Spray Finish Of Lathe Pieces

I have noticed a lot of turners on this forum.

My question to you is…have/do you use a sprayer, either an airbrush or say a small spray gun to deliver finishes to the piece while still spinning in the lathe?

I do spray finishes (water-based) to turned bowls and things, but do so off the lathe, like a piece of furniture.

What say you?

1 member likes this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Site AdminPermalink Reply by John Moody on April 20, 2011 at 2:48pm

Ace, I am like you, the spray finishes I use, I spray them off the lathe. Most of the finishes I do on the lathe are friction finish.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Greg Coleman on April 20, 2011 at 3:01pm

I have not used spray finish on the lathe. I do off the lathe and then return it for buffing and polishing. It seem to me that the overspray would get all over the ways and the air movement would blow your finish away from the piece. Also wouldn't the spinning of the piece "throw" the finish off before it could cure?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gary Heltemes on April 20, 2011 at 4:20pm

Hey Ace...........you have raised a question I have never given a thought. When I had my lathe, the finish was all friction applied. I hope others really chime in here on their favorites ways to apply finish........and even the finish preferences.

I am getting closer and closer to the purchase of a lathe.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joshua D. Rollins on April 20, 2011 at 6:38pm

I have sprayed and brushed on poly and shellac but it's like spraying or painting upside down. If you spray on too much it will start to "drip" into whichever direction it decides to go. Shellac spray works pretty well though since it dries so fast.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by dragon1 on April 20, 2011 at 7:32pm

Waterlox. You can wipe it on while still on the lathe.

Other finishes you might be able to use the slowest speed and not throw off the finish.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ace HoleInOne on April 21, 2011 at 8:17am

Just wondering...any of you guys use spray cans of Shellac or Lacquer and spray on the lathe???????

-Ace-

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Justin Hughes on April 27, 2011 at 3:08pm

If I'm not using a friction polish, I'll occassionally use a liquid acrylic finish (also known as superglue) given the...sticky...nature of it, I never apply to spinning lathe. However, I'll always buff it on the lathe.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Larry Jenkins on April 27, 2011 at 4:49pm

I have used a lacquer based Sanding Sealer in a spray can with good results. (Put paper towels behind the spray pattern.)After drying, and while still on the lathe spinning, a little polish on a Terry cloth rag pops the finish nicely.
Larry