Are You Still Using Lacquer? Why... It Sucks! Part II

[@mr.esabsurditiesatrocities1805]

Towards the end, can you guys touch on deep upkeep and tips? I recently used clay to deep clean a neck and then polished it up and waxed it. Playing for 25 years and first time trying it has me blown away. I'd love to pick up more tips that can be had.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Sure that is a great idea

[@pipedreamfretworks]

are you guys clear coating the fretboard and frets too? Not sure what I'm seeing at 3:30-fretboard so glossy. How you doin' that? -Confused in Culver City

[@bobbys4327]

Nope, built up a Warmouth in about 1993 I believe and did not use lacquer. I was familiar with auto paints for a long time as I worked in an automotive paint shop in the 1960's until I received a full paid government vacation to Southeast Asia. The GM cars in the 60's used Acrylic Lacquer and did not last well at all. Anyway, I painted the Warmouth with a 2 part urethane of the time and it has lasted great and the maple neck even yellowed! last Strat clone I did I painted with rattle cans from Home Depot, dipped some Hydrographic Film and cleared it with SpeedOKote which works great. Dries fast and can color sand and then buff in a few hours in warm weather. Really like your vids!

[@matthewjames6873]

Most helpful video series so far! I’ve spent thousands on getting a setup that allows for a nitro finish. Ive also read the books which purposely omit the use of acrylic/polyester finishes. Since then, I’ve been researching acrylic lacquers. I was having a hell of a time finding information on what type of acrylic to buy for guitar finishing. I hope that this will help reduce my difficulties moving forward. Thank you

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DynaZor]

thanks! I wish I could work on guitars in the future and do all this... for now I'll just watch you and learn theoretically...

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Hell, if I can do it... You can do it

[@FriendM2010]

Getting ready to replace a Martin HD28 pick guard. Removed old and it has raw wood? Built in ‘77. I want to coat with something? What are my options?

[@rmccain99]

Send me some info on the soul bass.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

email me please

[@MyFirstGen]

That neck looks beautiful! In 2002 Gibson used that copper color on a Les Paul Studio. They called it the copper top

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Sounds like a Duracell promotional guitar :)

[@andysaucedo3226]

What's the flash time between coats of the OMNI clear?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I don't know, please consult the manufacturer for product details

[@harcourtmudd]

I'm 64 years of age and worked for The Petty race team for 2 seasons in my early career and Lacquer was it back then. Dried fast could be polished and repaired easily. I was a PPG certified refinish technician when I moved on to "road car" repair. During that period lacquer began to fade in use. Catalyzed materials took over. For the last 15 years before I retired I worked as a Aviation composite technician working with carbon laminates and Mil Spec coatings. I have used pretty much everything and I agree very much with with your get over it and move on point of view. Catalyzed materials rule the day and they are also dangerous. I had to retire early because I got sensitized to any exposure. Yes I used protective equipment but this stuff is powerfull and people react to it even small amounts that may still be in the mix area or fumes venting as something is curing. Got to be careful! I think we are at the time the next generation of coatings will soon take over and that seems to be UV activated. Hit it with light and bam its cured. Dentists have been fixing your teeth with it for years. Its used in manufacturing and is now getting out to the public. While I have not used it I do plan to!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I got it :)

[@lowplainstu]

Hei. We can't find that manufacturer here in France. Can you tell me what type of paint and hardener it is. Is it Polyurethane. Sorry if that's a dumb question.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I would contact the manufacturer, they ship worldwide

[@rmccain99]

OMG! Fantastic! No don't buff it. What do you think about furniture polish.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I think it is terrific for furniture...

[@dougdeeper2537]

Love Chris' version of the catch phrase! Experience is the best teacher!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

We were talking yesterday about a series of outtakes that is Chris finding his catch phrase

[@onewiththings]

Do you really need to clearcoat roasted maple?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I think you should seal all woods. Only you can decide if you really need to.

