Type of coloring for lacquer

[Frank Capo]

I would like to spray an unfinished guitar neck and possibly another guitar project with tinted lacquer. They are mahogany and maple. I would like it to be similar to the traditional Gibson brown finishes. What is the best type of coloring agent to add to the nitrocellulose? I have previously used a liquid red dye purchased fom stewmac to reproduce the Gibson cherry finish on mahogany and maple.

I recently found at a Restore, several unopened quart cans of brown iron oxide coloring agent that is labeled Ace or Cook and Dunn. Probably for use in a paint store. I did not buy ($2 ea). Is that usable in lacquer? Thanks.

[Russell Vance]

Hello Fred,

Yes oxide pigment is useable in lacquer and I use (for example) oxides/pigment to give my white nitro lacquer a real creme tone (as opposed to the yellow creme color modern tints give white) - but - its for tinting paint and opaque finishes.   The ColorTone liquid stains sold by Stewmac and others are what you want to replicate Gibson finishes.  Reranch and other sites have color schedules for most nitro finishes - but vintage amber and medium brown stains are good places to start.

Regards, Rusty.