Polyurathane in a can?

[dazco]

I've painted bodies many times using canned paint, always laquer. But canned paint, at least laquer never seems to dry hard and even years later they'd be soft enough to put a dent in it with your fingernail. (i didn't use too much or not let each coat dry enough...it's the chemicals)

So i was thinking of painting a body white and i was wondering if anyone has experience with canned poly? first of all, does it dry hard? second, is it possible get smooth non-orange peel finishes? Unlike laquer you can't sand and polish it out by hand can you? so what, you just have to hope it flows smooth? Is it only possible to get a mirror level surface with machine buffing? the only thing i can imagine not having a buffing wheel is that after the last coat that you sanded and doesn't show thru, you do a final coat that will flow level because it's on top of a smooth poly coat? enlighten me please.

[GuitslingerTim]

Try minwax wipe-on poly, it will produce much better results than poly in a spray can.

[Retroman]

Have you tried the stuff from http:///www.reranch.com/ ?

I used a couple different Fender Custom colors from there and was very pleased with their product. Love the ability to wet sand and rub out nitro, which is more difficult to achieve with poly.

The problem with many off-the-shelf products is the amount of plasticizers in the formulation - to give the product some "bounce" and resilience .... unfortunately, that same component leaves the product with a soft surface.

Best to all -

Joe

[dazco]

I forgot about that reranch place. I don't want to use nitro, but they do have a forum and i can probably get more answers there. Thanks.

[dazco]

Try minwax wipe-on poly, it will produce much better results than poly in a spray can.

I can't imagine how you can get a mirrir smooth gloss white finish like that !

[HarryJ]

Try minwax wipe-on poly, it will produce much better results than poly in a spray can.

+1

This is my Alder/Lacewood Warmoth.
I used 2 ultra thin layers of hand applied poly with no dye stain at all, just natural grain.
I took poly and thinned it out substantially. Basically the same idea as Minwax. Very simple, came out great.
It's easy to achieve a very thin finish, so you don't have all the tone sopping globs of poly like some guitars.
I have refinned guitars with sprayed lacquer as well. This was so much easier and came out stellar

HJ


http://www.harryj.net/lacewood.jpg

[dazco]

Thats nice, but i'm doing a gloss white finish and i can't see how that would work. If i were going clear i'd consider it tho.

[paintguy]

forget spray on poly. Without a catalyst, it won't dry rock hard and be durable like mixed and then sprayed out of a gun poly. It won't spray smooth either. I could go on and on, but either get it done by a pro or use the reranch stuff if you are going for a buffed out, high gloss, ultra smooth finish.

Just mho.

[daddyo]

And be prepared to spray a lot of coats to get a wet look from rattle can lacquer - the can just doesn't put out enough spray. I've found rattle can lacquer works great for a softer shine, though.