Table of Contents
How is nitrocellulose lacquer made?
Nitrocellulose lacquer is made by mixing fast-drying solvents with wood and cotton pulp containing cellulose that has been broken down by nitric and sulfuric acid. After the hard film cures, it rubs out well; and its slightly amber color enhances both light and dark woods with a warm, attractive patina.
What is nitrocellulose lacquer and its origin?
Nitrocellulose lacquer was first invented in 1921 by Edmund Flaherty while working for the DuPont Chemical Company. The rights to it were quickly bought by the Ford automotive company. When mixed with pigments, the nitrocellulose made an excellent quick-drying paint, speeding Ford’s car production immensely.
Is nitrocellulose lacquer solvent-based?
Nitrocellulose lacquers Solvent-based lacquers that contain nitrocellulose, a resin obtained from the nitration of cotton and other cellulosic materials, debuted in the 19th century along with nitrocellulose’s other commercial applications.
Is nitrocellulose lacquer explosive?
Collodion, a solution of nitrocellulose in ether and ethanol, is a flammable liquid. When dry, nitrocellulose is explosive and can be ignited with heat, spark, or friction.
Is nitrocellulose and lacquer the same thing?
Nitrocellulose was adopted quickly by the car industry and remained the finish of choice through to the late-1950s. Furniture and musical instrument manufacturers also switched to nitrocellulose lacquer, and mostly it was referred to simply as ‘lacquer’.
What is nitro lacquer?
Nitrocellulose lacquers have been around for almost a century; originally used for acoustic instruments, saxophones and even cars. Regarding its content, nitrocellulose lacquer is mostly solvent-based and comprised of plant-based substances like cotton, mixed nitric and sulfuric acids.
Is nitrocellulose lacquer water based?
Nitrocellulose lacquers are perfect solutions, which means the coating is completely soluble in the vehicle (or the solvents). Water-based wood finishes are at best dispersions, but mostly emulsions. With a water-based finish, the light reflects at a 60-degree angle and doesn’t reach the wood grain or stain.
How do you make nitrocellulose cotton?
Nitrocellulose Preparation Chill the acids below 0°C. In a fume hood, mix equal parts nitric and sulfuric acid in a beaker. Drop cotton balls into the acid. Allow the nitration reaction to proceed for about 15 minutes (Schönbein’s time was 2 minutes), then run cold tap water into the beaker to dilute the acid.
Why did fender stop using nitro?
Fender stopped using Nitrocellulose around 1968 switching to Nitro-over-poly in the 70s. by the early 80’s poly only was being used and would be used until the AVRIs started used Nitro over Poly again. then the HIghway one would use straight Nitro, only a different formula than those in the early 50s and 60s.
Is Rust Oleum lacquer nitrocellulose?
It is Nitrocellulose Lacquer. I’ve used it for finishing guitars as part of a complete nitro finish.
How do you identify nitrocellulose lacquer?
Find a hidden area like the control cavity and rub a small spot with a Q-Tip dipped in acetone. If the finish dissolves then it is nitrocellulose, if it doesn’t it’s likely a urethane, polyurethane, or polyester finish…..
What is cellulose lacquer?
Cellulose Lacquer can be of any sheen level from matte to gloss, and it can be further polished as required. It is solvent based and dries hard with a smooth surface. Please Note: Cellulose Paint and Cellulose Lacquers are not petrol resistant and are to be mixed 50:50 with a Cellulose Thinner.
Can you spray nitrocellulose over acrylic paint?
Acrylic latex paint is an acrylic finish, but it won’t soften when you spray lacquer on it. Nitrocellulose lacquer has a tendency to yellow with age, though, and it may dull the color of the paint.
Is pre catalyzed lacquer nitrocellulose?
Pre-cat lacquers are nothing more than nitro lacquer with an added acid catalyst that prevents the continuous evaporation of the nitrocellulose resin. This creates a harder, more resilient finish that is suitable for furniture and cabinetry.
How can I make nitric acid at home?
Dissolve 80 grams (2.8 oz) of nitrate salt in 50 millilitres (1.7 fl oz) of water. Start by portioning out your nitrate salt into a small glass mixing container. Then, pour in all of the water at once. Swirl the mixture around inside the container to help it dissolve faster.
Why is nitrocellulose used in nail polish?
Nitrocellulose, the main film-forming agent in varnishes, is used as a powdery to fibrous solid (depending on grade) soaked in alcohol (mainly isopropyl alcohol). Its role is to form a flexible, shiny film that adheres to the surface of the nail.
Is acrylic lacquer nitrocellulose?
Acrylic lacquers are not water base – they use the same solvent as nitro. They both blush if moisture gets in the film. They both react the same to specific solvents. Many “lacquers” sold today are assumed to be nitro unless the label says “acrylic”.
What is the difference between cellulose and nitrocellulose?
is that cellulose is (organic compound) a polysaccharide containing many glucose units in parallel chains while nitrocellulose is (organic compound) a cotton-like material, made from cellulose by the action of nitric and sulphuric acids, used in the manufacture of explosives, collodion etc.
What is nitrocellulose resin?
The Nitrocellulose Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of industrial nitrocellulose, a film forming resin which is widely used in the inks and coatings market. Nitrocellulose or cellulose nitrate is made by treating natural cellulose (diced wood pulp) or cotton linters with sulphuric and nitric acids.
Where is nitrocellulose lacquer used?
Nitrocellulose lacquer was used as a finish on guitars and saxophones for most of the twentieth century and is still used on some current applications. Manufactured by (among others) DuPont, the paint was also used on automobiles sharing the same color codes as many guitars including Fender and Gibson brands.
