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This is the first time I have done a nitro finish in a few years and I forget how much fun the spraying is. I am using a Kobalt brand HVLP gun, the small model, and a 3/4HP 4 gallon Craftsman compressor. I was a bit concerned before beginning that the compressor would be too small but it is just enough to get the job done and I couldn't be more pleased with how it's performing. If I were doing multiple guitars all day 4 gallons would be too small, but for doing 2 guitars like I am doing now, it's just fine.

I am trying to get this job done in as efficient of a time frame as possible. I pore filled very well and the instruments are nice and flat. I did two wash coats of 50/50 lacquer/thinner on each and then did 4 or 5 coats of somewhere in the area of 80/20. I did this all in a timeframe of maybe 2.5 hours. I realize this is rushing things according the standards that I have read.

I plan to let them sit over night, level sand in the morning and then apply color and probably 4 or 5 additional coats of 90/10 - let sit over night, level sand again and then do some finishing coats before letting cure for a few days.

What consequences might my finish have from rushing this a bit? And have any of you had such great performance from a small pancake compressor for HVLP spraying? If I could do it again I'd get a 6 gallon rather than a 4 gallon, which I think would be perfect for my needs.