Minimum requirements for spray finish

[olbassy]

Gday.............have a gander at my spray finish and attached notes!.......final job (I have been told and can see and feel)........is perfect...........permanent........bullet proof..........and materials prices and equipment reasonable.
Also have a mate here doing beautiful swamp gum bandsaw boxes.....also beautifully finished semi matt.......using simple aerosol cans using same product!

[ian]

Well I was planning to purchase some nitrocellulose lacquer (Wattyl Stylwood) but now I'm wondering whether I should be using an acrylic. I saw some 3M clear acrylic lacquer in Supercheap Auto today. Which would be the better choice for me ?

thanks for all the other tips
cheers
Arron

Arron, the best choice for you?
I'm beginning to wonder if it might not be spray cans or a water based finish.

the cost of setting up to spray small objects safely with a petoleum solvent based finish (knock-down spray booth, water and oil filters, regulator, exhaust fan, PPE, etc) is possibly equivalent to buying 100 spray cans -- setting up for a water based finish should be considerably less expensive

if you're mainly making boxes, maybe shellac and/or a wiping varnish is your best option

Perhaps send the occasional large item, like a table top to a commercial finisher?


That said, the best finishing results seem to come from choosing one or at most two products/process and stick with them. Practice will make you very good at whichever finish you go with.

[Arron]

I think learning to spray properly is an idea worth pursuing regardless.

If setup is a little cheaper and easier for acrylic lacquer then Ill head that way. Last question - can anyone recommend a good water based clear lacquer ?

Arron

[Arron]

The clear acrylic lacquer you saw at SCA is probably for "clear over base" automotive work, ie for use on metal.

As you are spraying wood this may not be flexible enough for your application, wood has a lot more movement than metal.

To make sure, read the lable of the clear acrylic and see whether it is recommended for use on wood.

This is the product here 3M Acrylic Paint - Clear, 4Lt - Supercheap Auto Australia.
It says that its suitable for most surfaces - which still leaves me wondering about wood. anyone familiar with it?

arron

[ian]

I think learning to spray properly is an idea worth pursuing regardless.

admirable sediment

don't forget to post back with photos.

sorry I can't help with a suitable water based sprayable acrylic