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I need some advice from the experienced folks on spraying apparatus for nitrocellulose lacquer please.

First, is it at all reasonable to try to shoot a decent nitro finish on a guitar with a compressor-driven air brush? I'd really like to have an air brush, but all my paint experience, which is limited, has been cars, and I have my doubts about producing a really great lacquer finish with a small compressor and an air brush. But I'm no expert in this area, so maybe you can. Anyone know?

Second, assuming the air brush is out, is there a preference for standard or HPLV spray guns for nitrocellulose lacquer in lutherie? An HPLV gun holds the attraction of using a lot less finish, less overspray and reduced fumes, but at the low pressures at which they operate will there be a problem spraying nitro?

Also, would a turbine driven HPLV gun or a pressure-reducing compressor-driven HPLV gun be better for shooting lacquer?

And if a standard gun would be better, would a gravity feed, siphon feed, or pressure feed gun be best for the nitrocellulose lacquer used in lutherie?

Lastly, what sort of compressor am I going to need to drive whatever gun I buy so as to avoid orange peel and other insufficient pressure problems?

What would make up the ideal luthier's nitrocellulose lacquer spraying rig?

Thanks for your time and the benefit of your knowledge and experience!

Rick

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Rick

I have done the big rig with a Binks booth, a giant Campbell-Hausfeld compressor, and a Sharp touch-up gun. When I closed my shop in the music store, I sold all that stuff.

I am still using the crappy little Miller compressor and single-action airbrush rig I bought at KMart back in the 70's for $19. Sure, I bought extra brushes, bottles, and nozzles. I even bought an extra compressor motor in case I needed it - which I haven't (it's a sewing machine motor).The plastic base the compressor is mounted on cracked years ago, and the whole mess is bolted to a quarter inch piece of masonite.

It works like a champ, and has done hundreds of finishing (and refinishing) jobs. They are still available from Miller (I think), and are absolutely foolproof. The bottle is just right for two thin coats of sealer or lacquer. You can't go wrong....

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Thanks very much for the feedback gentlemen, that gives me some perspective on the matter.

The Fuji Minimite 3 sounds like just the sort of rig I'm looking for, and with the results Chris is getting with his inexpensive air brush rig, I might buy the Minimite 3 as well as a moderately-priced air brush rig as a backup and for those occasions when I get the artistic urge - if I could ever bring myself to aim it at a soundboard or back and do something really unusual. It might be fun to do a couple of "art" guitars with an airbrush and some wildly overdone inlay.

Todd, every time I see your avatar pic, it makes me long to go sailing!

Rick

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Rick

I would hate to do a whole guitar with my air brush but it is great for finish repair work. I use a HVLP DeVilbiss touch up gun with a small compressor 6 cfm at 40 psi and am very happy with the results.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
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