Post by Jim Brown on Apr 11, 2010 11:25:19 GMT -6
Not a question, exactly ... I guess just thinking out loud. I like learning about new (to me) products and processes, but it's a good general principle to avoid changing too many things at one time. I violated that principle yesterday when I tried two things I haven't tried before: spraying with an HVLP and water-based poly.
Another principle that's easy to forget is that doing something right once doesn't make you an expert. Don't underestimate the power of the fluke. I played around with my new Earlex Spray Station for a little while and got it spraying the way I wanted it, and the first coat of Zinsser water-based poly I applied to my project went on just fine, even though the project I was spraying was rather complex (a Morris chair I've been putting off finishing for nearly a year).
So I figured I had it down. But the second coat was a different story. This morning, after a light sanding with 400 grit paper, I went through pretty much the same spray process, but this time I wound up with a bit of a mess, with runs everywhere. I guess the first coat sealed things up pretty well, so now the subsequent coats will need to be much, much lighter. Live and learn! On the plus side, the stuff is thin enough to wipe, so I was able to grab a rag and touch things up reasonably well.
If I'd been a little more familiar with either the water-based poly or the sprayer, I think I would have been fine, but dealing with too many variables and not knowing what to expect put me in a bit of a jam. Starting with a Morris chair might not have been a great idea either! But when this 2nd coat dries, I'll scuff it a little and spray on a third coat, a light coat, and all will, I hope, be well.
Another principle that's easy to forget is that doing something right once doesn't make you an expert. Don't underestimate the power of the fluke. I played around with my new Earlex Spray Station for a little while and got it spraying the way I wanted it, and the first coat of Zinsser water-based poly I applied to my project went on just fine, even though the project I was spraying was rather complex (a Morris chair I've been putting off finishing for nearly a year).
So I figured I had it down. But the second coat was a different story. This morning, after a light sanding with 400 grit paper, I went through pretty much the same spray process, but this time I wound up with a bit of a mess, with runs everywhere. I guess the first coat sealed things up pretty well, so now the subsequent coats will need to be much, much lighter. Live and learn! On the plus side, the stuff is thin enough to wipe, so I was able to grab a rag and touch things up reasonably well.
If I'd been a little more familiar with either the water-based poly or the sprayer, I think I would have been fine, but dealing with too many variables and not knowing what to expect put me in a bit of a jam. Starting with a Morris chair might not have been a great idea either! But when this 2nd coat dries, I'll scuff it a little and spray on a third coat, a light coat, and all will, I hope, be well.
