What next

[Aperature]

I have a Warmoth tele body that I have already grain-filled and sanded a few times.  I also have a can of "Inca Silver" Nitro Lacquer and a can of Clear Coat/satin from ReRanch.

My questions is, what is the proper next step here?  Do I need to spray anything on the body before I start the coats of Inca Silver?  How long should I let the Inca Silver cure before I sand and re-apply a second coat? 

PS - this is my first build.

Thanks!

 

[bagman67]

Hi, and welcome.


I'm assuming you're working with nitrocellulose or acrylic rattle-can lacquer for this answer.



If you think you're done with the grain fill, it's useful to hit the body with a sealer coat of some kind - shellac, lacquer, whatever - so you can really get a good look in bright light, and make sure the pores are truly filled.  Assuming your pores are indeed filled, then:

[EDIT - if you lay down a primer coat, that will show you if your grainfill is perfect, so don't worry about the intermediate sealer layer - the primer occupies that role.]

Most folks lay down a primer coat of some kind - probably just white or gray for Inca silver - and then lay down the color coat.  That ensures you are laying down the silver over a uniform colored background, which in turn ensures even color coverage.  You won't really want to scuff sand a metallic color coat before applying clear -- too easy to screw it up.  It doesn't behave like a pigmented solid color.  Start applying clear coats and scuff sand between coats after you've got a decent film laid down.


Standard disclaimer:  Practice on scrap!  There are no shortcuts!  A lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client!  Never get into a land war in Asia!  THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS IN FINISHING.

 

[Aperature]

Thanks for the reply.  I will get some primer and some some practicing on some scrap.  Since this is my first ever build, I am not completely concerned with perfection, but I want to avoid obvious missteps.  Partscasters are a labor of love and not an investment.

I will report back when there is discernible progress. 

 

[Cagey]

While you're out getting primer, you may want to pick up another can of color coat and a couple more of clear. There's a lot less finish in those cans than you might think. It's mostly reducer, propellant and air. What looks like a 24oz can may only actually have 8oz or less of finish material. Roughly 25% of that you're going to lose to overspray, and you may sand off another 25%-40% levelling between coats. A single can isn't going to go very far.