A question for those of you more knowledgeable about finishes than I.

What makes a finish sprayable vs brush only?

I am looking to up the finishing on my fretwork and while checking a local store (Ace) I noticed cans of finish next to rattle can of the exact same product, but the cans were labeled as brush only.  Is this reality or is this staying within the law of a certain State to conform to VOC rules.

 

Also, I did check General finishes (they list a sprayable finish) but their closest store is 86 miles (one way) and without wrangling over the phone I don't know if they carry anything in the store or is they have to order in.

May help you get more and better responses if you were to say what finish you are/want to use.

Sounds like lacquer maybe?  In any event, I am not your finishing go-to guy...

I'm the world's worst finisher but maybe @kmealy can jump in here and provide the definitive answer.

1 hour ago, Cal said:

May help you get more and better responses if you were to say what finish you are/want to use.

Sounds like lacquer maybe?  In any event, I am not your finishing go-to guy...

I would like a clear, water based, sprayable topcoat for use on fretwork.

I bought a half pint can of Minwax fast drying polyurethane, clear gloss. I like the look of it but the directions say to use a natural bristle or foam brush only. For fretwork this is a pain, and I can't hang the piece to dry or the finish runs, have to lay it flat. One of the issues is I want to be able to finish several pieces at once and not one at a time. Hanging pieces allows for many more pieces to be finished together in batches.

I have sprayed water based "Poly" straight out of the can but the gun I used wasn't the best. I would try water based and an airbrush. It might just work.

I've seen "oil modified" clear WB in spray cans on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Minwax-710360000-Oil-Modified-Polyurethane-Aerosol/dp/B004TSR2FU

How can water base paint be oil modified. Thats strange!

 

Do they sell rattle cans of lacquer where you live?

 

This is the only thing that works on intricate fret work for me!

1 hour ago, Smallpatch said:

How can water base paint be oil modified. Thats strange!

 

 

 

It seems strange to me as well, I've spent some time trying to find out what an "oil modified water borne finsh" is and pretty much got no where. I even contacted Bob Flexner asking about it. He said it's been around quite a while (since the 80s, I think) but doesn't get much press. Bu I still don't know exactly what makes it an "oil modified" finish. One I've used is GF Enduro-Var, it's actually not a bad finish.....just don't confuse it with GF's Enduro Clear Poly.

Water based oil-modified?!  No idea what sort of stuff this means.  Brought to you by the company that sells stain marked "Wood Finish" and "Tung Oil Finish" that is not tung oil, and is not even an oil.  So who knows? https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjNsMem1eP0AhWEVc0KHYkADYEQFnoECAsQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.minwax.com%2Fdocument%2FSDS%2Fen%2FUS%2F027426710344&usg=AOvVaw3KlwbKRFA1UxHjPTKHq6dY

 

To me, a spray-on finish needs to have the right viscosity and should be fast-drying so the atomized droplets don't just drift in the air, land on something (like your tools, floor, benches, etc.)  and dry/cure there.

Really "fretwork" that is rarely touched after finishing does not need the protection of polyurethane -- just about any finish will work.  Steve Mickley used to say "Polyoneverythane"  I agree it's way overused. 

Edited December 14, 20214 yr by kmealy

I mostly want this for the fretwork Christmas ornaments.  I used a sparkle paint on some BB ornaments, when I used the clear gloss it really made them pop. I intend to make quite a few for next Christmas season and want to get beyond the rattle can stage. 

I have a pop up spray canopy on order https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09CYWLQR4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1, spray inside, zip up the opening and viola no dust to contaminate the finish.  Get done and collapse the "tent" and store in minimal space. 

I think the brush on is just to satisfy the VOC cops. I spray Minwax brush on lacquer all the time and no problem. Other than the problems Keith mentions I see no reason not to spray any finish as long as it is thin enough to pass the nozzle.

@Steve Krumanaker uses Target Coatings EM6000 with amazing results.  Maybe he will ring in with more info.

Edited December 21, 20214 yr by HandyDan

Thanks for the comment Dan. I think the biggest determining factors as to whether a finish is designed to sprayed or brushed are drying time and viscosity. A spray finish has to dry fast enough and have enough body to "set" before it runs or sags. The faster a finish dries the heavier a coat can be applied. As Dan says, my go to finish, especially for smaller items like ornaments is Target Coatings EM6000 water borne production lacquer. It dries very quickly and I can apply a wet heavy coat with no problems.  I use two coats of spray can shellac for a sanding sealer, sand, and then top coat with 3-4 coats of EM6000. I normally allow about 20 minutes between coats and it is dry to the touch.

6 hours ago, Steve Krumanaker said:

my go to finish, especially for smaller items like ornaments is Target Coatings EM6000 water borne production lacquer.

Steve, where do you purchase this product?

On 12/18/2021 at 12:57 PM, Gerald said:

I think the brush on is just to satisfy the VOC cops. I spray Minwax brush on lacquer all the time and no problem. Other than the problems Keith mentions I see no reason not to spray any finish as long as it is thin enough to pass the nozzle.

YEP!

1 hour ago, lew said:

Steve, where do you purchase this product?

 

Lew, I get it from Target Coatings. They now have a New Jersey storefront but I usually just order online at https://www.targetcoatings.com Fair warning, it's not cheap but a gallon will last me a year or more and I've never had it go bad.

Target Coatings, Inc.

17-12 River Road Fair Lawn,

NJ 07410 USA

Thanks, storage lifespan was one of my concerns