Can You Spray Lacquer With an Airless Sprayer?

Lacquer is not the usual kind of paint or liquid that you spray on objects. The density and everything of lacquer is different from other spray paint liquids. It takes a lot of pressure for a paint sprayer or an aerosol gun to properly spray lacquer.

Keeping that train of thought going on, here’s a question that is on almost everyone’s mind, can you spray lacquer with an airless sprayer? The answer is simple, yes you can but the process to reach that answer is a bit complicated.

In this article, I will show you a step by step way of how can you spray lacquer with an airless sprayer. So, stay tuned. After following the process you would surely know how to spray lacquer on cabinets

How to Spray Lacquer with Airless Sprayer?

There is a specific way of doing this. Before jumping the gun, let’s find out the prerequisites.

Choose Where to work

Choose whether to work indoors or outdoors. Working indoors gives you more control over the surroundings (which might impact the performance of your finish), but safety should always take precedence over results.

Lacquer is harmful to breath, so choose your choice based on the quantity of ventilation in your office. Only work inside if the air in your workstation is regularly supplied. Err on the side of precaution and go outdoors if in doubt.

Keep people away

Make your workspace safe and clean. Because lacquer and other substances used are very combustible, keep them away from open fires or heat sources. Inform family members or other mates to protect themselves and any dogs away from the place while you spray lacquer, as the mist produced by applying lacquer is hazardous to one’s health.

Work only in Proper Humidity and Temperature

Temperature and humidity may also degrade the performance of your coating, so only spray when the settings are ideal. Keep the number 65 in mind. When the temperature falls below 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) or the humidity increases above 65 percent, avoid spraying.

Now that we know the prerequisites, let’s start with the process-

Step 1

Select the appropriate wood. Lacquer does not work well for all woods, so be careful not to apply it on an inappropriate one. Stick to cherry, maple, mahogany, and walnut for the finest finishes.

Sand the wood. Sand every piece of wood that will be sprayed to remove any flaws. Start using P120-grit paper and work your way up to P150-grit. Then, wet the surface with a damp cloth to emphasize any residual flaws. Finish with P180 grit to smooth up the surface.

Step 2

Prevent accumulation in pre-cut regions. Cover any portions of furniture that have been pre-cut for joinery and subsequent installation . Spraying these keys and slots with spray might cause it to accumulate and clog the components that will ultimately fit into them.

Repeat for any rabbets where the front or border of the timber has been cut so another piece may line up with it. If your furnishings are already constructed, it’s usually preferable to disassemble it and spray it separately rather than spraying it whole.

Step 3

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the container or gun. Before using aerosol cans or paint sprayers, always read the directions thoroughly. These can differ across types and manufacturers, particularly with spray guns. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure safe and effective use.

Step 4

Maintain a constant spacing between the nozzle and the wood. Again, with spray guns, the distance between the tip of the gun and the wood may vary. Anticipate this to be between 8 and 12 inches. Maintain this gap from beginning to end to make sure that the lacquer is evenly distributed throughout the whole surface area.

Step 5

Begin spraying before you get to the wood. Start spraying a little bit over the edge of the board, straight over your dropcloth, rather than at the absolute edge. Then work your way around the edges and run the length of the board.

Similarly, before ceasing your spray, go right over the opposing edge. Spraying well beyond each end ensures a steady spray along the entire length of the board, including the extreme edges.

Step 6

Half of each row should be overlapped. If the wood is just too wide to be covered in a continuous spray from end – to – end, start by spraying over the narrowest edge. Then, when you apply a back row of spray below the first, try for half of it to cover the very first row of spraying. Apply an even quantity of spray throughout to prevent unsightly build-ups at the borders of each row.

Step 7

Maintain a light and uniform application of each coat. Thicker coatings may produce build-up and runs, so apply 3 to 4 light coats rather than one heavy one. Maintain a regular spraying pace without slowing down or accelerating. Don’t be concerned if the first coat seems blotchy despite your steady pace; the subsequent applications will rectify this.

Step 8

After each application, sand. Again, always follow the recommendations because drying durations differ amongst products, with some recommending a 20-minute delay between coats and others recommending two hours.

Then, using P320-grit paper, sand the wood down to smooth the finish. Wipe the dust off the wood with a tack cloth and wait for any particles in the atmosphere to settle before applying the next layer.

Step 9

Repeat. First, when you’re using a spray gun, read the cleaning instructions on the gun, since one might need you to clean it in between coats if you’re using a liquid lacquer. Additionally, a different thinner-to-lacquer ratio than the one used for the initial coat may be advised for subsequent applications.

Apply three more applications, sanding in between. Buff it using P400-grit sandpaper soaked with mineral spirits after your last coat, then finish with steel wool.

FAQ

Final Words

So, this is the step by step process of how you can spray lacquer using an airless sprayer or any other sprayer for that matter. The initial question that comes up to anyone’s mind is Can You Spray Lacquer With an Airless Sprayer or not? As I have said earlier, it can be done. The thing you need to know is how to pull it off. Follow the method mentioned above, you will be good.