Spraying a guitar with water-based lacquer-tips & techniques

In this video I explain how I spray and polish a guitar using a water-based lacquer. I also talk about the equipment I use and some of the things I have learnt having worked with water-based lacquer for at least 15 years.
flameguitars.co.uk

[@JimsevenFrankenstein]

Oh yeah that guitar is exquisite! The multiple combinations of woods was just gorgeous! I particularly loved the way the maple through neck stood out against the walnut on the back. Spectacular! Thanks for uploading some more knowledge for us thirsty viewers! Effort on your part always appreciated.

[@Iwoodlikethat]

That's outstanding. I love it when the finish goes into the grain a bit.

[@stevedimebag]

Love your call temperament and thorough explanation of these processes that most others skip over

[@MinivanMegafun100]

Wow such beautiful work! I love your care and craftsmanship!

[@flameguitars5770]

Thank you

[@bluesingmusic3443]

The grain on the Ash really popped, after polishing. I thought, a little staining would make it show better, but I was wrong. It looks great as it is!!! Beautiful guitar.

[@flameguitars5770]

Thank you

[@bluesingmusic3443]

@@flameguitars5770 You're welcome. Haven't seen a video from you, in a bit.

[@yerblues10]

You are an absolute craftsman. Beautiful guitar, the finish is incredible, depth of gloss yet no 10mm thick lacquer!

[@flameguitars5770]

Thank you. I appreciate your kind comments

[@andrewbritton6134]

Looks fabulous!

[@amnesia271]

Impeccable craftsmanship!

[@alanbrewer9454]

Well you knocked that one out of the park, super job and a very interesting and informative video which I very much enjoyed watching thank you

[@stevedavo79]

Lovely finish.

[@logrinn]

Beautiful work. Bravo!

[@stratnut]

A master at work! Lovely craftsmanship and an interesting video to watch

[@flameguitars5770]

Thanks.Glad you enjoyed it

[@copdoc]

Outstanding video! Thank you.

[@glennselwitz1377]

Beautiful work nice to see you getting back into youtube land..always very enjoyable..keep em coming..

[@TheNaKio]

Looks so elegant. So nice.

[@loumonte658]

Now that's paying attention to detail.

[@FenderBenderBilly]

Superb work, as always - BTW thanks for my stainless steel re-fret on my strat - it plays better than new now - many thanks again

[@flameguitars5770]

Thanks Brett. glad the refret was a success.

[@csnelling4]

Lovely job 👍🇬🇧🍷

[@georges8348]

Enduro is an oil modified water based finish that will amber out when expose to ultraviolet over time.

[@jonmatthews4254]

Outstanding wood. AAAAAAA

[@jamesi7452]

I just found your site 👍 really I joy seeing you build . I most like the way you buff the guitar . Everything about this build is tasteful and so well executed . I know this is a year old post but I have a question i hope you have time to answer . How did you retrofit the grinder to buff with ? I’m trying to do the same and haven’t found the materials . If you can help me out it would be greatly appreciated . Buffing wheel brand and the arbor extension you’ve used , thanks so much

[@flameguitars5770]

I use a slow running grinder. This runs at a slower speed than most grinders, which is better for buffing and polishing. I then attach a spindle adaptor to which I am able to fix the various buffing wheels I use. If you want more information send me an email.

[@bikerboy7126]

Lovely. Thanks. 👍

[@EdVanMeyer]

Ash is a real problem wood for levelling as the grain is a bit 'rough'

[@petecoates6410]

Fantastic - thanks for sharing. Great guitars too David. I have just invested in a Fuji system to spray water based and nitro on my guitar builds. Can you tell me a bit more about how you did your spray booth? I have very limited space too in my workshop/garage and need some good ideas for a set up. Thanks

[@flameguitars5770]

I think the starting point for a really good spray finish is to have a professional spray system, which you gave got. The other thing I would say is to really focus on grain filling before any top coats are applied. I have been slow to learn this. I have a separate spray booth. It is small but big enough to spray 2 guitars. If has a simple extract system. But I am only spraying water based top coats so I dont have to worry about creating explosive atmospheres. Good luck with this.

[@petecoates6410]

Hi again David. Would you be able to share where you source the enduro general finishes gloss from ? I am having trouble finding a source to buy from All the best !

[@henryhunter5026]

Thanks for another excellent interesting video. As always I’m very impressed by your knowledge, skills and attention to detail, the finished guitar looks incredible. I have to wonder what percentage of the build cost goes into a finishing guitar to such a high standard , my guess is probably around 20%. Looking forward to seeing another new video from you soon.

[@flameguitars5770]

Thanks Henry. A good finish is time consuming and I know I dont charge for the true cost in time of a lacquered finish. But as you might of guessed the profit margin is not my main driver for building guitars.

[@xylonguitars]

Hi David, thank you do much for sharing your advice and great content. May I please ask where you managed to source the general finishes products in the UK? best wishes, Evangelos

[@flameguitars5770]

Eurofinishes, who are based in Scotland

[@xylonguitars]

@@flameguitars5770 thank you so much, very kind of you to come back to me! best wishes Evangelos

[@davidnuzzaci2459]

A truly beautiful looking instrument , thank you for sharing your finishing technique . I've not felt a water based finish on a guitar neck for smoothness and tackiness ?

[@flameguitars5770]

I've never noticed that stickiness you might associate with a nitro finish. I would say it feels like a typical Fender neck.

[@piptyson5512]

Can you give the make and model number of that buffer? The company logo looks familiar, but I can't place it.

[@flameguitars5770]

I am using an Axminster tools slow grinder which is adapted for buffing

[@solarismoon3046]

Lacquer is NOT WATER BASED!! It's not a generic term or product. It was invented in 1923 by the Plasti-Kote company. Despite the name modern day finishes that we relate to plastic like Polyurethane, Urethane, or Polyester plastic isn't actually a product but an attribute. Meaning that anything that could go from being a liquid to a solid state and be elastic or solid was considered "Plastic". And acrylic is also NOT LACQUER! Not the same animal at all. Acrylic was developed many years later in 1954 by the DuPont Corporation and only offered ENAMEL and ACRYLIC formulations. How they figured that it was, is or ever would be LACQUER is beyond me! And water based finishes SUCK! I hate them as they will never be as durable as solvent based finishes.