[@MonsterGuitars]

I'm late to the party and loving this series. The brands are different over here (New Zealand). But is that two-part clear similar to 2K poly?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

The clear we use is a canalizing product and some people call that "2K"... industry standard name. I hear that there is a product named 2K... proper name. I have not used that specific product. These days we use Tamco Euro Clear

[@MonsterGuitars]

@@TexasToastGuitars Thank you. Yeah I meant the general class of products, not the specific brand name.

[@aaronfuksa2047]

I would like to perhaps find a water-based catalyzed alternative? Any thing come to mind for appling over acrylic enamel?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I do not know

[@paulblackman3936]

Why do you clear coat the fingerboards?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Hi Paul, that is a great question, we clear coat the maple boards because it is not an oily wood and is also a light colored wood. You want to have some kind of finish to keep crud from getting into the board and oil finish doesn't always cut it on maple.

[@nashmanzl]

So I'm beating up the net trying to find the product, and not much for prices. What am I missing here? The website itself certainly isn't forthcoming. No cart.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

www.finishmaster.com/locations/

[@qrstw]

Ive always wondered if you use lacquer and then a clear coat of some other type of paint that doesnt deteorate, does the lacquer still crack?

[@roberth4688]

Mario Infante you can run into lots of issues especially if the lacquer has not finished off gassing. It’s better to just use urethane.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

There are companies that spray a final wash coat of lacquer over all the other paints they use. It makes the case smell like solvents and will check and yellow too.

[@solarismoon3046]

PPG paints are polyurethane which is a soft finish. It expands and contracts as opposed to lacquer which as you already know does not. I would love to have the catalyzed version as it cleans up easily and doesn't need lacquer thinner which is very hot but can be cleaned with acetone. Also polyurethane has much better sanding properties and can be wetsanded and rubbed out easier and is higher build than lacquer. It can be put on in thin layers without wetsanding in between and it doesn't yellow with successive coats or check when it hardens which with the styrene solids in it do not get as hard as lacquer. And it can therefore be sprayed over wood and metal and not expand at a different rate or crack and get chips in it. Much better quality all the way around. Too many dinosaur dolts romanticise lacquer simply because it was all the Fender had back in the fifties other than either varnish or shellac and neither of those are durable finishes.

[@j.w.5485]

So, do yo just spray the the clear on the frets? Do you do a full redress or do you just knock the clear off the top?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Yes the clear goes right over the frets and gets scraped off later

[@edadpops1709]

Is this a cat lacqure, varnish or something else omni not simtech now?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Simtec is the sealer PPG Omni is the top coat. We shot this quick video before we knew how popular this topic was going to be. We have lots more on this topic coming your way.

[@roberth4688]

Edad Martin it’s a urethane. It’s car clear coat.

[@edadpops1709]

Seems like a great system. I have the accuspray hvlp with the pps only way to go. You work from home shop right? What about the smell any neighborhood probs? I know spraying nitro was to much from my home shop. Maybe show ing your fan and filter setup would be of interest for viewers. Look forward to the next one.

[@edadpops1709]

Robert H thanks

[@glanderguitars6475]

You guys rock. That's all I can say.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks my friend

[@glanderguitars6475]

@@TexasToastGuitars I've moved away from lacquer entirely. Now using the sealer you recommend, but can't get the clear coat here in Kalifornia. So I'm using a product that's similar and available. And using that Iwata air gun you recommend has made a HUGE improvement in the finish. All good stuff. Thanks again.

[@DynaZor]

Can you also show us how to make the wood texture pop up (like stained flamed maple) and how to finish it afterwards? My dream guitar will have book-matched stained flamed maple top, with a 2 color transparent sunburst on top (similar to, but softer than PRS Custom 24) The more I watch your channel the more I like you :) (on most channels the more I watch the more I dislike them)

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for watching DynaZor, glad to hear you are enjoying the videos. I actually do have a few video just like that planned for the future. They haven't been made yet but probably later this summer. I hope you stick around.

