1 Quart Nitrocellulose Lacquer

Nitrocellulose lacquer is created when cellulose nitrite is dissolved into a mixture of solvents such as acetone, naphtha, toluene, and xylene. When the lacquer is sprayed, the solvents begin to off-gas and dry. As the solvents leave the freshly applied finish, a layer of nitrocellulose is created. Subsequent nitrocellulose finish coats will build the thickness of the finish, resulting in a beautiful final product!

Nitro lacquer quickly became the finish of choice for many after it was introduced in the 1920s. It was heralded as a paint that could be accurately applied with a spray gun, off-gassed relatively fast compared to other contemporary finishes, and it dried extremely hard – which meant that it could be buffed to a high gloss.

Another beneficial trait of nitrocellulose lacquer was the ability to accept pigments and dyes, allowing users to offer pieces in a wide array of fun, lively, and stylish colors.

Over the last few decades, many craftsmen have maintained their fondness for the qualities that nitrocellulose exhibits. The finish has a much better ability to let the piece resonate since it dries thin and very hard. Repairs are relatively simple since new applications will burn (melt) into existing lacquer. Nitrocellulose lacquer also ages differently than other types of lacquer. Time and exposure create a patina which can be quite beautiful. Exposure to UV light will cause the lacquer to subtly amber over time, edges will soften, and as trace amounts of solvents continue to evaporate, the finish slowly sinks into the grain pattern of the wood.