ColorTone Aerosol Guitar Lacquer

ColorTone Clear Aerosol Guitar Lacquers, Clear

Classic and NEW Modern formulas.
The easiest way to spray a professional finish!

Get a flawless nitrocellulose lacquer finish without bulky spray equipment. ColorTone clear lacquers are formulated especially for musical instruments—fast-drying, alcohol- and water-resistant, and designed to produce a hard, durable finish that enhances the natural beauty of wood.

Now available in two formulations: Classic and Modern. Now you can choose the perfect finish for your build—whether you're chasing an "old-school" vintage look or that ultra-clear, deep, wet gloss look on modern guitars.

Classic Clear 
The Original Formula

Old-school tone, feel, and forgiveness.
ColorTone Classic is our original nitrocellulose lacquer—trusted by thousands of builders for decades due to its easy application, vintage look, and unmatched repairability. It sprays thin, melts into previous coats, and delivers the warm, glowing finish found on guitars from the golden era.

Ideal for beginners and seasoned pros alike, this formula ages beautifully, developing natural checking and patina over time for that authentic vintage vibe. Available in Gloss and Satin.

Classic Clear Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer

• Slight amber tint for a traditional vintage look
• Melts into previous coats for a seamless finish
• Forgiving and beginner-friendly
• Buffs to a high-gloss, glassy shine
• Trusted by builders for decades

Classic Clear Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer

• Same vintage formula in a smooth, matte finish
• Built-in flattener creates an even satin sheen
• Requires fewer coats than gloss
• Great for necks or players who prefer low-gloss, "fast" finishes
• Final coat self-levels—do not sand or buff

Modern Clear
Next-Gen Nitro by Nitorlack

Water-clear, fast-curing, and built for long-term performance.
Our Modern Clear lacquers are formulated in partnership with Europe's most trusted guitar lacquer brand, Nitorlack. This advanced nitrocellulose finish sprays and behaves like traditional lacquer—but with some modern upgrades.

Modern Clear is water-white—without the slightly amber look of classic lacquer that won't yellow over time, so it preserves the true color of your wood or color coats. It also cures faster, gasses off less, and includes anti-crazing agents to prevent checking and cracking—keeping your finish flawless for decades. Available in Gloss and Satin.

Modern Clear Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer

• Water-clear—perfect over natural or light finishes
• No yellowing, even over time
• Faster cure time speeds up your build
• Includes anti-crazing agents to resist finish cracks
• Buffs to a brilliant showroom gloss for that modern "wet" look

Modern Clear Matte Nitrocellulose Lacquer

• Ultra-clear matte finish with no amber tint
• Self-leveling satin—no need to sand or buff
• Great for contemporary builds or clean, no-glare "fast" necks
• Same quick cure and crack resistance as the gloss version

Application tips

• Spray multiple thin coats for best results
• Warm the can before use by soaking in warm tap water
• Use ColorTone Sealer before lacquer coats to save time and get a smoother finish
• Allow to cure fully before sanding and buffing
• Do not sand or buff final coat of satin—it will self-level to an even sheen

How many cans do you need?

Estimates will vary depending on your technique, but here's a rough guide:

• Electric guitar neck: 2–3 cans
• Electric body: 1 can sealer, 3–4 cans lacquer
• Acoustic or archtop guitar: 1 can sealer, 4–6 cans lacquer
• Mandolin/dulcimer: 1 can sealer, 3–4 cans lacquer
• Banjo rim and neck: 1 can sealer, 3–4 cans lacquer
• Ukulele: 1 can sealer, 2–3 cans lacquer

Satin requires fewer coats than gloss.

Want help finishing your guitar?

Check out our full lineup of ColorTone finishing tools, sanding supplies, and polishing kits. And don't miss our video series on how to spray a professional finish at home—no booth, no compressor, just great results.