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I have been finishing my builds with aerosol lacquer for 6 years now. I have used just about every type that is available locally, ranging from $6-$10 a can. It polishes well, gives a high gloss, looks great, but I have not been satisfied with the softness that seems to remain for months, some of it forever.
I did some research, and came to the conclusion that there are so many additives in aerosol to make them spray better, and other properties, that it is basically junk. I realised I needed to use a more pro product. But I did not and don't have the cash for a compressor and spray rig at this time. So this year I resolved to use the preval sprayers and lay down some Behlens lacquer, and just see how it worked out. So far I am really impressed.
I laid down the first coats yesterday. The Preval unit is far from ideal, and I got some orange peel. But even as I was laying down the lacquer I noticed a big difference. This lacquer even looks better than the aerosol can stuff. More natural, for lack of a better word.
So I finished up yesterday, and hung the guitar overnight. Imagine my surprise when I came back and found that pretty much all of the orange peel is gone.
I'm laying down some more coats today, but so far I'm really happy with the outcome. I can't believe I waited so long to try this, and I will never again use aerosol can lacquers. For anyone still finishing with the cans, my advice is ditch them, and if you can't afford a compressor rig right now, buy the Preval units and a quart of decent lacquer. You won't go back.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

I use the cheap HVLP sprayer from Harbor Freight. Works for most of what I do.

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Wisdom is justified by her children

Fwiw, the price of the preval sprayers will add up to a gun and compressor soon enough. From what I recall, it takes about 5 units per guitar at 7$ a unit...ish.

But a step up from aerosol anyway.

Definitely a step up. And fwiw, I build electrics, which is less surface area than acoustics. I have laid down enough lacquer on the neck, and finishing up on the body, and have used two of the preval units. It looks like I have enough lacquer down(half a quart at 2 to one ratio of lacquer to thinner), but I will know better come level and buff time.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

I just sprayed my first acoustic with Behlen's and so far I really like the results. I built a little spray booth last year but have been spraying water-based finishes that have not performed as I would like. I've used plenty of rattle-can lacquer but I was impressed with how easy it was to spray the Behlens. Got another week before I can level and buff but I have high hopes.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Steve, good luck, but judging from my initial experience there's a good chance you'll like the results. You mention you have another week before buff out. How much time are you allowing for cure before final buff out? I'm thinking minimum two weeks, but probably more like 4. I would appreciate if you can share your experiences in this regard.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Based on comments I've heard over the years I decided to wait 4 weeks. Compared to the water based finishes I've used, the Behlens finish looks more even so I'm hoping it will be easier to level.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Same here. Just took a while to figure out how to adjust it.

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

I also use the HF sprayer with it's 1.0mm needle. It was about $100 and well worth it!

Is this the sprayer you guys are talking about?

http://www.harborfreight.com/high-volume-low-pressure-spray-gun-kit-44677.html

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

I have one of those turbine sprayers, but rarely use it for small stuff like guitars. Mine has a plastic cup and requires dumping the solvent based finish after each use. It also puts out a lot more finish than necessary for a guitar. I use the Mohawk Lacquer in a small jamb gun and leave the finish in the cup until I'm done spraying (sometimes a week at a time).
You can buy a small compressor and a cheap jamb gun for about the same price and you will find a lot more uses for the compressor (blowing off dust, inflating tyres, etc.)
Moving up to a small spraygun from the preval units is your next logical step.

You guys have peeked my interest in this Harbor Freight system. Are you able to lay down a nice even coat with this, with little to no orange peel? I'm still using a regular spray gun with my compressor and I'm watching most of my material getting sucked out the spray booth. Drives me nuts literally throwing money out the window lol. I'm using the Behlen's instrument lacquer and if this system does the trick, I'm going to order one.

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Rob Flindall
Flindall Guitars
http://www.flindallguitars.com
https://www.facebook.com/FlindallGuitars

Rob, you can get similar if not same at princess auto. Sometimes for half off. Not exactly high end but they work fine for nitro. At least that's been my experience. Set viscosity and squirt at 30 psi.

Oh! I forgot. Here' one
http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/Hvlp ... /8155582.p
Ken

Many HVLP guns don't atomize the finish as finely as conventional spray guns - one reason there is less overspray. Getting the finish to lay flat (without orange peel) depends more on "flow out " then, rather than application. Using retarders to slow the loss of solvents might help you get a flatter finish.
The HF system is at the low end of HVLP spray equipment. I have seen expert finishers (not me) get excellent results with it using thin bodied materials. For furniture it can give you a good "off the gun" finish, but don't expect a guitar quality finish without some rubbing and buffing.

I can live with that, no problem, lol.
This thread is a wealth of information. Thanks to all who contributed to it. Much appreciated.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.