What is pre-catalyzed lacquer?

[tom tangie]

The retail HW stores dont carry brush on lacquer any longer which I used for years to spray on. The paint stores carry many different lacquers in gallons, but what is pre-catalyzed lacquer. Will I peform much like the brush on lacquer I am used to using?
thanks

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/Materials/MaterialsAllAbout.aspx?id=2948

From the article:
If you want to buy a catalyzed lacquer, you will be faced with the choice between either the pre- or the post-catalyzed version. Both of them have a limited pot life, based on when the catalyst is added. The manufacturers of pre-catalyzed lacquer add the catalyst either at the factory, or in the store at the point of purchase. If you buy a post-catalyzed lacquer, you will have to purchase the catalyst separately, in another container, and do the mixing yourself. When mixing your own, there isn’t a lot of leeway for getting the proportions right; you have to be precise to end up with a finish that will cure properly.

[tom tangie]

Looks like Deft Brushing Lacquer cant be sold in Southern California.

[Steve Clardy]

Is Watco brushing lacquer available there?

[Robin Cruz]

no brushing lacquer at all in the hardware stores. The paint store has gallons of lacquer though. . hardware stores have plenty of lacquer thinner butno lacquer.

[Jim Becker]

Be aware that pre-cat lacquer is a product that you need to have the right environment and personal safety gear to use safely.

[jeremy levine]

Maybe you could find this
http://www.deftfinishes.com/trade/OurProducts/details.cfm?ProductID=14

[tom tangie]

they got plenty of that......its water based.....no thanks

[Jim Becker]

Tom, water borne finishes are not what they were even a few years ago...those from the top brands are really great finishes and don't carry the risks that solvent based products do. And I'm not talking about the typical retail brands; rather, products from Target Coatings, Fuhr International, General Finishes, etc.

[Joe Chritz]

What Jim said.

Water base finishes have very little negatives if any at all. When I first started spraying I used Valspar Pre-cat and it is very good stuff. Now I use Target USL and it sprays as easy and is just as durable, maybe more. There is about a 5-6 minute longer flash time but that is the only "negative".

I assume the brushing versions are very similar in quality.

Joe

[tom tangie]

what is flash time? Target does not seem to list any retailers. Is it only direct order?

[Jim Becker]

Target does not seem to list any retailers. Is it only direct order?

You can order direct or from Homesteadfinishing.com (Jeff Jewitt)