Nitrocellulose lacquer and temperature

[Lou Ferrarini]

I need to shoot a table and I normally do it outdoors. The temperature today is supposed to be in the 50's with low humidity. Is this too cold to shoot lacquer?

[Howard Acheson]

Lacquer is an evaporative finish. In other words, as long as the thinners/solvent evaporate, the finish is as hard as it will get. Evaporation is not a function of temperature and, like shellac, NC lacquer will dry at almost any temperature.

[Lou Ferrarini]

Thanks. I shot the table and it came out fine. Dried VERY fast, even with sone retarder added.

[Tim Barlot]

I sprayed some NC Lacquer at that temp in the past and had some significant blushing. I anticipate that your success may have to do with the added retarder.
Since it is such a fast drying material, the rapid evaporation of the solvent causes a drop in temp of the spray, which in turn can create condensation to form within the spraying lacquer...trapping within the finish.

I'm glad yours turned out!