How long to cure?

[RustyFender]

I'm repainting MIM strat copy and have put on 5 coats of Duplicolor sandable primer, then 5 coats of Duplicolor laquer,then 10 coats of Duplicolor clear coat. How long should it take for all this to cure so I can start sanding and polishing and put it back together. It is in a room where the temp stays between 67-70 degrees F. Somebody said somewhere on a forum that if you can smell the fumes from the clear coat it is not ready. Is that true or just an oppinion?

 

[stratphobic]

is the paint lacquer or poly?

 

[squier-esquire]

Usually on the side of the can. Wait about 6 between the final prime and first paint coat. About 2-3 hours between coats and 12-24 hours to make sure its hardened before clear coating. About 4-6 hours between clear coats. This to make sure everything is dry all the way thru so as to not make the paint soft and dent.

Take your time the first time so you don't have to do it twice

 

[squier-esquire]

Temp plays a role, but humidity plays a bigger role...

 

[ghostwolf]

generally, give it thirty days minimum to cure out. at the end of the thirty days, press a fingernail into the finish someplace it won't be visible when the guitar is assembled. if the finish dents where you press, it isn't cured yet. yes, the smell test can be useful, but the fingernail test is more accurate.

 

[tabdog]

The way things sound.

I'm gonna say at least 3 weeks,

Tabdog

 

[RustyFender]

is the paint lacquer or poly?

.

It is lacquer and I followed the directions on the cans as far as time between applications,but wasn't sure on overall time to cure. I will definitely give it the fingernail test as it has been 3 wks today that I clearcoated it. I am anxious to see how it looks together with the black body,white pickguard,black pickups and switches and knobs with the maple neck.
Thanks everyone for the replies.

 

[stratphobic]

i assumed that duplicolor, being automotive paint, would be polyurethane.

 

[tabdog]

.

It is lacquer and I followed the directions on the cans as far as time between applications,but wasn't sure on overall time to cure. I will definitely give it the fingernail test as it has been 3 wks today that I clearcoated it. I am anxious to see how it looks together with the black body,white pickguard,black pickups and switches and knobs with the maple neck.
Thanks everyone for the replies.

Just be careful. I had one I thought
was cured. I put in a stand and the
stand made marks after it set for
24 hours,

Tabdog

 

[ghostwolf]

.

It is lacquer and I followed the directions on the cans as far as time between applications,but wasn't sure on overall time to cure. I will definitely give it the fingernail test as it has been 3 wks today that I clearcoated it. I am anxious to see how it looks together with the black body,white pickguard,black pickups and switches and knobs with the maple neck.
Thanks everyone for the replies.

after careful prep work, patience is the biggest (and hardest) part of finishing a guitar

 

[RustyFender]

after careful prep work, patience is the biggest (and hardest) part of finishing a guitar

Just gave it the thumbnail test and it is still too soft.

 

[justneal]

If you want to at least get a visiual picture, go use the guitar builder on the fender website

 

[RustyFender]

well I have finished putting it back together and done the setup and intonation and it sounds and looks good
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81675394@N03/7605998004/in/photostream Changed the white knobs and pickups to black.