Lacquer

[Bove]

If someone were overhauling an instrument and having it re-lacquered, or lacquering a new instrument, would there be anything to look out for when choosing someone to do the lacquer job? Are there different kinds of lacquer? (Different levels of quality?) Since this stuff is sprayed on, like paint, it seems like there could be some variation in thickness or quality of the application between jobs.

Has anyone dealt with a great “lacquererâ€

[Chuck(G)]

Are there different kinds of lacquer? (Different levels of quality?) Since this stuff is sprayed on, like paint, it seems like there could be some variation in thickness or quality of the application between jobs.

First of all, preparation is a huge part of the result. The instrument needs to be buffed to a mirror finish, with all of the nooks and crannies carefully ragged oiut and then the whole works thoroughly cleaned and degreased (buffing compound has a sort of greasy wax in it).

There are two types of lacquer in current use. The first, and older sort, is nitrocellulose lacquer. It doesn't adhere well to metal surfaces, but does have a brilliant finish and is quite thin and fairly hard. It has only moderate durability and does become brittle with age. However, when new, it looks like a million bucks.

The other type of lacquer that is more common today is not actually a lacquer, but an epoxy resin coating. While not having the brilliance or the hardness of a true lacquer finish, it is considerably tougher and more durable. It does leave a thicker coat, so if you're concerned about acoiustical effects, this is the lacquer that has the best probability of exhibiting them (there is a great deal of debate on this subject).

Epoxy coatings must be "cured" by baking, so there is an extra step in the process. On the other hand, epoxy coatings are not nearly as flammable during the application process as nitrocellulose, which is explosively so.

There is a third type of "lacquer', polyurethane, but I don't know if any manufacturer uses it as an instrument finish.

[Chuck(G)]

P.S. Here's a report back on my Ren-wax experiment, using it (Renaissance Wax) as a coating on a raw brass horn.

It still looks good, though the brass has darkened some (as expected). Fingerprints still don't show and drool marks are easily wiped off. So far, so good.