Mohawk lacquer - cure questions

I am finishing a guitar body after using water-based dye, and I used two coats of the pre-catalized sanding sealer from Mohawk

http://www.mohawk-finishing.com/mhk_cds/product_images/m102-0413-1.jpg

waited a couple of hours and then applied 7 light coats of a lacquer called Finisher's Choice Clear Lacquer

http://www.woodfinishersstore.com/product_images/d/759/M102-0540__78982_std.jpg

Before leaving to work (approx 12 hours after the last application), I touched it and smelled it and it had no odor and it was already very hard.

This is the guitar, after the 3rd coat had dried for 30 min.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-axR_99B6BPA/T53X4Qj8_1I/AAAAAAAABoM/nYkPxmIEOQs/s640/body+32.jpg

I will post more photos later when I return home


Is it possible that it is ready for sanding and polishing, or it's wishful thinking ?

It's pretty dry down there, but you want to wait a decent amount of time. 2 to 3 weeks would be ideal in our dry weather...a week or 2 longer if you have the patience.

click it with a fingernail. Listen. Is is a good solid click, like a fingernail on an old slate chalk board (or maybe original paint on a '64 Rambler that has been sitting in the sun)?

You know it when you hear it.

On an area NOT over wood (maybe binding) will that same fingernail leave an impression?

Touch and smell are good indicators. So are the click test and the divot test.

Cheers!

Safest bet is to just wait at least a week, more if you can find the patience. I have in the past made the mistake of rushing it a bit, and was sorry after. Too late !!! It just isn't worth the trouble and mess you could end up with.

Good Luck, Mike

thanks for all the suggestions guys, I will do another 3-6 light coats today, depending on how it looks, and wait for a week and a half to be on the safe side

If you polish it too soon the finish will continue to shrink and all the sanding scratches etc. will appear again. Finishing is not something you want to rush. You can also assemble the guitar and use it and polish it in a few months.

Thanks Shepherd, I will assemble it in a week or so and polish it in a few months.

Thanks Shepherd, I will assemble it in a week or so and polish it in a few months.

Another reason I like to wait longer before assembling, is because it takes Mohawk longer to harden than some other brands of nitro. If parts get screwed down onto the finish to soon, they'll imprint into it. You'll be rewarded with a better overall result if you remain patient.

Just my opinion.

Another reason I like to wait longer before assembling, is because it takes Mohawk longer to harden than some other brands of nitro. If parts get screwed down onto the finish to soon, they'll imprint into it. You'll be rewarded with a better overall result if you remain patient.

Just my opinion.

I hear you flyingbanana, but I am under some time pressure, this is my entry for this year's challenge

I hear you flyingbanana, but I am under some time pressure, this is my entry for this year's challenge

Ahhhhh. Carry on then. :lol: