poly or lacquer question

Musicman1 · June 30th, 2008, 03:15 PM

Will using poly clearcoat get me to the "finishing" stages faster than using Deft lacquer?
How long?

jwells393 · June 30th, 2008, 03:37 PM

I don't think so. I tried spraying aerosol polyurethane once. It wouldn't polish to a shine using my normal hand sand and polish method. I ended up spraying Deft over it used my normal sand a polish technique.

Might work if you don't plan to wet-sand and polish.

martyb1 · June 30th, 2008, 05:33 PM

I have never used spray poly,but I have done a couple with wipe on.Like Jack said,it doesn't seen to get as glossy as Deft.If you had a buffing wheel you may be able to get it there.As far as time,the only difference I would think would be in waiting for it to cure.Poly would be ready to buff out sooner,I think

gotdabluz · July 1st, 2008, 02:12 PM

Meguiar's Scratch-X will take that poly to a whole new level . . . and in short order, too!

milkshape · July 21st, 2008, 09:25 PM

So finally having the first tele coated with deft and curing, this very question came to mind. So I gather from the comments above that the deft polishes up better and don't give poly a go unless I have a buffing wheel. The question I have is how soon would I be able to begin the sand&polish on a clear poly coat? Follow manufacturers suggestions on the back of the can?

Vizcaster · July 22nd, 2008, 11:37 AM

Assuming that you're using "poly" to describe commonly available varnish in cans that have "polyurethane" as the biggest word on the label, then save it for brushing on furniture. The reason for my semantics tyrade is that polyurethane is only one component of the varnish (polyurethane replaced alkyd and phenolic as the resin ingredient in paint and varnish, so to sound modern the manufacturers trumped up the word Polyurethane and made it sound like it was a new kind of finish), but there are other important things to consider like the type of oil and the type of solvent and the quality of the additives like UV protectors.

Most hobbyists making partscasters use some sort of fast-drying spray lacquer like Deft or other brands of nitrocellulose lacquer which come in rattle cans. They may go on thin, but they dry fast enough to get a lot more coats on there in the same amount of time. Spray polyurethane is available, but it's odd stuff, because the overspray stays gummy and floats around and lands on stuff in your shop. Waterborne lacquers are a whole 'nuther ballgame if you have spray equipment since you can chose from polyester, polyurethane, polycarbonate, and hybrid-alkyd resin formulations.

So not to say it three times, but polyurethane will probably be very soft and thick and will take a lot longer to cure before you can rub it out, even if you could theoretically approach the same level of gloss that you get from Deft.

boris bubbanov · July 22nd, 2008, 02:30 PM

I have used this spar varnish urethane for the wooden kayak paddles.

I'll try some Meguiar's on that surface, it's been long enough, 6 months.

I don't think anything can equal the hot glow of lacquer. I like how, on some necks I've done, the finish is thin enough to be burnished right down into the wood. Nothing gummy about that.

milkshape · July 22nd, 2008, 08:54 PM

thanks, looks like I'll stick with deft, and learn patience

guitarman_59 · July 27th, 2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotdabluz

Meguiar's Scratch-X will take that poly to a whole new level . . . and in short order, too!

I have 12 coats of Wipe on Poly on the body now. I used Satin finish and it does look shiny to me and I like the look, What will Scratch X make it look like exactly? I have a tube of it for my bike so its there to use.

How long should I wait after the last coat of poly before trying to polish it? Its been a week now. Thanks

June 30th, 2008, 03:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
Musicman1 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Arkansas Age: 33 Posts: 140	poly or lacquer question Will using poly clearcoat get me to the "finishing" stages faster than using Deft lacquer? How long?

June 30th, 2008, 03:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 11,497 101 Photos	I don't think so. I tried spraying aerosol polyurethane once. It wouldn't polish to a shine using my normal hand sand and polish method. I ended up spraying Deft over it used my normal sand a polish technique. Might work if you don't plan to wet-sand and polish. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

June 30th, 2008, 05:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
martyb1 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Age: 44 Posts: 1,386 13 Photos	I have never used spray poly,but I have done a couple with wipe on.Like Jack said,it doesn't seen to get as glossy as Deft.If you had a buffing wheel you may be able to get it there.As far as time,the only difference I would think would be in waiting for it to cure.Poly would be ready to buff out sooner,I think __________________ Before throwing it out,make sure it's not 16x13x1.75

July 21st, 2008, 09:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
milkshape Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New England Posts: 316	So finally having the first tele coated with deft and curing, this very question came to mind. So I gather from the comments above that the deft polishes up better and don't give poly a go unless I have a buffing wheel. The question I have is how soon would I be able to begin the sand&polish on a clear poly coat? Follow manufacturers suggestions on the back of the can? __________________ No hurries, No worries.

July 22nd, 2008, 11:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
Vizcaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Glen Head, NY Posts: 593	Assuming that you're using "poly" to describe commonly available varnish in cans that have "polyurethane" as the biggest word on the label, then save it for brushing on furniture. The reason for my semantics tyrade is that polyurethane is only one component of the varnish (polyurethane replaced alkyd and phenolic as the resin ingredient in paint and varnish, so to sound modern the manufacturers trumped up the word Polyurethane and made it sound like it was a new kind of finish), but there are other important things to consider like the type of oil and the type of solvent and the quality of the additives like UV protectors. Most hobbyists making partscasters use some sort of fast-drying spray lacquer like Deft or other brands of nitrocellulose lacquer which come in rattle cans. They may go on thin, but they dry fast enough to get a lot more coats on there in the same amount of time. Spray polyurethane is available, but it's odd stuff, because the overspray stays gummy and floats around and lands on stuff in your shop. Waterborne lacquers are a whole 'nuther ballgame if you have spray equipment since you can chose from polyester, polyurethane, polycarbonate, and hybrid-alkyd resin formulations. So not to say it three times, but polyurethane will probably be very soft and thick and will take a lot longer to cure before you can rub it out, even if you could theoretically approach the same level of gloss that you get from Deft. __________________ "Why don't you just make 10 louder, and make 10 be the top number, and make that a little louder?"

July 1st, 2008, 02:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
gotdabluz TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bangor, ME Age: 40 Posts: 78	Meguiar's Scratch-X will take that poly to a whole new level . . . and in short order, too!

July 22nd, 2008, 02:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 6,980	I have used this spar varnish urethane for the wooden kayak paddles. I'll try some Meguiar's on that surface, it's been long enough, 6 months. I don't think anything can equal the hot glow of lacquer. I like how, on some necks I've done, the finish is thin enough to be burnished right down into the wood. Nothing gummy about that. __________________ Bubban0v

July 22nd, 2008, 08:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
milkshape Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New England Posts: 316	thanks, looks like I'll stick with deft, and learn patience __________________ No hurries, No worries.