose paint that can be used for guitars?


and would these be good products to go with it?:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chestnut-Spray-Cellulose-Sanding-Sealer-Woodturning_W0QQitemZ120003143767QQihZ002QQcategoryZ3126QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/L-K-2-TUBES-RED-CELLULOSE-STOPPER-L-K_W0QQitemZ230000701103QQihZ013QQcategoryZ30923QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (good for filling scratches/grain/dents in the wood?)


I've noticed you can't find "nitrocellulose" paint anywhere on the net, but if you search for just "cellulose" tonnes of stuff comes up.

[Dakine]

In a word, NO!
Thats a aerosol of the stuff I was trained to spray cars with, i.e. Cellulose paint, NOT nitro!

Nitro is a raw material in the productaion of smokeless powder, hence (at least in part) it's public rareity.

Also, like many such paints it can be quite dangerous to the ill equipped individual.

Are you wanting to re-finish or spot/touch-up. I know where you can buy nitro touchup paint and lacquer.

Nick

[Bainzy]

It's for a body refinish. The only places I've seen Nitrocellulose paint available for sale here are Manchester Guitar Tech and DM-Guitars; both of which would cost me at least £45 to refinish this guitar body.

What's the big difference between cellulose and nitrocellulose then in terms of a finish? Do they both have the same properties (ie. prone to checking, let the wood move more and sound better with age, dull after time etc).

[Sifu Ben]

craft supplies soundwood department do it. Not sure how much though.

[Dakine]

Try checking reranch.com, goods details there.
Much (in my mind) is to do with 'mojo','voodoo','nose turning' etc.
It was the paint available (new on block) that Gibson et. all started to use. Then like many things of the time (lead paint,asbestos,lead wiring) was found to be 'left wanting', hence poly finishes. Many will argue about tonal quality and repair, i.e. nitro sounds better though MUCH thinner, poly is more resiliant but stifles guitar.
I think it's abit like the ford/chevy fender/gibson argument, no-one is RIGHT.
If ya finish the wood right,sanding,filling (if needed) and apply enough coats, esp. lacquer, it will look GREAT, don't get hung up on the absolute choice of paint type.

[Bainzy]

It's impossible to get places like reranch to ship to the UK though; you can't ship aerosols abroad as they tend to explode on planes.

I've been using nitrocellulose and it seems really good stuff, but it's over three times as expensive as acrylic stuff here. I wouldn't mind mixing it myself and applying it with a spray gun if I could get it cheaper that way.

[Dakine]

Sorry,was using reranch for info.
If it needs to be nitro, cannot help ya, sorry.
Poly finish is on my JP6 and is very good (nitro is illegal in California, hence poly use).
In fact, only think Gibson conts. with nitro on mass now.

[R/2e]

Bainzy, try http://www.morrells-woodfinishes.com/productguide.pdf
The only downside is you have to buy in 5 litre cans but they usually deliver free of charge. It's good stuff and the only clear lacquer I use, code 2901/300. If you're going to buy spray gear, check out http://www.earlex.com/html/subcat.php?id=5&cid=
The Earlex spray stations are more than adequate, I have three of them, two cheapos (£50 or thereabouts from Homebase) with plastic guns for block colour and clear lacqure and one decent one with metal gun (£200 from Machinemart) which has more adjustment and is ideal for bursts, etc. Partco (check your local yellow pages) sell suitable anti bloom Tetrosyl Cellulose Thinners. If you need solid colours, send me a PM and I'll put you in touch with my local paint man who will ship to you, or you can buy pigment in powder form and mix your own. Worth getting if you're thinking of going into this is the refinishing book from www.stewmac.com.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Bainzy
The Simoniz stuff is the same as the old Spectra cellulose paint and I have used that in the past with good results. It is the one that Melvyn Hiscox recommended in his guitar making book.

It may not be nitro but will work ok

You have to be careful mixing and matching types of paint though - they can react

[Bainzy]

Interesting - thanks guys, I think that pretty much clears it up.

I'm not particuarly fussed what finish the paint is, as long as it has the effect of letting the wood "breathe" and age with time. Theoretically though nitrocellulose wouldn't do that because of the nitro but because of the cellulose; therefore cellulose paints should be ok?  :?

[Dakine]

The paint itself has less to do with this than the sealer, i.e. lacquer. Spend some time researching this and you should be fine.