[@DynaZor]

Texas Toast Guitars yay :) I'm sure they'll be good and the guitars will come out B-E-A-Utiful

[@germanprokofiev5550]

My question was about type of lacquer what you use. It's easy to answer or not?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

That is easy to answer... we do not use lacquer of any kind. Like I said... we will be covering topics like exactly what paints we use in future videos that we are working on right now. If you don't want to wait for the next videos go to your local PPG automotive paint dealer, that's what we did

[@germanprokofiev5550]

Texas Toast Guitars Thank you

[@Iley891]

It looks really great! Thanks for the video ;)

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for watching my friend, glad to hear you are enjoying them

[@germanprokofiev5550]

What name the product you use?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

We will be deep diving into what we use in future videos. The thing to keep in mind is not what works for us but what works for you.

[@peterjames2580]

You guys are great!!!!!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for watching Peter, nice to hear people are digging the videos.

[@JohnAdams-xc5yk]

Tell that to the Fender Custom shop

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Tell them what?

[@joealvardo3618]

I've been auto painter for 40+ years and haven't used lacquer since the 1980s. I didn't even think you could still buy lacquer.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Hi Joe, it is still available but I hear the concentration is not that same as it was back in the day.

[@krustybuzzard2477]

Just a question. The last time I sprayed any omni clear was a few years ago and it sprayed well but it only called for 2 coats of clear on car parts..after spraying 1000s of cars I put it on wet just as I want it to look when done first coat only a bit drier. Why do you use so many coats?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I'm not really sure, lets see if Chris will chime in. I can tell you that the clear coats, in total, is very thin when it's all said and done. Maybe he doesn't spray as wet as y'all did? What did you think of the Omni clear? It is my understanding that the biggest difference is the lack of UV protection... something we don't really care too much about

[@krustybuzzard2477]

Texas Toast Guitars do yourself a big fan or my friend.take a scrap 2x4 o4 1x6 something big enough to see what's happening with that clear as you spray it.open your paint un up full paint volune.next turn your air on. Not ssuper high but 20lbs or so than spray a pass on that board as wet as you want it to look when it's done being buffed.. on some objects like side view mirrors 1 coat was enough so you wet that shit down no buffing and I repeat Not need to buff other than the orange peal that is left. If it is as smooth as glass why would you?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

The Iwata gun sprays so smooth that we only wet sand the big flat spots these days. I was talking with some guys the other day about sanding through or buffing through and I told them the same thing. If you get your clear to lay out smooth enough that you don't have to wet sand... and no one can tell your didn't wet sand... why are you wet sanding

[@krustybuzzard2477]

Texas Toast Guitars grit your teath rythum is the key and don't double coat.

[@texastoastchris]

I usually put on 4-5 coats. The spec sheet says 3, Mike Learn said 4-5, so I went with his suggestion. I'm afraid if I only did 3, I'd buff right thru it after color sanding. I think guitar tops have to be super smooth, smoother than a car fender, especially if it's a dark solid color. We do 2-3 on natural colored necks that aren't getting color sanded. I spray pretty wet - I've put runs in it in the past.

[@MichaelScottPerkins]

Man, I hate to be "that guy" that posts this question, but I looked into it, and the Anest Iwata LPH400 costs $500! Do you have a recommendation for a really descent (good) gun that isn't two car payments? StewMac sells an HVLP gun for like $35, I think. I've seen them at Harbor Freight for right around that same price. I can only imagine that if an Iwata is $500, the $35 gun can't be much of a step up from the nozzle on a Walmart brand can of spray paint. But maybe I'm wrong. You guys don't strike me as the "pay top dollar for brand names, even though they aren't any better," kinda guys.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Hi Michael, we didn't want to drop that kind of money on the spray gun for clear but we were told by our good buddy Mike Learn... who has forgotten more about painting that we will ever know to use that one. You can certainly get great results with lower cost spray guns. You can also tell a difference when spraying the top coat we use with this gun. I say try a few and see what works for you. Like you say, you can get spray guns for not a lot of money and see if you like them. What kind of paints are you spraying?

[@MrUltraworld]

Just 10 oz did all that. The results are fantastic.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks Fred, the new HVLP guns have a lot to do with it as well. We put paint on pretty thin but less over spray is a key feature.

