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Short Summary
Main recommendation: Use an HVLP (high-volume, low-pressure) turbine system with a spray gun instead of aerosol cans for spraying lacquer, using a catalyzed high-build lacquer thinned roughly 25% with lacquer thinner. In this setup, the turbine supplies air and pressurizes the material pot, so a separate air compressor isn't needed for the gun, though some setups use a gun with a regular air compressor instead.
Key Points
- Use a sprayable lacquer; brushing lacquers labeled "do not use in a sprayer" will not work. Catalyzed high-build lacquer is used for a harder, thicker finish and has a shelf life, so note its use-by date.
- The Titan Capspray 105 is a lightweight four-stage turbine that is much easier to move than a 20-gallon compressor; it is used strictly for the sprayer.
- Thinning ratio is found by feel and varies by product; a product data sheet (PDS) often specifies the thinning ratio and is a good starting point.
- Stir the lacquer thoroughly before use, because the flattening agent sinks to the bottom, which affects sheen.
- Spray with 50% overlap, working the bottom pieces first and touch-critical surfaces last to avoid flashing or feathering.
Details Worth Noting
- Concrete instructions:
- Choose a sprayable lacquer and check the can or product data sheet for thinning guidance.
- Thin the lacquer about 25% with lacquer thinner as a starting point. In a quart pot, fill a pint can halfway with lacquer thinner, add it to the pot, then top off with lacquer.
- Stir well, checking the stir stick for the white milky flattening agent that creates the sheen; a dull or satin finish requires this to be stirred in.
- Adjust the air pressure dial (which controls air to the gun tip) and the material flow knob (which controls how far the trigger pulls back and how much material comes out). Watch the light ripple on the spray as a guide to how much material is flowing.
- Use thinner rather than thick material for clear lacquer, since more coats can be added up to a point.
- Spray the bottom first, touch-critical surfaces last, with 50% overlap, moving quickly and evenly; more coats can be added later.
- Lightly sand before the final coat.
- Cleaning: pour the mixed lacquer into a labeled container for reuse (noting the thinning ratio), add a little lacquer thinner to the pot, shake, then turn the air off at the tip and spray the remaining material into a bucket. Leave thinner in the pot so it stays clean and ready for next use.
- The demo piece, a shop cabinet, was lacquered in under 2 minutes, though multiple coats were planned.
- The speaker notes that a clear lacquer with heavy thinning gives a more even result, and that the spray system is far quieter and lighter than a compressor setup.
Bottom Line
A turbine HVLP setup with a properly thinned, well-stirred catalyzed lacquer gives a thicker, harder finish than aerosol cans, and cleaning with thinner keeps the system ready for the next project.
