Replies

1. 
   Kell | Feb 26, 2003 04:42pm | #1

   Steve,

   Although they don't recommend spraying it, I've used the Minwax water based acrylic finish in an HVLP gun with good results.  The manufacturer claimed that it would give me a "prickly" surface more so than brushing it on.  I found it to be smoother than with a brush.  I sprayed 3 coats on a bedroom set for a customer, who requested it, and he was thrilled with the look.  I did rub it out with 0000 steel wool and then give it a coat of paste wax for good measure.

    Bear in mind, you won't get the kind of depth that you would with, say, lacquer.  Although I haven't tried a multitude of coats to see how it comes out.  Maybe I will when I've got a large table project.

   Good luck!

   BK

1. 
   ABenker | Feb 26, 2003 05:23pm | #2

   Give Fuhr a try. Using blonde shellac first give a wet look and tinting the fuhr tends to give better appearances on woods like cherry. I did kitchen set for the first time using a HVLP with Fuhr and it looks great!

2. 
   steveworks | Feb 27, 2003 08:13am | #5

   Thanks

1. 
   jackstraw9 | Feb 27, 2003 03:11pm | #6

   Try going to the MOHAWK brand website. They carry water based laquers,poly, and I think a conversion varnish. Haven't tried using any but found the site very interesting. Good luck

2. 
   Tag | Feb 26, 2003 05:33pm | #3

   Check out http://www.homesteadfinishing.com 

   This is run by Jeff Jewitt.  They sell finishing products of all kinds, including lots of water based stuff,  and equipment, and have tons of valuable info on the site. 

   Brian

3. 
   Elcoholic | Feb 27, 2003 12:11am | #4

   I've used only one, Enduropoly.  I love it.  Ditto for their w/b stains.  I will be trying their w/b lacquer in the near future.  The guy that turned me on to it is a pro, is in SoCal (AQMD hell), doesn't have a booth and has tried dozens.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

4. 
   TomT226 | Feb 27, 2003 03:17pm | #7

   Target PSL (LAC2800) from Homestead Finishing (Jeff Jewitt). Easy to apply, fast build, and really tough and water resistant.

   $33.95 a gallon. CAn be tinted to look like nitro lacquer with TransTint amber dye, 5 drops per gallon.

   (216) 631-5309.

1. 
   Sancho | Feb 28, 2003 07:05pm | #8

   I used enduro and I love it, It sprays nice and with a good spray gun I dont even have to rub it out sometimes. But I also heard good things about Fuhr. I havent tried Fuhr because I would have to order it on the internet or by phone. I just perfer to deal with a local company. But Ive heard great things about fuhr's customer service. Also the folks that se it are happy with the results theyre getting I dont think you could go wrong with either one. 

   Darkworks:  We fight for Peace

5. 
   HowardAcheson | Feb 28, 2003 07:12pm | #9

   Steve, keep in mind that waterborne finishes still contain chemicals and solvents that can be harmful. If you have health concerns, you should still be wearing a respirator suitable for protecting you from those substances. The water is just a carrier basicly in "waterborne" finishes.

6. 
   Paul_Snyder | Mar 01, 2003 01:09am | #10

   Steve - I've tried a number of waterborn finishes, and of those, I like the Premium Spray Lacquer (PSL) from Target Coatings ( http://www.targetcoatings.com ). One unique property it has is that it performs like a lacquer - each coat has 100% burn-in with previous coats - regardless of age of cure. It also has outstanding clarity and rubs out very well. The PSL is popular with the folks that make wood musical instruments because of its durability, clarity, and polishing ability.

   The perfomance values of PSl overlap those of standard, solvent-based coatings commonly used for kitchen cabinet and case goods applications. The chemical and water ressistance ratings of PSL are the same as CAB lacquers and its hardness rating is on level with conversion varnish.

   Although marketed as a lacquer, the PSL can be used for a wide variety of finishing situations including cabinetry, high-end furniture, and moderate use tables (use one of the more durable finishes for high wear surfaces). When I need more durability, Target has a number of other products to choose from, like the super-clear polyurethane, waterborn conversion varnish, or waterborn Oxford varnish. They also have a sealer called "Ultra-Seal" that is a waterborn shellac. You can use the Ultra-Seal to get the "wet" look (bring out the wood's natural warmth and grain), then follow with a durable finish like the PSL.

   When you try new products, give the PSL a test run and see how you like it. Target has excellent tech service support if you need it and you can always post questions on their forum.

   Paul

   F'burg, VA

1. 
   steveworks | Mar 02, 2003 06:10am | #12

   THanks very much for the detail. Q: I'm still in the design stages but working backwards as far as the material. I'm either going with maple and maple veneer both stained to look like cherry or straight cherry and cherry veneer ply. How does the PSL handle stains? oil or water based.

   Thanks again

   Steve

1. 
   Paul_Snyder | Mar 02, 2003 07:32am | #13

   Hi Steve - PSL does very well over either type of stain. I've used it over both oil and water-base stains with no problem.

   With oil stains, you have to let the stain cure (odor and oil free) before using the waterborn finish. To speed things along, I add one ounce of japan drier to each quart of oil-base stain before use. This ensures the stain will dry overnight (I apply oil-base stains quite a bit more heavily than "recommended"). I actually like using an oil-base stain before the PSL as the stain will seal the wood and I don't mess with pre-raining the grain or sanding above 150 grit to avoid raised grain.

   Target has an oil-modified waterborn stain called "Queen Anne Cherry" that I've tested on pine and cherry. It's a very nice color and I'd like to try it on maple to see how it looks. If you've tried to color maple to look like cherry before, you know it can be a challenge to get good results. Here's what the QA Cherry stain looks like on pine -

   View Image

   You can also add dyes to the PSL and spray the colored finish over the first coat of sealer or PSL (after staining if you want). It adds a lot to the look of the finish and more color. I've been trying different finishes on cherry and have some pictures at this link - Cherry Finishes. You can do any of the toner finishes with PSL. Some of the instrument guys that have posted on the forums have done some beautiful finishes. A guy named Steve Tuttle recently posted this link to some guitars he made and finished with PSL - Guitars

   Paul

   F'burg, VA

1. 
   steveworks | Mar 03, 2003 04:26pm | #14

   THanks again. That was very helpful. When I get closer to finishing the project I might bug you for a recipe or two.

   SG

7. 
   Joe_Fusco | Mar 01, 2003 10:38pm | #11

   Steve

   I'd recommend Fuhr 355 as a great WB finish. The product sprays great, cleans up with warm water has GREAT scratch and chemical resistance and an even greater price, around $23.00 a gallon. I've done some testing and you can read about them here.

   View Image
   

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   Edited 3/1/2003 2:43:25 PM ET by Joe Fusco