Lacquer Question for John Hall (or anyone else)

[BlindBo]

Hey John. That was a great post on finishing. I’m getting close to finishing my current Uke project and have a question. I’ve heard you say a number of times regarding top finishing, “It’s not about how much lacquer you apply, it’s how much you leave on.”
For those of us who are less experienced, can you quantify this for us?
Thanks,
Bo

[Diane Kauffmds]

He means that you can put 100 coats, or 10 coats, and end up with the same thickness. You have to level with sanding, so it depends on how much you need to level, and how much is left on the guitar after leveling, polishing.

[BlindBo]

Thanks Diane. Is it also not a question of leaving too much on will over-stiffen the top?

[tippie53]

I am for about .006 on the top I use tape and measure the finish as it builds. .010 to .012 is plenty as that will shrink 20% then though the flatten and level sanding , it all about polish and buff. Prep well it makes it more consistent

[BlindBo]

Thanks, John. That’s what I was interested in. Hopefully that will help others too.
Am I correct in assuming that If you get the lacquer too thick, it affects the tone?

[phavriluk]

I think anyone building up a thick layer of lacquer and trying to level it in one pass is likely to put on way too much lacquer and leave on way too much. Although it is time consuming, I believe that amateur finishers get better results by applying a wet cross coat, letting it dry, leveling it with a block and scraper, and repeating the process until the last leveling doesn't have shiny spots , aka low grain. This takes a while and many repetitions. Finishing an instrument ain't like painting a car.

But I'm an amateur whose time has no cash value.

[BlindBo]

But I'm an amateur whose time has no cash value.

ME TOO!!!!😂