Lacquer Question

[dl351]

Hello all. I have a quick lacquer question. I've turned some handles on fire steels that I want to sell. I decided to just finish them with spray lacquer. How long should I wait for the lacquer to cure before I sell them? Thanks.

 

[Scratch]

Are you talking about an aerosol or a spray gun? I spray mine with a gun and Air Compressor and I usually wait at least 24 hrs.

 

[dl351]

Are you talking about an aerosol or a spray gun? I spray mine with a gun and Air Compressor and I usually wait at least 24 hrs.

Spray can. I did a couple coats a few days ago with Watco Lacquer Spray (that can crapped out on me), then a couple coats of Deft Lacquer Spray earlier today.

 

[ldb2000]

While Lacquer dries fairly quickly , it is NOT fully cured in 24 hours . Most Lacquers take at least 10 days to 2 weeks to fully cure .

 

[ctubbs]

Butch has the right numbers. When we painted a car with lacquer, it sat in the sun for a full 24 hrs before light bufffing then back outside for a week before hitting the clean up shop for the final work. Even at that, we had to buff very lightly or the metal would pop through the paint. Let it cure at least a week in warm conditions. Lacquer dries, and the last coat wet every bit of the paint on the object therefore it has to dry from the bottom out. If handled too soon, it may have a tendency to soften back up and become very gummy requiring stripping of the finish and starting over. Not fun. Now all this is from many years ago. The finishing industry had made many changes over the years so YMMV. However, better safe than sorry with any finish.
Charles

 

[dl351]

Thanks for the input! I'll wait until I try to sell them.

Charles, yes auto paint industry has changed drastically over the years. Especially here in California, where I live. It used to be two part polyurethane, but now all automotive paint needs to be water born!