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re: Pre-Cat Lacquer
I use the Mohawk pre-cat exclusively, I buy it by the gallon cans (and the vinyl sealer) for air spraying.
Used to be stupid cheap ($35/gallon) but even now at about $50, still a bargain.
The "pre mix" is good for 1 year typically, but I have used it 6 months after the "best by" date without issues.
Instructions are to let flash for 40 minutes then 220 scuff the surface for any additional coats. I used to scuff down the final with #0000 wool but now unless there are defects, I leave the final alone. When I used the "Gloss" for a table top, I went all out with a final sanding to 4000 to make a glass flat surface.
Not 100% sure if the spray cans are the same stuff (and expire) , but overall the pre-cat is sooo much better than the straight "Deft" for hardness. Never tried it without the sealer (provides a flexible layer between wood and lacquer). Favorite is "satin" which is glossy, but not plastic shiny, "Matte" is very flat.
Also impressed that I can spray it at 50F without issues, just different amounts of thinner depending on temp. Does have a strong odor but that dissipates over a week.
Used to be stupid cheap ($35/gallon) but even now at about $50, still a bargain.
The "pre mix" is good for 1 year typically, but I have used it 6 months after the "best by" date without issues.
Instructions are to let flash for 40 minutes then 220 scuff the surface for any additional coats. I used to scuff down the final with #0000 wool but now unless there are defects, I leave the final alone. When I used the "Gloss" for a table top, I went all out with a final sanding to 4000 to make a glass flat surface.
Not 100% sure if the spray cans are the same stuff (and expire) , but overall the pre-cat is sooo much better than the straight "Deft" for hardness. Never tried it without the sealer (provides a flexible layer between wood and lacquer). Favorite is "satin" which is glossy, but not plastic shiny, "Matte" is very flat.
Also impressed that I can spray it at 50F without issues, just different amounts of thinner depending on temp. Does have a strong odor but that dissipates over a week.
