Lacquer - To Thin Or Not To Thin

[slowhandy]

I want to spray a guitar neck with lacquer using a paint sprayer but I want to thin the lacquer with lacquer thinner.  The only brand of nitro lacquer I could find is WATCO brush-on.  The label on the can states "do not thin".  I wonder does not thinning, only refer to using a brush or to using a spray as well?  Has anyone out there ever used this brand in a sprayer with thinner?

Also, I wonder what kind of finish just brushing it on would give,  instead of spraying?

Comments appreciated.

 

[pabloman]

If you are looking for spray lacquer that you could thin I think you missed the boat. Usually a manufacturer designs a product for a specific purpose. I would trust what they advise over anything else. Spray nitro really isn't that hard to find depending where you live. :dontknow:

 

[rapfohl09]

If you are looking for spray lacquer that you could thin I think you missed the boat. Usually a manufacturer designs a product for a specific purpose. I would trust what they advise over anything else. Spray nitro really isn't that hard to find depending where you live. :dontknow:

+1

I dont think its a good idea to just disregard their warning. I think spraying is just easier to create a nice level finish in thin increments. Brushing it should produce the same results, its just a bit more difficult I think. Also brushing uses less of the product.

 

[Tonar8352]

If what you are looking at is a brushing lacquer I would not spray it. If you want to spray lacquer get McFadden’s, which is now sold under the Seagrave name at LMI. It is very expensive but the best out there.  Or you can try a real paint store in your area and ask them for a high-grade gloss 680 VOC lacquer.  VOC regulations will vary depending on what part of the world you in but the lowest I will go is 575 VOC and then you really have to pound it with retarder to get it to flow.

As far as thinning I never follow the advise on the can because they have to say it is ready to spray due to Government Regulations:  :tard:
I always thin at least 20% with a blend of regular lacquer thinner and some retarder to get it to flow and level.