Anybody ever spray spar varnish?
I’ve got a new front door with sidelights to finish and install. Have had good luck brushing spar, but would like to speed the process, lots of nooks and crannies on this one.
I’ve got a pressure cup HVLP, can get some pretty viscous stuff through it, but don’t want to re-invent the wheel.
Any recs either for spraying spar or alternate material. Door is close to, if not absolutely north exposure, recessed into house so big overhang. Might never see direct sun, but don’t know for sure.
I’ll be finishing prior to install.
Thanks
Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.
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Got a viscosity cup? A #4 ford ( I think) is what ya need. Under 10 sec. for stream to drip is about right. I'd , as a rule of thumb, thin about 10% as a starting point.
I also add a cap ( about 2 tblsps) per qt. of Japan drier.
Wet coat, no holidays, when dry ( At least overnight if not longer) 220 to denib. Spray again. Full, heavy, wet.
Repeat. As often as you like after that. 3 coats min. for me.
Edit: it may be a Zahn cup, I can't recall and I mostly eyeball the vis. for my sprayer.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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Edited 9/21/2009 7:29 pm ET by Sphere
Thanks Sphere, I lack viscosity cup, Zahn or otherwise, heck I wouldn't know one if I saw it!
I do have thumb rule and seat-of-pants viscosity gauge which I'll use, just didn't want to get into uncharted water.
I've seen you mention Japan drier before which I'll do. Paint supply store?
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Yeah, paint store, I don't think I've seen it at a BBox. It lasts forever, I only use it w/ varn and long oil finishes.
I admit, I skip the cup mostly, I can eyeball the drips off the stir stick pretty accurately.
Oh, get thee some paper funnel strainers at the store too, it's not uncommon to have junk harden up in the can between uses. That or the basket strainer on the pick up tube of your gun if so equipped.
wet down the surrounding area to keep the dust down, and yeah, I'm a "pro" I spray MYSELF clothes and all witha dusting of finish before I start spraying the work, it keeps the dog and cat hairs from falling off me, onto my work (G)Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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Yeah, paint store, I don't think I've seen it at a BBox.
HD has it, at least in my area. Paint store works just as well, tho. : )
"I'm a "pro" I spray MYSELF clothes and all "What color?.
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Whats the phrase?
color me glad?Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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Yes, have sprayed spar many times...and used it for applications such as you describe. It has held up very well under those circumstances.
Downside to spraying spar - You'll create a nasty, sticky cloud in the air while you spray.....even with a 6 psi HVLP. Have ample ventilation (forced ventilation perferable for sure), make sure you wear a NIOSH respirator, cover at least your head, etc. It's worse than spraying polyurethane as regards the sticky cloud. Cover anything and everything nearby that you don't want overspray or drift on.
How did Flexner put it ? - Varnish is a joy to brush, a misery to spray. Something like that. Very true. Nonetheless, there are times when spraying is the way to go....or is virtually required.
Edited 9/22/2009 11:01 am ET by HootOwl