My project has some bookshelves, to be made from MDF, and they will have fixed shelves. My plans are to spray-finish the units when partly assembled, that is, with sides and shelves together, but no backs or faceframes on yet. What can I expect, spraying in those corners?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
A standardized approach, quick-to-install hardware, and a simplified design make building custom casework cost-effective.
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
Just practice not over running the corners and lapping them . Act like your brushing with the gun . Cut the gun down where you are comfortable and enjoy.
Tim Mooney
I think you might expect some problems.........and I think you do too or you wouldn't have posted the question. :-)
If you're shooting HVLP, you should be just fine, but if you're using a conventional outfit.....the air turbulence in those inside corners will likely shun the paint/material resulting in little or at least less finish thickness. As already suggested, you'll notice some improvement if 1- you keep the air pressure as low as possible as this will reduce the turbulence and if 2- you keep your fan pattern in alignment with the corner as you shoot in that specific area rather than at right angles to it. (#2 is a biggie if you're going to attempt the spray job only) You might find yourself tempted to just hang around those areas long enough to load up the corners, but by then you'll probably have far too much material piling up nearby resulting in runs on the verticals and pooling on the horizontals. A better approach in these situations is usually to use a brush (maybe one shelf at a time) in the first couple of inches near the corners and then spray the rest as per normal. What material does land in those corner areas should be sufficient to alleviate any brush marks provided you're somewhat prompt about grabbing the gun. (If you're using latex paint, the addition of some Floetrol is very helpful in eliminating brush marks, too.......particularly if the temps are high)
I don't know what your spraying habits are but it's always best to reduce the output of material and move the gun slower than to attempt to make a race of moving it fast enough to avoid problems. All you need to do is hit "flow-out" on your final coat and you'll be pretty much assured of a nice end result. Much more than flow out and you're begging for runs and sags.