Replies

1. 
   DougF | Jun 03, 2006 06:20pm | #1

   I built the same crib 3-years ago.  Great plan.  I used cherry for the diamond insets and the top caps.  I used an HVLP and sprayed with water-based lacquer.   I made a another crib a year later from a different plan with even more slats and sprayed this one as well.  I think you will find that this application is perfect for the HVLP.  Bang together some narrow strips of wood on some cross pieces, hand them so you have 360 degrees spraying access and practice spraying to determine the best spray pattern, air and needle settings and then have at it.  I think you will find that it is not that hard providing you take it easy and don't try to lay down too much material in a single pass. 

   BTW, you do not need a finish room to spray with materials other than water-based finishes.  Water-based finishes also require a respirator when sprayed in a closed environment since they contain solvents as well.  There is misconception that water-based finishes are free from solvents: not so.  I finish large pieces in the garage and usually have the door up when using lacquer.  Dust is rarely a problem.  I always use a respirator/mask.  

   Good luck. 

1. 
   CJH | Jun 06, 2006 05:40pm | #2

   "BTW, you do not need a finish room to spray with materials other than water-based finishes."Sorry for the threadjack. I'm a beginner and not quite understanding the statment above. I'm not clear what type of finishes require a spray room and which do not. Thanks.

1. 
   DougF | Jun 06, 2006 08:07pm | #3

   Finish/Spray rooms serve several functions, primarily as a clean room to minimize dust settling on the surface of freshly painted surfaces and to provide a controlled evacuation of the solvent flash-off and over-spray.  A separate finish area prevents your work area from receiving the fall-out from the over-spray and substantially reduces the fumes from the solvents.

   Dedicated, dust-free finish areas are particularly important when use slower drying materials such as enamels and varnishes.  With fast drying material such as lacquers and shellacs, settling dust is not as much of a problem provide you take adequate preparations before you brush/spray.

   Simply draping clear plastic sheet from the ceiling can provide adequate containment when spraying.  A well-fitting respirator is a must.  Good OSHA approved respirators for spraying solvent-based materials are available for under $50, and well worth the price.   

    

1. 
   CJH | Jun 06, 2006 08:46pm | #4

   Thanks, but this seems to contradict what you wrote originally. In that original post you said that finishes OTHER than water-based DON'T require a finishing room. I read this to say that a solvent based finish does not require a booth.But in your reply to me you seem to suggest that one does need a spray booth for solvent-based.Was the comment I put in quotes a typo?Sorry to push the issue, I'm trying to keep this stuff straight.Thanks again.

1. 
   DougF | Jun 06, 2006 10:00pm | #5

   Sorry if I confused you.  The original post seemed to indicate a belief that if you are using water-based material then you don't need a finish room.  My point is that the fact that it is water-based does not alter the the fact that it is a solvent-based material and when any of these materials are sprayed or used without using proper precautions, they can be dangerous, not to mention deadly.  Most hobbyist and many small commercial shops get along well without a formal finish room although when spraying I suspect that most of us erect some type of barrier between the work and our tools/shop to catch the over-spray, dried solvent and block some of the ambient duct.  I would always opt for a clean room in which to finish my work, but ...............