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I was looking at a guitar that I am currently finishing- 2 more coats to go- and was thinking I may like to spray a burst on it. Would I have to strip the finish all the way off, spray the burst, and then respray? By the way, I am using EM6000. Any help would be much appreciated.

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
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If you plan on applying a burst and then finishing up with 2 last coats, then I say you're out of luck. You will quickly sand through your bust when leveling and buffing. I would want at least 12+ coats of EM6000 over a burst before I would think it might be safe to level and buff (this number heavily depends on your spray technique for each coat and how much leveling you will have to do). More coats would be preferable because you really don't want to try and fix a sand-through on a burst. But if you spray a burst now and then apply sufficient additional coatings on top of that, you will likely end up with a really thick finish. Depends on where you're at now, and where you ultimately what to be.

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Aaron Craig

So would it be possible to level back a bit, but not all the way to wood, and then spray the burst? My biggest concern is that the color won't adhere well to the lacquer. Is this a relevant thought?

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
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Chris, if you're talking about spraying a tinted lacquer 'burst, it will stick fine to clear undercoats. (some, including moi, typically spray a clear first coat, which seals & prevents colour from migrating under any masking.)
If you're talking about about a burst with alc. or water carrier (as you'd spray on bare wood), I wouldn't think you'd be successful over existing clearcoats.

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Dave
Milton, ON

You can mix your dye with lacquer thinner and a small amount of lacquer to spray your burst. The lacquer will act as a binder and the thinner will help the burst burn in to the existing finish without adding a lot of build as a tinted lacquer might do. Sanding back your existing finish should give a good base for the burst and keep you from having an overly thick finish. Mist the coats on as you don't want the lacquer thinner to dissolve the existing lacquer to the point that it will run.

I have done bursts with Trans-Tint Dyes and EM6000 with great success.
However, I have started with the burst over the shellac seal coat then the clear coats after.
I think you are on the right track as you said - to sand back almost to white, spray the burst , then get 12-15 coats over....

Rob