Can we spray a finish?

Monday, 02 November 2020

We often get the question, “Can you spray a finish?”. The answer is a simple, “yes!”  In fact, all of the Finitec finishes can be sprayed.  

The main thing to is to control the amount of air expelled from the gun. In order to properly spray, the ratio of air to product will have to be adjsuted depending on the type of finish. The pressure can be adjusted to adapt to the product's  viscosity. Waterborne finishes are typically less viscous than traditional lacquers, so it is best to reduce the pressure. 

Also, keep in mind, the bigger the nozzle, the more product will come out and quicker it will be. The size and shape of the nozzle will depend on the surface area the product is being applied to. The recommended nozzle sizes vary between 1.5 to 2mm. 

To ensure an optimal result, spray two to three coats on a bare or finished wood, then lightly sand with a 220-grit sandpaper before applying the last coat. 

It is also important to follow the guidelines of the recommended drying time between the coats. If not, bubbles, leaks, or other issues may occur. When using Finitec finishes, we recommend around 2 to 3 hours of drying between coats depending on the room conditions. For the lacquer, the waiting time between coats is only 30 minutes. 

All of this information then poses the question: If we can spray finishes, what is the difference between lacquers? 

A finish, is intended to be applied by spraying horizontally. If we do so on a vertical surface such as kitchen cabinets or wooden furniture, you may see some leaks. 

The lacquer contains an agent that makes the product adhere quickly to the substrate, thus allowing a vertical application. This particularity makes the lacquer perfect for panels, cabinets, doors, stairs, woodworkings and any other indoor wood component. 

Also, not all lacquers offer the same quality. For example, Finitec lacquer, on top of being water-based, offers a better build-up than other lacquers on the market. Opposite of other brands, it is available in four different sheens, gloss 90%, semi-gloss 55%, satin 25% and matte 5%. 

For the finish or the lacquer, you may spray them with an airless gun or use gravity depending on what you have available. It is also possible to make touch-ups on your woodworking pieces after installing them with these two Finitec products. 

You can spray our range of Finitec products without any need for dilution. However, if , for reasons of humidity or any othe reason, you need to dilute, we recommend diluting maximum of 5% with pure water.

If you need any more details on the process, please contact one of our experts at service@finitec-inc.com or at 888-838-4449. 

Wishing you great success on your project!