Nitro lacquer shrink

[Jerry Ryan]

I've learned a lot this this site from those of you who are experienced in the trade. Pretty proud of the projects I have been able to complete with your tips and tricks. HOWEVER when my nitro finishing projects are 6 mos. old or more the nitro finish begins to take on the texture of the woodgrain.They were finished to a beautiful mirror shine. Is this the natture of nitro lacquer or did I skip something?


Jerry

[Michael P. Lemieux]

Hello
First, if it's a porous wood such as ash or mahogany did you fill the grain first? Secondly, did you let the finish cure for a least a month before you wet sanded and buffed? Just a thought.
Mike

[Jerry Ryan]

The soundboards I finished with nitro were spruce. I used a sealer on the last one. They all have varying texture.
I didn't wait a month, just 2-3 days after the finish coat.

[Greg Mirken]

That's the nature of nitrocellulose lacquer. And speaking as an Old Fart, it's how a lacquer finish is supposed to look.

[Mike Kolb]

Hear! Hear! ... yes, I'd rather see and feel that grain from a "settled-in" finish, than some of the mirror-gloss newbies out there. A little washboard gives some age, dignity and grace.

[Jerry Ryan]

I'll have to look closer at old guitars. I was just disappointed that beautiful finish I had, got a bit of a woodgrain texture.

[Jerry Ryan]

OK, thats good to know.

[Ron Frazier]

Lacquer takes at least 28 days to harden. don't put too thick of a coat each time and let it dry at least one hr.between coats as the thinner will be trapped and will take longer to dry. Even it it is dry to sand the thinner is in the previous coats and that needs to come out. .

Ron

[Jerry Ryan]

I didn't wait 28 days..more like 2. I did wait an hr or day between coats and sanded every other coat.
Will wait longer for the sand & polish next time. But 28 days!!! Long time to look at a guitar and not finish & setup!

Jerry