After the first failed attempt, I went into the second round with even more precision. I used a syringe for exact mixing, kept the room at a steady 21–22°C, and ensured no airflow or cold drafts. The lacquer: Tekron LRA 870. The label gave the mixing ratio: 100:2:2 (clear, catalyst, accelerator).
I thought I did everything right. The first coat went down nicely. But while prepping for the second coat, the mixture inside the gun cup turned to jelly before my eyes. Spray session over.
What went wrong?
The 100:2:2 mix is ultra-fast-reactive. The pot-life is maybe 5 minutes.
The clear must be sprayed immediately after mixing. No waiting. No batch mixing for multiple coats.
Despite the chaos with the second layer, I was able to successfully lay down the first coat. After 15 hours at a stable 21–22°C, the lacquer was dry to the touch and hard under the nail. That means the polyester reaction completed properly, and the layer is usable.
Lessons learned:
Even if everything seems right, polyester clear can still catch you off guard.
Fast systems must be divided into single-coat batches. Mix – spray – done.
Never leave polyester in the gun longer than 2–3 minutes.
When everything goes well — even one solid coat is a win.
This was a real breakthrough. Lacquering teaches patience, humility, and sharp observation. I’m logging this progress because each try gets me closer to the finish I dream of.