How About Poly In Spray Cans ?

I read a lot here about using MinWax wipe on poly. I know MinWax and others make polyurethane in a spray cans. Does anyone have experience finishing a guitar with spray poly? Does it polish out as nicely as lacquer? Is the final sanding more difficult?

I think the main problem is one of a cheap plastic nozzle they use in spray cans, hard to get a good even light coat, without spatters and big drops.

I am going to be spraying a poly neck in the next few days.

Fortunately I have nozzles from Guitar Reranch and Stew Mac that can be swapped out for the cheap ones that come on the MinWax spray poly cans.

I have sprayed alot of poly from spray cans (as well as guns) while building kitchens. I have NOT tried to rub it out (so I don't know). Cabinet finishes are typically satin and we would leave it "as sprayed". I disagree with the comments about the nozzles. IMO, the better grade nozzle is the the best feature of the spray cans (zip-guard & minwax, anyway). Those blue nozzles offer much better atomization and the pattern is adjustable vert to horiz. by turning the tip. That type of can has a pin protruding from the can so they are not interchangable with a regular style spray nozzle. That said, the nozzles that Reranch supplies look like regular ones but work far better (and are adj. too)

I agree .. Tedecaster... My can of Minwax poly has the same blue fan spray nozzle as the Deft cans. I've only had a problem with them spitting when a can is nearly empty.

There's no reason you shouldn't be able to get good results with a spray can. That said, there is a technique to it, and it does take some practice, but mostly patience.

I've had success applying polyurethane varnishes with a cloth, rather than brushes (which leave marks) or spray (they always clog for me).

If you use a cloth, you can apply several thin coats, and throw the cloth away after each coat, so there's minimal cleaning up.

On the down side, if you wanted a thicker coat, it would take absolutely ages to do.

I'm certain that you can get a decent finish from the poly spray cans. I would wonder how long it will have to cure before you can rub it out? I know that it cures fairly slow. Keep us posted.

I use MinWax Fast Drying PolyU spray quite a bit - good nozzle, excellent results. Just as you need a good nozzle and can pressure, you need to know how best to do the actual spraying and it's no different than working any air gun - start the spray off the wood and continuing spraying past the wood, keep the nozzle a good 8-10" off the wood, make sure the environment isn't cold or wet.