When spraying lacquer

[Tom S]

The first coat (actually multipal layers left to dry) layed flat and took minimal sanding with 600. The second coat went on much rougher and took more sanding to get flat. I know that you can't get lacquer to flow out like urathane, but I know it can be put on flater than my last coat was. Now I am going to put in the last coat and don't know what was differant between the two. Do you increase or decrease air preasure, and do you thin more or less to get it to lay flat.

Tom

[Len]

Usually you'll want to use the spray gun at the recommended air pressure. Each different model gun will be engineered to be used at a certain pressure and you shouldn't vary too far from that recommendation.

Lacquer can be applied more smoothly if you do one of several things....
1. Use more thinner in the mix.
2. Use a slower thinner.
3. Spray using a slower motion of the gun.
4. Spray holding the gun closer to the surface.

[Tom S]

Thanks Len. I think I was not as close to the surface the second time.

[Phil V]

more thinner

[Tom S]

Thanks! Thinner and applied slower with more overlap and it looks like it will buff up nicely.

Tom

[Len]

Lacquer tends to spray out a little rougher/duller than enamel or urethane but can be sanded smooth and flat then polished like a mirror. If you sand and polish be sure that you don't allow the polisher to heat the surface or the lacquer will soften and move and (unlike urethane) this can cause problems that are difficult to fix. I hope you get good results and I hope we helped.

Have a great holiday.

[Henry]

While lac is easy to apply you need to use caution with the speed of the reducer you use. You can get a situation where the lac dries just before it hits the surface. Also, lac does not like to be applied in a damp or otherwise humid environment. Easy but can also be a little tricky. Henry