dartfords Tinted Nitro Lacquers - Aerosols
* NB. Please note nitro lacquers marked thus (*) ie currently:
*Black (Strong)
*Vintage Butterscotch
*Blonde White
*Turquoise
These are noted as pigmented nitro lacquers:
Clear base but with solid colour pigments, these will give you a semi-opaque finish that will allow just a little bit of grain to show through. ie. These are less transparent than the other nitro lacquer colours available in the listing.
Available in handy 400ml Aerosol cans, these are popular semi-transparent colours and tints in nitrocellulose.
Amount required varies between woods, but is usually about 150ml actual nitro content (ie approx 2 aerosols) for a standard electric guitar body.
Clear nitro cellulose lacquer can be used over the tinted lacquers, to give a protective top coat that can be polished to a high gloss.
Nitrocellulose lacquer, often referred to as nitro or cellulose lacquer, is a classic finish used on cars, instruments and furniture up to 1970s. While no longer used to lacquer automobiles it remains a popular finish for guitars and furniture, particularly on vintage restoration and reproduction pieces.
Famously used on the original Fender electric guitars in the 1950s, nitrocellulose lacquer gives a thin finish that brings out and enhances the appearance of the wood grain. Available in a wide selection of tinted see-through colours, nitro lacquer can be used to create stunning see-through coloured and sunburst finishes.
Nitrocellulose guitar lacquer is an air-drying lacquer which sets through solvent evaporation. Once sprayed the cellulose thinner and other solvents evaporate to leave behind the nitrocellulose resins, thus forming the finish. Compared to contemporary lacquers, its lower solids content makes it easy to achieve a thin finish which is ideal for guitars (both electric and acoustic), as it does not inhibit the movement of the wood.
As can be seen on guitars from the 50s, nitro changes as it ages. After being sprayed the lacquer can crack and discolour as time passes - this process can take anything from months to decades, but will happen eventually. The effect can be seen where it has been used as a guitar lacquer, changing the appearance of the paint underneath to make it more yellow, with blue finishes now looking greener and red finishes looking more orange than when they were originally sprayed.
NB. Not all colours and sizes maybe available locally here in Australia – please contact us for any special requests/future orders.
Nitrocellulose lacquer cannot be shipped by air – it is currently delivered by road transport. Always spray in a well ventilated area, keep away from children, pregnant women and animals, and always wear suitable safety equipment including gloves and filtered facemask. Recommended for professional use only.
Clear nitro topcoats currently available in aerosol include:
- Gloss
- Satin
- Matt
See here for a useful comparison of various clear lacquers and attributes: