Compressor settings and lacquer ratios question.

[Hookus]

What pressure settings, spray guns are folks using? Also, what ratio of thinner to lacquer?

I have been building furniture for quite some time, and typically use semi-gloss lacquer. Mostly because I can never get a mirror smooth finish. Currently, I still get some very fine orange peel texture, and cannot seem to get rid of it.

 

[joeyl]

What pressure settings, spray guns are folks using? Also, what ratio of thinner to lacquer?

I have been building furniture for quite some time, and typically use semi-gloss lacquer. Mostly because I can never get a mirror smooth finish. Currently, I still get some very fine orange peel texture, and cannot seem to get rid of it.

orange peel is almost inevitable, I remove it during the wet sanding process. I don't think furniture is wet-sanded right?

 

[Hookus]

Nope, and semi-gloss tends to work better for furniture anyway, as it does not as readily show wear.

This is for one of the basses I have built. Problem is, though I have a good deal of spray-finish experience, none of it is for a high-gloss finish.

Orange peel is indicative of too little air pressure? Or is it that the ratio need more thinner?

 

[T2W]

I build mainly furniture too, and lately Ive been shooting thicker coats, inevitably getting the peel, Id quickly block sand whole thing, and shoot a last, thinner and lighter coat. Instead of 5% reducer Ive been doing 8% for the last coat, very prone to run, hence the very light coat.

 

[joeyl]

Orange peel is indicative of too little air pressure? Or is it that the ratio need more thinner?

orange peel is usually caused (in my case) from shooting from too far. The lacquer dries before hitting the surface. So I come a little closer and usually use a little bit more thinner, the only problem like T2W mentioned is runs, so you have to find the balance between wet enough and running...

 

[praisegig]

I usually shoot with a 75/25 mix, using a HVLP gun set at 10 lbs at the handle and 50 lbs at the compressor for a med. wet coat. Orange peel is an usual thing with nitro, but using a 50/50 mix for the last coat helps level it out somewhat. JMHE.

 

[Hookus]

Thanks folks, I'll give some of that a shot.