I make my own Head Cement out of Vyna-Bond and Naptha (lighter fluid).
Buddy…went by Ace today…they had a Deft product labeled “Clear Wood Finish” …it was waterbased and acrylic…guess that’s not the same stuff???
They also had small cans of shellac…what’s the difference between lacquer and shellac???
and they had no cans of lacquer…just spray…
I suppose Ace can vary from place to place.
Why are you fooling around with large can of anything from a hardware store when a lttle bottle of “Hard as Nails” nail polish will do a great job for years with brush included. Simple one coat. I use DEFT in my wood shop for quick drying finish,not on flys. Clear lacquer that some are suggesting might show the threads so get black. The Testors that one mentioned is enamel sold in model paints priced years ago for 15 cents now over $1.00. When I started tying the only thing we had was black thread – if we wanted a red or yellow head we had to use paint. BILL
Bill, I have used Sally’s…and still do…in fact currently have been using Sally’s “Super Shine”… but I’ve never been totally impressed with the gloss of either…folks seem to agree on the gloss of lacquer so I’d like to give it a shot.
I agree though about the large can thing…it’s like buying a vellux blanket to get some furry foam [I checked that out too:rolleyes::rolleyes:].
I really love the fact that we spend so much energy on the smallest aspect of our art/craft. Clearly the fish don’t care. But we do.
Hearing all the different points of view adds a perspective to the discussion that would be lost in a simple reply like, “Use head cement.”
Thank you all for the excellent assistance.
Rex
If you read the beginning of this post he said he did not use head cement and wanted to find how to get the gloss finish that some traditional and classic flies have. Head cement alone will not do this,that is why some use black lacquer.
Eric,
Just go down to your local paint store or perhaps a woodworking supply store , you will get all that you need. If you can purchase nitro cellulous if it is available.
Jim
FWIW,
Try using a large feather tip for applying laquer , just like the old quill pens. ut them with a razor or something sharp , sissors are not suggested but will work. A nice fairly long taper works pretty good. Awesome control for laquering heads.
Jim
OK, I will divulge one of my ‘secrects’. For those of you who want ‘real’ lacquer, I will tell you where I get mine.
As many of you know, I am a professional musician, and I have built a few guitars in the past. That involves the use of lacquer, for a finish. The best place in the world for guitar repair and building supplies is Stewart-MacDonald, known to most musicians as simply Stew-Mac. They carry clear nitrocellulose lacquer in 1 quart cans, water-based lacquer in 1 pint cans, and the liquid pigment required for making colored lacquers. You can get a pint, and split it in half and make one half black, and the other clear. Or you could get a quart, make up several bottles of black and clear, then what you don’t need, you could re-sell to other tyers on FAOL, or wherever.
Their website is http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Finishes_and_solvents/1/Spraying_Lacquer.html
Good luck, and happy tying.
Duckster,
Went by the ‘large’ Ace hardware (we have several) here yesterday.
They still have the Parks Lacquer, so I guess it just depends on the store.
I called the local Sherwin Williams store, and the guy who answered told me they carry gloss lacquer too.
Buddy
Home Depot carries Minwax Clear Brushing Lacquer in gloss and semi gloss. A 1 oz can is about $10.00 or so. I use and like it.
As someone already mentioned you can get colored lacquer paint from Jann’s Netcraft. I also use and like this lacquer.
Another good choice for a clear gloss finish over thread or enamel, acrylic, etc. paint, (not lacquer) is Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane. This is also available at Home Depot.
Later, Jim
For show flies - how about clear 5 minute epoxy?
Dub
I found this thread a very interesting insight lnto
fly tieing attitudes, or maybe just attitudes.
I do not tie in large quantities, the most was a
batch of thirty (30), for a swap.
I use the aforesaid Cellire, Sally Hansen and
various nail varnishes.
If I want a nice shiny head on a sea-trout or
salmon fly, this is my method -
1st - coat thread (silk) with thin Cellire,
allowing to soak in and dry.
2nd - coat with medium twice, drying between
coats, or one coat of thick.(Colours as required.)
3rd - A final coat of thin clear Cellire.
I too am using thined clear gloss laquer, A.K. Best clued me into it several years ago at a show, I am glad i finally listened to him!