Spray Gun Categories January 07 2014

Conventional Spray Guns The traditional high-pressure guns are powered by compressed air (commonly 35 to 45 psi). These guns have been used for the last century. Turbine HVLP (high volume, low pressure) The technology was introduced in the 1950s, but it didn’t receive wide acceptance until the 1980s when tougher environmental laws made it make sense. Instead of compressed air, a Turbine HVLP uses a high volume of air supplied...

Finishing Spray Gun Equipment January 07 2014

A spray gun can turn a stain or top coat into a fine mist – a process called atomization which propels the mist onto a work surface. Compared to rags and brushes, spray guns transfer liquids faster and leave a more level surface. Air from a compressor or turbine enters the gun through the air inlet at the bottom of the handle. When you pull the trigger just a little,...

Advantages of Waterborne Finishes January 07 2014

Fast building The key to any finish is the resin, or solid, that dries to form the final film. The more solids a finish contains, the thicker the dry film will be. A typical waterborne finish derives 35-50% of its weight from solids, whereas most traditional lacquers have a solid content of 20-25% (or in some cases even lower). The higher solid count in waterborne products helps the finish build...

What Is Wiping Stain? January 07 2014

Wiping stain is very similar to gel stain as far as being a heavy-bodied stain that doesn’t need to penetrate into the wood in order to tone it to the desired shade. Wiping stain is more resistant to blotching than penetrating stain due to the fact that it doesn’t deeply penetrate the wood. Also, you can use wiping stain over previously finished wood to change the wood tone color without...

Alternatives to Solvent-Based Lacquers January 07 2014

Aqua Coat offers premium-quality, waterborne top coats for wood that are non-yellowing, clear acrylic, suitable for interior wood finishes. These waterborne top coats replace solvent-based lacquers. Aqua Coat top coats are ready to shoot and come in low sheen, rubbed effect, satin, gloss, and semi-gloss finishes. The Aqua-Thane Clear Top Coat is an acrylic/urethane blend for added scratch/mar resistance and protection against moisture. It can be used by itself or...

How to Apply Gel Stain January 07 2014

Gels are very easy to apply and give you good control over color and depth. ALWAYS TEST a small area or sample board before starting your project. Use a clean rag (T-shirt type material, old terry-cloth towel, cheese cloth, etc.). Gel stains can be applied much like a paste wax or shoe polish. To avoid lap marks, try applying gel to smaller sections, keeping a “wet edge”  between each section....

Advantages of Gel Stains January 07 2014

Our water-based stains come in almost every color imaginable. Some advantages to using gel stains: They won’t run on vertical surfaces such as chair legs No light or dark areas or blotches Easy to apply Good control over color and depth

How to Fill Wood Grain January 07 2014

"Open-grain" wood structures such as oak, mahogany, and ash are difficult to fill with clear finish. Aqua Coat Clear Grain Filler levels wood pores for a smoother finish. It can be applied with a small rubber squeegee, an old credit card, or a buffing pad. A popular method is to apply it much like paste wax with a circular motion, working it into the grain. Apply 1 to 2 coats...

Why Fill in Wood Grain? January 07 2014

If you prefer a glass-like finish, such as on a desk or tabletop, you have to fill in the open pores of wood with a filler. Oak, mahogany, and walnut are good examples of "open grain" wood, but a filled grain will give a very smooth finish. When the grain is unfilled it can have a semi-rough look. Filling is more a matter of preference for the look you want...