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I'm going to be doing some drop filling and light finish repair on several instruments - 60's Gibson B-25 3/4, '69 D-35, late 60's D-28, and trying to decide which Nitro lacquer is most appropriate.

I will be doing some drop filling, and on the back of the D-35, I'll doing some airbrush work repairing some finish damage from a guitar stand that had a vinyl plastic pad touching the back of the body. (I'll do a post about that in a separate thread - buyer beware!)

Is Behlen or Seagrave your preferred nitro for repair/restoration work?

thank you for any suggestions
Daniel

I us neither actually, but for touch ups like you describe either should work equally well.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

So, Brian, what brand of nitrocellulose do you use?

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michael propsom
www.propsomguitars.com

I'm surprised that there are no key deciding factors between the two formulas - even Stew Mac tech's said they use either, but of course if pressed they go for the Seagrave, but no real articulation of why.

With a price difference of approximately 50%, and no real marketing behind either I have to believe there is at least some material/functional difference.

I'm partial to Behlen, but then again, I'm also biased. I'm good friends with the chief chemist at the company that makes it.

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Mike Fields

FWIW, I think Seagrave is the same lacquer as what used to be called McFadden's. it's the brand Benedetto recommends in his book. I've used both for touchups and drop fills, and they each perform equally well. I've not sprayed Behlen lacquer, but I suspect it would perform as well as the McFadden/Seagrave.

Not sure, but I believe Seagrave has more solids content than Mohawk/Behlen

Higher solids seems like the better choice for drop filling - think I'll go with the Seagrave.


Thank you all.

For drop fills, doesn't much matter...pour some in a cap and let it dry for a few days. Usually took 12-14 coats of Mohawk and 7-9 coats of Seagrave for me.