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I’ve had ongoing problems spraying large surfaces, such as bar tops and cabinet sides, with water-base and waterborne lacquer finishes. The finish turns out mottled with smooth and rough areas from over spray and spraying areas that dry before the second pass. I have tried reducers and retarders to slow the dry time and switched between HVLP and compressed air sprayers without consistent success. I’ve tried Hydrocoat, Amity, Super Lac, and SDA/ Craft Technologies and all have had the same problem. Is there a brand that works better on large areas or has a slower dry time that will allow me to complete an entire surface before drying?
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Replies
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Brian, I like the waterbase Varathane diamond finish
*Brian,If you are consistently having the same problems using different brands I believe you need to think about your "technique".Lacquer is probably the most sensitive finish where humidity and temperature are concerned. Most manufacturers provide only general mixing data on their labels. Usually they have more data available on their web sites.Mix only what you are going to use for the session, not the whole can, for starters. It is also imperative that the can lips and lids are completely clean for a good seal, that all hoses, nozzels, and reservoir are pristine as well. From your description it sounds more like incorrect mixing ratios for the humidity and temperature conditions. The key word that I focused on was "mottled". A contaminated, clogged, or improperly adjusted nozzle could also cause some of the problems.FWIW, I gave up on water based finishes years ago, with the exception of latex paint.:)Dano
*I agree with Dano that you probably need to look more at your spray set up and technique than you do the actual finish. If you are getting a mottled texture, that could be because you are putting the finish on too thick, or because you are not atomizing the finish properly. If you have overspray,or dry spray, then you are putting the finish on too thin, or have it atomizing too finely. You need to play around with your set up--ie what size fluid tip/needle and air cap gives best results, how far in, or out, do you have the fluid control knob set, etc. You also need to play around with your technique--ie how fast should you move the gun and how far away from the surface to get a smooth, even coat. The best thing to do is practice on scraps using a variety of gun settings until you find what works best. This also gives you a chance to work on your technique.Another thing to consider is what kind of air movement do you have where you are spraying? If you don't have good air flow, you may have a lot of overspray ending up on the piece, which would account for the rough areas. Finally, the brands you mentioned that you've tried have all tested relatively low in my research. You might want to switch to another finish. I've used Target Coatings, Cash Coatings and M. L. Campbell products, all with good success. You might find them a bit more user friendly.Good luck,Andy Charron
*Hey Andy I got your book I like it good job. Dano as always your the bomb
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