nitro compatability? Deft with Stewmac?

[dmraco]

I am finishing as guitar and using the stewmac colortone nitro.  I also have several cans of Deft nitro clear.  Can they be used together or should I order the Stewmac clear.

Thanks

 

[Patrick from Davis]

I am sure someone else will chime in on this, but to set your mind at ease, I'd make up a test piece and see how they behave on a scrap.  Also, I have trouble with getting things dirty with hand oils.  So always wipe down with naptha first...
Patrick

 

[Tonar8352]

I agree with Patrick. I mix manufactures products all the time but you never know for sure until you test it. 

So are there progress pictures on this build that I'm missing?

 

[dmraco]

I am sure someone else will chime in on this, but to set your mind at ease, I'd make up a test piece and see how they behave on a scrap.  Also, I have trouble with getting things dirty with hand oils.  So always wipe down with naptha first...
Patrick

Thanks Patrick...I thought nitro was a little forgiving.  Let me know.  I will not be ready to spray for a week of two.

I agree with Patrick. I mix manufactures products all the time but you never know for sure until you test it. 

So are there progress pictures on this build that I'm missing?

Not yet.  This is the LP Jr Double cut I am working on.  It will be a "TRIBUTE"...not a replica....

I will post photos ASAP.

 

[jlegnor]

I've used Deft and Stew Mac together without any issues.  Once was with Stew mac sanding sealer, black gloss, with Deft gloss clear on top.  Other time was Stew mac sanding sealer, tranparent cherry, and Deft satin on top.

 

[dmraco]

hat is the deal with Deft?  Some say it is not instrument quality?  I alway thought it more durable than pure nitro..being it had more flexability, would not yellow or crack as fast. :dontknow:

Other places I read said that is not so.

 

[jackthehack]

I've used both on the same guitar to no ill effect.

 

[Cagey]

hat is the deal with Deft?  Some say it is not instrument quality?  I alway thought it more durable than pure nitro..being it had more flexability, would not yellow or crack as fast. :dontknow:

Other places I read said that is not so.

There are those who would say that nitrocellulose lacquer in general is not "instrument quality". I doubt whoever is making the claims you read/heard means to disparage Deft in particular as much as that type of finish in general. And to some degree, an argument could be made. Polyurethane is a more durable finish that's faster to bring to a finish point and can be made to look as good as nitro. That doesn't mean nitro isn't "instrument quality". It is what it is, and instruments have been finished with it ever since it's been readily available. If I was shooting guitars today, it's what I'd be using, and from whichever manufacturer was convenient.

 

[dmraco]

hat is the deal with Deft?  Some say it is not instrument quality?  I alway thought it more durable than pure nitro..being it had more flexability, would not yellow or crack as fast. :dontknow:

Other places I read said that is not so.

There are those who would say that nitrocellulose lacquer in general is not "instrument quality". I doubt whoever is making the claims you read/heard means to disparage Deft in particular as much as that type of finish in general. And to some degree, an argument could be made. Polyurethane is a more durable finish that's faster to bring to a finish point and can be made to look as good as nitro. That doesn't mean nitro isn't "instrument quality". It is what it is, and instruments have been finished with it ever since it's been readily available. If I was shooting guitars today, it's what I'd be using, and from whichever manufacturer was convenient.

Thanks Cagey.  I personally have had success with poly.  I am using nitro on this build because it is a departure of my traditional, dye, sand back, dye, clear protocol.  I am thinking of doing a spray burst and those StewMac pre-mixed colortone nitro cans are so easy!  I used the clear spray nitro on my sons LP.  I recently just sanded it for a re-finish (I cannot believe I sanded off that great emerald finish) because we wants a different color but will not part with the guitar.  Man..that nitro was TOUGH!  Not as hard as poly but it put up a fight,  I had to get out the 100 grit!  What I never liked with nitro is it ss so brittle.  I heard deft had some polymers in it that help.  that is the whole reason for my question.  In search for the holy grail of poly durability and nitro ease!!

 

[tfarny]

I just thought that the deft stuff was the cheapest spray can nitro available. I remember a thread a while back that specifically said those two could be mixed. The stew mac clear is ridiculously overpriced.

 

[Cagey]

I heard deft had some polymers in it that help.  that is the whole reason for my question.  In search for the holy grail of poly durability and nitro ease!!

You may be thinking of acrylic lacquer. It's closer to the holy grail than nitro, but still not the ultimate. Like it or not, 2-part polyurethane is the whip. Cures up looking like wet glass, and takes all sorts of abuse without showing it. That's why all the pros and high-production shops use it. It's some toxic shit, though. Plus, it's difficult to repair. Fortunately, it vigorously resists the kind of abuse that puts you in a position where you need repairs.

 

[dmraco]

You may be thinking of acrylic lacquer.

The only pre-made of have seen of that is MinWax.  I doubt that will work with the StewMac Nitro.  Maybe...both are lacquers.  I now need a chemestry lesson as well as an electricity/current lesson. :laughing3:

this was interesting.
http://www.finewoodworking.com/Materials/MaterialsAllAbout.aspx?id=2948

I shot all my motorcycle work with House of Kolor Urethane clear.  That stuff could stop a bullet from a .45!  One time, I waited to long to give it a final buff an polish.  It was like trying to polish a diamond!  If that stuff was not so expensive, I would try a guitar with some of their candy clears.  At almost $75 a quart, plus reducers and catalyst, it gets expensive real quick.  The Nitro advocates would likely string me up with guitar wire for shooting that on a guitar!!!  How much tone would that stuff rob!! :toothy11:

 

[Cagey]

I used to shoot catalyzed urethane on car/truck bodies and you're right - the stuff is bullet-proof. Problem is, if you don't get it right, there's no sanding/buffing/polishing it out. Get a run, and it's there forever. Plus, as you say, it's expensive as hell, not to mention as toxic as New Jersey. But, if you can afford it and trust yourself to shoot it, you're all done when the finish is on. No sanding/buffing/polishing needed. Flows out to look like wet glass and stays that way.

 

[jackthehack]

I had been using the StewMac nitro lacquer, but ran out and had CB's posts about using Deft, which is available at 1/2 the price at most all Tru-Value/Ace hardware stores. If there's shit for difference between the two, I am unable to surmise what it is is. As all the StewMac stuff is obviously relabled cans from other manufacturers, for all I know it IS relabeled Deft...

 

[dmraco]

I had been using the StewMac nitro lacquer, but ran out and had CB's posts about using Deft, which is available at 1/2 the price at most all Tru-Value/Ace hardware stores. If there's shite for difference between the two, I am unable to surmise what it is is. As all the StewMac stuff is obviously relabled cans from other manufacturers, for all I know it IS relabeled Deft...

Probably right