I am in complete agreement with Colin. That said, and without accusing anyone of anything, I do think that this is a point well taken:
...or if you do talk outside your experience, to make sure that is clear, and then cite your sources.Please do not talk outside your own experience
One of the things that builders, and builder's forums, often do is challenge orthodoxy. That is in a grand tradition. Many of our color choices have been influenced by Leo Fender's experimenting on wood with auto paint. He kept experimenting throughout his career. G&L, his last company, as a case in point, has never used NC finishes.
There is good reason to experiment, and particularly with finishes, me thinks. Since lots of classic instruments use NC, it's not a surprise that some of us want to use it too. That said, there are excellent reasons not to use it. It's toxic and dangerous (the earliest use of NC was as an explosive). It also yellows and crazes over time. I have a '68 Fender finished in NC lacquer that is crazed like, well, crazy. I have a '75 Fender finished with poly with lots of bumps and dents, but no crazing at all. The '75 has lived in Washington State, California and Florida--a very wide range of climates.
I personally welcome ALL experiments, and hope that people will post their results, whether they are good or bad. It is just as helpful to see how things have gone bad as to see how they have gone well--if not more so. It is also great to get people's thinking.
When someone comes up with a way to do a finish that is fast, easy, beautiful, cheap, clean, non-toxic, durable, idiot-proof and requires no special equipment, maybe I'll feel differently. Until then, though, please keep experimenting and posting your results!
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