Hi to you all from downunder,
I have just retired and am about to return to my hobby of woodworking which has been an off and on thing over the years due to all of the usual time/$$ constraints.
Having read a number of the responses to the various discussions I’m hoping someone may be able to assist.
My questions are :-
1. Is it possible to successfully spray a water based paint or stain using a compressor and spraygun [Hi, Low, HVLP]?
2. Will the finish be as fine as compared to spraying enamel paint?
Many thanks in anticipation,
Bob
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Replies
Yes - I have gotten a great finish on furniture with latex paint and my air sprayer. The link to the sprayer here in the States is http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/jsearch/product.jsp?pn=169691. The finsh ended up being as smooth as glass.
The technique
I have done three cabniet projects this way and the results have been nice.
Good luck.
Edited 10/30/2005 12:21 am ET by TTF
Thanks for the info - I had a look at the spraygun site suggested and it appears to be what we call a low pressure gun ie the base is convex. Any ideas on how much extra thinning is required to obtain the finish? As to the type of paint we have here - the one I'm particularly interested in using is DULUX Aqua Enamel - has the properties of enamel but is water based, if used on a benchtop nothing sticks to it, the colour does not yellow with time if using white eg doors and trims.I have brushed and rolled it before but prefer the finish of spray. Whenever I asked about spraying here [I live in a fairly small town] the general reaction was that "no it can't be done - the nozzle will clog up in seconds"
Regards,
Bob
I have not had to thin the latex paint at all. I initially thinned it by 1/3 with water, and it did not make much of a difference.
The gun comes with two spray tips, one for internal mixing and the other for external mixing - which is the one I use. It pushes the paint out of the nozzle, then air from the side "horns", atomizes it and creates a spray. The internal will clog in about 5 seconds. I ahve used the external nozzel for up to an hour witout having to clean it out.
Once again thanks for the help, I'm getting answers I can't seem to get from our "experts" here and I'll now be able to make a decision as to how I go. I have used oil based before but have found that over time the whites yellow off and if used externally it doesn't seem to have the flexibility of water based and will crack at first and then flake off - eg I have some lattice on the back porch which is used as a screen between areas. At some stage also I am going to have to repaint the back fence which is some 400 palings long - originally done with a brush and water based paint some 11 years ago. I live approx 180miles north of Brisbane in Queensland Australia so the paints need to be pretty good to survive. My compressor, by the way, has a 10 cubic foot tank which has always been sufficient for oil based enamels and lacquers so I am assuming that it should also be good enough to do the job using water based.
Once again thanks, I'm impressed with the free giving of advice and have appreciated reading some of the other forums - how nice to see that there is a total lack of negative attitude and a genuine desire to help others. Hopefully I will be able to contribute in the future.
Regards,
Bob
Bob,
What town? Nice part of the world aside from the ticks and mosquitos.
DAve
Maryborough - often referred to a the heritage city - it was a port of entry in the 1860's after gold had been discovered in Gympie which is about 60 miles south - we are about 30 miles from the coast at Hervey Bay which of course has Fraser Island between it and the Pacific. Wildlife you mentioned not really a problem and more than made up for by the birdlife and koalas we have in the backyard - we are on an acre and surrounded by similar lots.
Bob
Bob,
My mother in law and her partner are part of of your local arts crowd - located just south of Gympie - so we get up every couple of years. Where do you sell your wares? Montville, Eumundi, or further south?
But, this is an old soldier here and I have spent lots of time up there in the bush. I know about the wildlife. Still love the place.
Dave
Dave,
Don't sell but make bits for family - mainly son at the moment as he bought a house a few years ago and you can guess what follows....
Visit Montville and Eumundi occasionally. Maryborough also has markets every Thursday - some junk but some good stuff. Google Maryborough Queensland and you will get the idea
Bob
Bob,
The short answer is: yes. Of course they behave somewhat differently than the old enamels, and as I'm sure you already know... spray technique plays a big role in the quality of the finish. But, I think you'll like some of the new water-based and water-borne paints.
I'm less of a fan of water-based stains. But, that's mostly because water raises the grain and I just don't like the hassle of having to pre-raise the grain.
As for paints... you'll find that some of the newest water-borne paints are superior in some ways to the old enamels. A very fine finish is certainly achievable with most of them. And of course they dry significantly faster, which is a huge plus.
Latex is one way to go. Although you'll find that the latex enamels don't spray nearly as easily as the regular latex paints. There are many other offerings too. Oxford has a line of lacquers and poly's that have quite a reputation. Homestead Finishing (plug it into a search engine because I don't remember the URL) is a really good resource for the water-borne paints, clears and stains.
There are many other companies that have jumped into the water-borne paint market. Do a little leg work with a search engine and I'm sure you'll find many of them.
The problem with spraying waterborne finishes is that they cannot be thinned as much as oil based finishes. Once you exceed a certain small amount of added water the integrity of the film may be put at jeopary. Thats not to say that with the right spray equipment you may manage an acceptable finish.
I still don't believe that waterborne enamel will have nearly the same durabilty and functional characteristics as a good oil based enamel.
I've got no experience shooting paint, but my reading suggests you consider:
Let us know your formula for success when you achieve it!
-robert
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