first time spray finishing q's

[mike-p]

Hi patient people.

As always am very glad that I followed Ken's advice and got some srap to try spraying on.

I have the basic Earlex spray station, thixotropic grain filler, cellulose sanding sealer, celloluse black lacquer and clear nitrocellulose for the top coat.

I'm supposed to do 2/3 coats, wait 4 hours (this one will be overnight) 2/3 coats - 4 hours - 2/3 coats. Then leave for 24 hours, repeat the process with the black lacquer, then 24 hours and repeat with the clear nitro.

Only managed to get a smallish piece of walnut but got a good size piece of spruce. Both were rough from the supplier so sanded down 80-120-180-280.

Sprayed two coats with 15 mins between, coats were a bit thick and I'm not sure if I filled the walnut pores well enough because they seem to be still very present in the lacquer. The finish also has some drips. Should i see this through with the whole spraying schedule as outlined or sand back, pore-fill and try again.

Basically am not really sure how it should look/feel after two coats, If I've done a bad job then i should start again. Any advice?

[ken cierp]

With water borne pore filler you need to seal the wood "first" this helps to minimize the distortion and major raised grain caused by the water. Since you are using a solid color coat you can really pack on the pore filler -- the filling process should leave a perfectly smooth surface with no pores at all showing.

[mike-p]

I spoke to the supplier and with this particular grain filler it's a little different apparently. You scrape it on hard into the pores and then scrape as much residue from the surface immediately, as if you let it dry you will apparently 'need an angle grinder to remove it'. I don't know if it's water based or not but I was not advised to seal first. I think maybe I should have done the pore-filling process more than just once. Looking on the side of the pot it does say 'repeat if necessary' seemed to be all nice and smooth after i'd filled and sanded but I guess it wasn't. Better try the other side of the scrap sheet then. . .

[ken cierp]

"if you let it dry you will apparently 'need an angle grinder to remove it"
Than its garbage and should not be used on a guitar!!

[mike-p]

It went on without difficulty when I followed the suppliers instructions, they were very helpful, I think I just needed to repeat the filling process a few more times.

[ken cierp]

Statement still stands -- every single maker of a premium pore filler mentions ease of sanding -- there is good reason for that attribute.

[ken cierp]

I see now the product is oil base like Pore O Pac -- but that get thinned so it flows a little. here's some info that might interest http://www.tdpri.com/forum/finely-finis ... wrong.html