[@MrUltraworld]

My friend builds high end furniture and has a booth. Like you, I save up all my paint work and bring it to him, I provide the labor so he just has to spray. I took down all the materials & gun/consumables, there's a good paint shop nearby. I'm going to invest in these products, the results are just too good. You're using less material than a nitro job and it looks twice as good. Thank You

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for watching Fred. Having a spray booth 20 feet from the shop really makes getting a decent finish much easier. Our booth is actually a large ToughShed that we converted

[@MrDeepwatermarine]

Can y’all just paint my guitar? I live in Houston. Where is Texas Toast?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Wo do not offer that service

[@ederst9759]

A tip for those who like to relic their guitars, and a little Fender trivia to boot: The original "Tobacco Sunburst" guitars came about because in the late fifties everyone in the factory smoked, and it would leave a nice thick layer of nicotine tar on the body before they sprayed on the nitro-cellulose finish. Truth is stranger than fiction, eh?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

It's never too early to start smoking kids

[@ederst9759]

@@TexasToastGuitars Oh-Yeah... and if you believe that story, I'll tell you the one about how Fender once, in a pinch, used Cherry Kool-Aid to stain their "Cherry Sunburst" Stratocasters, and how the "Kool"-Aid company got it's name from a famous brand of cigarettes. Fortunately, both companies ceased using Red Dye No. 2, when it was banned in 1976 by the FDA, so if you have one, hold onto that pre-'76 Cherry Sunburst Strat, it could be worth something someday.

[@ederst9759]

Actually, this gives me an idea: Could I commission a guitar in the shape of the Kool-Aid man, maybe take a Les Paul custom and chop it down and add a handle? I think Kool-Aid may be one of the few beverage companies that hasn't had Fender, or Squire, build them a promo guitar, yet...

[@ederst9759]

Just make sure to choose wisely what you smoke. Remember, "Your body is a temple"... ;)

[@mr.esabsurditiesatrocities1805]

That guitar body was damn pretty just hanging there all shiny and whatnot.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

You know it, wait until you see it next it is pretty neat, totally absurd but neat

[@jrumiano]

One huge thing you did not mention is the dangers of spraying catalyzed urethane without the required proper positive air respirator equipment. Isocyanates are the dangerous part of catalyzed urethane. Even a NOSH-approved activated Charcoal cartridge respirator is not really be enough to protect your lungs. Common symptoms of Isocyanates in your lungs are asthma attacks, which may become severe, with some sensitized reactions even known to cause death. It's not really meant for non-professional untrained use. I think you did everyone watching this a great disservice only mentioning the better then lacquer stuff but not mentioning the dangers of that crap.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thankfully you are here to provide people with the safety information.

[@74dartman13]

Great video Chris! I've learned a lot from the two you made recently! Appreciate it!👍😎🎸🎶

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for watching Dart Man

[@74dartman13]

Texas Toast Guitars yep...you're welcome! I try not to miss any of your videos...I always learn something new every time!👍😎🎸🎶

[@michaelw6277]

I don’t understand the general fixation among guitarists on actually *wanting* a beat up looking guitar. If you want an old guitar I understand… get an old guitar. I like old cars but I’m not out looking for something with visible “relic” issues like rust. The QC issues present in the pre-CBS era of Fender would be absolutely unacceptable today. Multiple versions of the same color because different suppliers sent slightly different paints, sometimes guitars got undercoats sometimes they didn’t, “custom” color guitars started as screwed up burst rejects, and within a few years of use your “white” guitar would turn a wonderful shade of banana pudding. Much of that can be forgiven though, because they were doing what they could with what they had. That said these days when I get around to painting a guitar I’m inclined to do what they did, which is to source modern automotive paints and spray my guitar with that. I mean hell I can take a fresh body in white, do the prep work and undercoat seal, and drop the thing off at a MAACO and ask them to spray it in whatever color they have left over from a car they just did (assuming it’s a color I’d like) and whatever clear they use and be on my way.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Me either

[@tsmith8567]

LOL great end and Amen, the mistakes are the teaching tools :)

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Education costs money I seem to learn that almost daily hahaha

[@twothreebravo]

Chris needs to work on his tag line

[@TexasToastGuitars]

We were thinking a video with nothing but outtakes of Chris trying tag lines