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Does over-thinning nitro lacquer make it easily damaged?

wericha's picture

Does over-thinning nitro lacquer make it easily damaged? (post #170981)

wericha on Mon, 01/21/2013 - 09:10
in

I bought a Kobalt HVLP gun, and had a terrible time getting it to spray.  The only solution I could find was to thin the lacquer considerably, probably better than 10%.  The finish seemed awfully "tender" and easy to scratch.  Is that from too much thinner? 

 

The finish was 2 coats sanding sealer and 1 coat satin and had cured for 3 days.

-A +A
Westchester's picture

Tender (post #170981, reply #1 of 3)

by Westchester in reply to wericha [original] on Mon, 01/21/2013 - 11:55

Limit sanding sealer to one coat.  Thinning the lacquer doesn't make it more prone to scratching but you need more coats for better coverage once it's thinned. 10% is not much thinning for spraying.  You should apply more finish coats over the sealer before testing for scratch resistence.  10 days cure  is what I like to do before rubbing.

SA

wericha's picture

Thanks (post #170981, reply #2 of 3)

by wericha in reply to Westchester [original] on Mon, 01/21/2013 - 14:02

The scratches came from just moving the piece around.  The top coat was pretty heavy, but I guess I need to go get it and put another coat on it.

Westchester's picture

Scratches (post #170981, reply #3 of 3)

by Westchester in reply to wericha [original] on Mon, 01/21/2013 - 15:28

One coat of lacquer is nothing - even if it's a heavy coat.  Depending on how much you thin and how much solids in your stock lacquer - I would say 4-7 coats is about typical.

SA