Four4
I have done a few rattle-can refinishes in the past that turned out fairly well. What I did find difficult was building up a thick enough clear coat to allow sufficient sanding for a smooth, glossy finish without burning through to the colour coats. The cost of the paint added up rather quickly because I couldn't get many coats out of each can.
I now have access to a compressor and was thinking about trying another refinish on my old bullet strat. I was wondering if there was a locally available (Mica, Builder's Warehouse etc.) clear lacquer that anyone on the forum could recommend for the finishing coats? Something easy to use that I could just thin, and spray. Brand and product names would be very helpful, or if you could tell me what key words to look out for on the tin?
Skylark
NC or 2k at a car paint shop is probably the best bet, relatively inexpensive.
selbydoodl
Have you considered using shellac and finishing with a final clear lacquer?
Jonathandj
Researching the same thing. Reaction Lacquer such as one of the Chemspec products is, according to pro advice, good for building up a hard clear finish. Unfortunately only 5L and more packs. Also goes hard pretty quickly according to the literature and is catalyst activated. I suspect that the stuff can be mixed is smaller quantities.
AlanRatcliffe
The Chemspec catalysed lacquer does work well - I've used it a few times when in a rush, unwilling to wait for a nitro to cure. Just be sure to clean out your gun immediately as soon as you finish each set of coats - once it cures, that's it... Also, don't keep it on a shelf longer than a couple of years - doesn't work as well when it gets old.
You can mix up small amounts - I do. Just keep the ratios the same and you're golden.
