Behlen stringed instrument lacquer

[telekazamm]

I remember reading a thread where someone was pimping this stuff out. I know you can get it at woodcraft, because thats where I got it. Let me tell you gentlemen ( And Ladies ) it works great! dries quickly and goes on super smooth.
Part of that is either getting lucky or knowing what your doing. Just wanted those who havent tried it. to know what a great product this is. I think you can get it at Stewmac also.

 

[KYmxracer52]

I was gonna got that on Friday at my local WoodCraft, but they sent all theirs back because of some recall. All they had was Deft and Watco. I'm not sure what the recall was about.

 

[Colt W. Knight]

Behlesn,Lawrence- Mcffaden, and Sherwin Williams are all great lacquers.

 

[garymaddox]

If you are looking for something in a spray can, Behlens is good. It's hotter than most and will melt a waterslide decal if you aren't carefull. I'd go with Watco or Minwax over Deft. Deft takes too long to cure and it never seems to get as hard as it should.
Colt's list of spray rig lacquer is also good.

 

[Colt W. Knight]

If you are looking for something in a spray can, Behlens is good. It's hotter than most and will melt a waterslide decal if you aren't carefull. I'd go with Watco or Minwax over Deft. Deft takes too long to cure and it never seems to get as hard as it should.
Colt's list of spray rig lacquer is also good.

Big Ole + 1 on DEFT taking forever to dry and harden.

Its a shame too, because it sprays like a dream, and buffs out super easy.

 

[fretsandnecks]

I tried deft once... yeah never again. McFadden is no more sadly... but I'm about to try a can from Seagrave, the company that took over. Supposedly it's the same formula and I hope so because it's the best thing I've tried with Behlen coming in a close second.

 

[Colt W. Knight]

I tried deft once... yeah never again. McFadden is no more sadly... but I'm about to try a can from Seagrave, the company that took over. Supposedly it's the same formula and I hope so because it's the best thing I've tried with Behlen coming in a close second.

My Favorite is Sherwin Williams LOVOC Nitrocelulose lacquer. Dries quick, and is harder than any lacquer I have tried to date.

 

[fretsandnecks]

and it's not crack or chip happy?

 

[Colt W. Knight]

and it's not crack or chip happy?

Not at all,

I have intentionally reliced a few finished in LOVOC, and I haven't been able to get it to chip, even beating the hell out of it with keys, screw drives, wrenches, and banging it against piano legs, shop floor, and my truck tail gate.

I use the SW 24% solid vinyl sealer, and LOVOC pigmented color, and LOVOC clear.

 

[fretsandnecks]

I'll take your word for it and give it a try. It'd be nice to get stuff by the gallon again. How would you compare it to the McFadden stuff?

 

[Colt W. Knight]

I'll take your word for it and give it a try. It'd be nice to get stuff by the gallon again. How would you compare it to the McFadden stuff?

I think I pay 40.35$ a gallon.

Mcfadden took longer to dry. LOVOC is hard to sand and buff if you let it sit too long. So I typically buff after 2 days. But if you wait three or four, its pretty hard.

 

[fretsandnecks]

I think I pay 40.35$ a gallon.

Mcfadden took longer to dry. LOVOC is hard to sand and buff if you let it sit too long. So I typically buff after 2 days. But if you wait three or four, its pretty hard.

Well that's good for the repairs I do.... especially broken headstocks on Gibsons... the sooner I can sand and buff the better!! Thanks

 

[Bud Veazey]

I've been a big fan of Lovoc since Colt turned me on to it. Before that I used Behlens. I liked Behlens, but even though I use a respirator, the odor was a killer (probably literally). Also Behlens stopped selling by the gallon. The other selling point for Lovoc is cost. My SW store sells me a gallon for around $28 (Colt, you should have a heart to heart with your SW store manager). The Lovoc cost is just a little more than half of what Behlens used to cost.

I usually let the Lovoc dry for about 7 days before final sanding and polish just to make sure shrinkage is complete, but 3 days is probably plenty.

 

[Colt W. Knight]

yeah I forgot to mention the LOVOC or Low Volatile Organic Compound part of LOVOC. Much, much nicer when you are spraying a lot.

 

[fretsandnecks]

Now if I could get a decent vinyl sealer from SW I'd be happier than a pig in s#*%. I'm about to run out of the Behlen stuff I have cause this paisley strat project is soakin it all up. Deft sanding sealer is no bueno for fabric finishes.

 

[Colt W. Knight]

Now if I could get a decent vinyl sealer from SW I'd be happier than a pig in s#*%. I'm about to run out of the Behlen stuff I have cause this paisley strat project is soakin it all up. Deft sanding sealer is no bueno for fabric finishes.

http://oem.sherwin-williams.com/us/eng/products/sherwood_vinyl_sealer_24_solids/

I am super happy with this stuff. Sprays great and goes a long way. I think I sprayed 6 bodies and necks with less than quart.

 

[fretsandnecks]

Thanks colt! That's awesome, does it dry fairly clear?

 

[Mike Simpson]

I have used Behlens stringed instrument lacquer on 3 guitars and have no problems with it. The oldest one is 3 years old and looks great.

 

[Colt W. Knight]

Thanks colt! That's awesome, does it dry fairly clear?

Yup.

Ill see if I can find a just SW sealer photo without lacquer.

 

[fretsandnecks]

I like the Behlen stuff and it has only given me a problem once. I got a batch from StewMac once that had globs in it and I couldn't figure it out but I shot it and it looked like boogers on the guitar. Called them up and they sent me a new can no charge no questions. Other than that I have used it on several pieces and have had satisfactory results. I used it on the sparkle silverburst Tele I just did and it came out gorgeous. Buffed it out after about 5 days.

I thought Sherwin only had the Hi Bild stuff, but thanks to the fine posting gentlemen on this forum I have been turned on to the LOVOC stuff and I hear it's great. Cant wait to try it especially since I can get it locally and by the gallon.