Sealer question...
single malt monkey
lacquer. Using spray cans (no room at home for a proper booth etc)
I've found tiny specks of white between layers which I think must have
been hardened lacquer from the spray can nozzle. In sanding these out
I have gone back to the wood in some areas and also found a few areas
where ends of pores have not filled properly. Before I re-fill these
pores my question is .... should I apply another coat of sealer first?
Any help gratefully appreciated before I lose control of the back of
my guitar.
Thanks
Alan
David Hajicek
"single malt monkey" <alan.p...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:1ff37b53-fc31-419e...@b15g2000yqd.googlegroups.com...
Water based lacquer does this when you spray it. You need to clean the
nozzle frequently (even on a proper spray gun) or you will spit out a lump.
Sometimes these will eventually dry and turn clear. I find adding retarder
and a little alcohol helps in the spraying.
Rather than sand the lumps back, pick them off and put a drop of finish in
the hole.
There are other things the white specks could be (air pockets, unfilled
pores, etc). Get a good magnifier and try to figure out what the white
specks are (there may be more than one type).
I would try not filling the pores (in a small area) and see what happens. If
it is a waterbased filler, it wouldn't hurt to fill the pores again, but it
may not be necessary and then you'd have to sand the filler.
I have gone to brushing on waterborne finish, rather than spraying. As you
have noticed, spraying has some unique issues. Also there is a lot of
overspray, which is waste.
I use the special high quality blond artist brushes (not Squirrel hair) made
for acrylics. They do a beautiful job and there is nearly zero waste. Just
wash them well in soap and water (a good one costs maybe $30).
Dave Hajicek
single malt monkey
> "single malt monkey" <alan.pass...@btinternet.com> wrote in messagenews:1ff37b53-fc31-419e...@b15g2000yqd.googlegroups.com...
Fantastic help. Thanks Dave. I bought a magnifier and there are some
"pits" at the end of pores that have not filled up to very end,
unfortunately, and now have a white "glob". I'll try to pick them out
and probably perform two test on the lower side of the guitar. One
with drops of minute amounts of filler into the end and another area
with lacquer brushed in. Thanks very much for the advice and help.
David Hajicek
________
As Al says in the next post series, there could be small mineral deposits in
the pores (more common to Rosewood). Or as you noticed, on some woods, the
pores don't want to fill well and leave a small white spot (more common on
Mahogany). What I do depends on how many and what type there are.
If there are a few, I take an extremely pointed X-acto blade an poke a hole
to get access and then back fill with finish. Sometimes this takes a few
tries.
If it is a mineral deposit, it can often be stained to become invisible.
Wiping Rosewood with alcohol will stain the white mineral deposits and they
become invisible. This could be done by staining Mahogany too, but simple
alcohol probably is not sufficient, you may need a real stain.
I fill pores with System 3 epoxy, as it sucks in well and doesn't leave any
visible bubbles and it darkens the pores to bring out the grain.
Have fun. It takes a few things like this to figure out the technique that
works for you.
Dave Hajicek