Brushing lacquer questions

Old Cane · June 28th, 2008, 10:33 AM

I have ready access to Deft at Lowes and I'm wondering if anyone shoots it? I beleive it says it's "brushing" lacquer. I've been using the spray cans which I don't like nearly as well as the reranch stuff but it so much cheaper I'd like to make it work. I'm thinking about getting a preval and spraying it. Is that ok?

Questions:

If you can spray it, how do you mix it? Do you mix it? Can you shoot it straight? Is 2:1 about right? Too thick? Is 1:1 too thin? and so on.

What kind of dyes/stains can you mix with it for color coats? Do you shoo them the same strength as clear coats? and so on.

Any info or tips are appreciated

Cole · June 28th, 2008, 10:57 AM

whatever the directions say to clean up with is what you use to thin with. More than likely it will be lacquer thinner if I recall correctly. I would use dyes from luthier supply houses. You can't suspend an oil base stain in a lacquer base product... you can spray lacquer over an oil base stain application, but it has to be throughly dried through evaporation. Pretty chancy though.

You'll have to experiment with cutting brushing lacquer for spray. I would consult a knowledgeable person at a auto paint store (good luck!). I would say to start with 10% to 25% cut and spray with a Preval. Brushing lacquer is slower drying than spray by nature, so it probably has more lacquer retarder in it.

You'll know when the mix is right. If it's to thin... it's gonna run before you can even build it up. If it's too thick, it will not flow well and may orange peel easily. Start with scraps... even cardboard.

I would shoot some clear sealer coats on the wood first, steel wool then shoot your color coats on until you're satisfied. Then more clear coats to protect the color coat.

Good luck!

Old Cane · June 28th, 2008, 11:28 AM

I was really hoping htere was some sort of dye i could mix that I could get at Lowes but hey, if you can't-you can't. I have enough trouble without unwanted chemical reactions.

Cole · June 28th, 2008, 11:47 AM

call your local auto paint store and tell them what you got and what you want to do. Ask if they have dyes or colorants that will mix or suspend with Deft lacquer. I bet they do.

I love Lowe's too... but the don't always have what you need... right?

Good luck....

June 28th, 2008, 10:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
Old Cane Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Age: 47 Posts: 739	Brushing lacquer questions I have ready access to Deft at Lowes and I'm wondering if anyone shoots it? I beleive it says it's "brushing" lacquer. I've been using the spray cans which I don't like nearly as well as the reranch stuff but it so much cheaper I'd like to make it work. I'm thinking about getting a preval and spraying it. Is that ok? Questions: If you can spray it, how do you mix it? Do you mix it? Can you shoot it straight? Is 2:1 about right? Too thick? Is 1:1 too thin? and so on. What kind of dyes/stains can you mix with it for color coats? Do you shoo them the same strength as clear coats? and so on. Any info or tips are appreciated __________________ http://www.myspace.com/otiskeithwatkins http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...&content=music

June 28th, 2008, 10:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cole Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisville KY Age: 57 Posts: 196	whatever the directions say to clean up with is what you use to thin with. More than likely it will be lacquer thinner if I recall correctly. I would use dyes from luthier supply houses. You can't suspend an oil base stain in a lacquer base product... you can spray lacquer over an oil base stain application, but it has to be throughly dried through evaporation. Pretty chancy though. You'll have to experiment with cutting brushing lacquer for spray. I would consult a knowledgeable person at a auto paint store (good luck!). I would say to start with 10% to 25% cut and spray with a Preval. Brushing lacquer is slower drying than spray by nature, so it probably has more lacquer retarder in it. You'll know when the mix is right. If it's to thin... it's gonna run before you can even build it up. If it's too thick, it will not flow well and may orange peel easily. Start with scraps... even cardboard. I would shoot some clear sealer coats on the wood first, steel wool then shoot your color coats on until you're satisfied. Then more clear coats to protect the color coat. Good luck! __________________ ~Cole Cole's website Cole's MySpace "The only currency we have is influential communication."

June 28th, 2008, 11:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
Old Cane Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Age: 47 Posts: 739	I was really hoping htere was some sort of dye i could mix that I could get at Lowes but hey, if you can't-you can't. I have enough trouble without unwanted chemical reactions. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/otiskeithwatkins http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...&content=music

June 28th, 2008, 11:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
Cole Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisville KY Age: 57 Posts: 196	call your local auto paint store and tell them what you got and what you want to do. Ask if they have dyes or colorants that will mix or suspend with Deft lacquer. I bet they do. I love Lowe's too... but the don't always have what you need... right? Good luck.... __________________ ~Cole Cole's website Cole's MySpace "The only currency we have is influential communication."