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I'm seeing recommendations of as little as 7 days and as much as 6 weeks cure time before buffing lacquer. Have you guys noticed negative effects from buffing sooner - closer to the 1-2 week mark?

Buffing time for nitro might differ for various manufacturer's formulations, but the Sherwin Williams, and Stew-Mac stuff that I use need the 4-6 weeks at least.

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“ The meaning of life is to find your gift and the purpose of life is to give it away” Pablo Picasso

I like to aim for 2 weeks. But then, I bake mine.

We are Sherwin Williams and we wait 4 weeks at 72F and 45% RH.

Buffing too soon the lacquer is still too soft and you risk burning though and having to repair that and all that it entails.

Been doing this a while now and through a number of suppliers and 4 weeks has always been a safe bet. When I was building it used to kill me to wait that long but when I did the results were stellar and worth it. Good time to start the next build.

And I am speaking of nitro with my remarks.

A self proclaimed "professional finisher" on another forum says he can buff the next day but that StewMac's formulation contains naphtha and has to wait longer. I don't know but I always wait 3 or 4 weeks (what can it hurt) before buffing and I have never had a problem.

There is no one perfect time
I control my RH 45% and temp 83 degrees in my booth with air circulation and in 5 days I can level sand for final coats 2 weeks
I am using AZKO and Mowhawk
prefer AZKO
Sherwin Williams always took longer for me

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Ventilate. Conventional nitro lacquer cures strictly via solvent evaporation, so a box fan on a low speed will quicken the cure markedly.
Some lacquers will harden enough to buff after one day, but shrinkage will continue for several weeks. Depending on how flush the pore fill, this shrinkage can create a dimpled surface.
Most of my customers are vintage Martin fans, so a little shrinkage is accepted.

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

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John

Thanks for the replies. I'm using Stewmac lacquer. I'll wait the four weeks to be safe. I already started the next build so I have plenty to do.