Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi all,

I've got a couple banduras to finish and because the weather is nice, I decided to give nitro a try. My previous finishes have been the acrylic stuff and varnish, all of which worked pretty well but did have some problems. The waterborne stuff takes about a million coats and I still do get the blue haze (tho less over time) and while the varnish looked great (P&L 38) at first, it was imprinting for several months after the last application in spite of the addition of a bit of Japan drier to the mix. I'll probably try varnish again at some point because it just looks so great. I'll try the Epiphanes next.

Anyhow, for these projects, I'm going to go the Nitro route. I've got to order some stuff from LMI anyway so I thought I might try out the Cardinal Lacquer they're selling so the questions are these:

1) Anybody have any major problems with it?

2) Coverage - I've got two banduras to finish. I guesstimate that 1 Bandura = 1.3 guitars as far as surface area goes. Will a quart cover me or should I go for the gallon?

2a) If I go with the gallon and have leftovers, what's the shelf life on this stuff.

TIA

_________________
http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

I really liked using this stuff. The only thing that is not really a drawback is it is thinned some compared to other stuff. You might have to put a little more on compared other products. The gallon is the better deal. I checked my gallon can and it seems ok after being on the shelf for about 6 months.

_________________
Wisdom is justified by her children

Don't spray too thick of a coat because you might get solvent pop bubbles.

Andy, I have finished about 25 guitars with Cardinal lacquer. Compared to the well-known brands such as Mohawk, Behlen, Seagrave/McFadden, the Cardinal seems to have a significantly higher solids content and hardens much faster. There is also less shrinkage & pore settling. I reduce about 5-10% and the finish builds quickly. As previously mentioned, solvent pop can be an issue if you get too heavy-handed with your applications.

I probably sand back more than necessary between applications but I don't think that a quart would be quite enough for your Bandura. I get about 3 guitars out of a gallon using very low pressure with Iwata guns.

Shelf life for nitro is typically years if you keep it cool, sealed and away from U.V.

Without sounding like I have a stake in Cardinal (I don't) the product is in a class of it's own. I get finishes that are near-perfect with significantly less labor and time than I was used to with other brands. I hope that Cardinal keeps making the stuff.

Mike Franks
www.mjfranksguitars.com
www.facebook.com/mjfranksguitars

I've only finished about 10 guitars with Cardinal. I have used all the other brands, and have switched back to Mohawk since Mcfaddens is out of business (I know about Seagraves, it's over priced). With Cardinal, you'll need a few more coats since it is thinner than the others. I had the bubble issue on one guitar, probably too heavy of a coat...trying to make up for how thin it is.

Chuck

_________________
_________________

I sprayed with a it few times and like it, I don't thin it. I like the faster cure time myself. Haven't had a bubble issue with yet.

_________________
Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Thanks guys - I ordered it up this morning.

_________________
http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

I have used lacquer that has been in the can for over 20 years. AFAIK, the shelf life is infinite. If it gets too thick from age, just add a bit more thinner.

_________________
John

It DOES have a pretty darn long shelf life, but it continues to turn yellow even in the can before spraying, so a 20 year old can of laquer would be more amber than a new one.

_________________
Old growth, shmold growth!