Spray Finishing [Paperback]

Andy Charron (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1996

This guide explains the process of spray finishing which gives a professional looking finish to woodwork. It explains how to choose and set up a spray finishing system, discusses materials for spraying and how to handle them, and includes coverage of water-based finishes and HVLP systems.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A professional-looking finish is the dream of most woodworkers. One way to achieve it is through modern spray finishing. Spray finishing is a lot less trouble than it used to be - recent technological breakthroughs have made a previously messy and expensive process safer, easier and cheaper. The development of water-based finishes and HVLP spray systems has put spray finishing within the grasp of any small-shop woodworker willing to learn the technique and make a modest investment in equipment. Andy Charron, a professional woodworker, has been experimenting with spray finishes for some years and has experience with a number of systems. He has put this expertise into a comprehensive volume that explains the entire process. Charron describes how each system works and how to choose the system that's right for the kind of work you do - from guns and spray booths to compressors, turbines, air lines, filters and safety equipment. You'll also learn how to work with lacquers, crosslinked finishes, shellac, polyurethane and water-based finishes; how to color, stain and tone the wood; how to spray contact cement; and how to clean your equipment when you're done. A troubleshooting chart at the end of the book will help you identify and solve problems at a glance.

Product Details

• Paperback: 116 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561581143
• ISBN-13: 978-1561581146
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #457,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 71, December 3, 2004

By 

FlashbangBob (Victoria, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spray Finishing (Paperback)

Have you ever wanted to finish your woodworking project with a professional spray job but didn't know how to?

At last there is a thorough guide to spray finishing equipment, techniques and materials, written for amateur woodworkers as well as the small and medium sized professional workshops.

Spray Finishing was written by Andy Charron, a professional woodworker who started researching spray systems out of sheer ignorance and a pressing need to speed up his finishing time.

The first chapter of the book explains why spray finishes are considered to be forgiving in that they require less surface preparation, are faster to apply, and are generally more versatile. Any finish that can be brushed or wiped on, can be sprayed, but not all finishes that can be sprayed can be applied with a brush or cloth.

The consistency possible with spray finishes is cited as another major benefit. There is much greater control over the thickness and rate of application.

Chapter Two, 'Choosing a System', outlines the pros and cons of the alternatives for the three essential components of a spray system - the gun, the cup which holds the finish, and the power system (turbine or compressor). The guide should prove invaluable to anyone considering the purchase of spray equipment.

To further explore the nature of spray systems and their various components, the book goes on to explain the difference between suction, gravity and pressure feed tips, external vs. internal mix, and bleeder vs. non-bleeder guns. It also compares compressed air, airless and HVLP systems for power.

Overall the analysis comes down in favour of HVLP for woodworking finishes because of the reduced overspray and bounceback from the workpiece surface, but the background information should enable readers to select the system most suited to them. A discussion of, various spray booth options explains the difference between dry and wet recovery systems as well as the importance of accessories such as filters, lighting and fan motors. The author identifies key issues in planning a dedicated spray room and details the proper maintainance of the system. Safety equipment is also covered.

The book then covers the setting up of a spray system, including the basics of thinning and other techniques such as filling the gun, setting adjustments and troubleshooting.

The second half of the book deals with the spray equipment in use. There are techniques for colouring timber, the variety of stains and pigments available and the methods used to apply them. A number of spray-on top coats such as lacquer, conversion finishes (ie. cross-linked finishes), shellac, water-based and oil-based varnishes are discussed. The specialty applications mentioned include shading and toning, and using spray gear to apply contact cement in lamination work. The final chapter deals with cleaning and maintenance of the equipment.

In addition to the informative reading Spray Finishing also contains troubleshooting anecdotes from the author's personal experience, diagrams showing system set-ups, charts with pipe diameters for varying length, power and volume of systems, recommended hose sizes and other practical details.

If you have ever considered the use of spray finishes, then Spray Finishing provides the no-nonsense information necessary to confidently shop for a new system, expand on an existing set-up and use spray gear for that finish you always wanted.

Photos: Black & White

Contents

Introduction

To Spray or Not to Spray

Advantages of spray finishing

Other considerations

Choosing a System

Conventional spray guns

Air sources for conventional systems

HVLP systems

Air sources for HVLP systems

Setting Up a Spray System

Spray booths

Spray rooms

Open rooms

Air sources

Safety equipment

The Basics of Spray Finishing

Thinning the material

Filling the gun

Selecting the fluid tip and air cap

Adjusting the gun

Spraying: general techniques

Troubleshooting

Coloring the Wood

Dye stains

Pigmented stains

Gel stain

Paint

Pigmented lacquer

Working with Top Coats

Lacquer

Conversion finishes

Shellac

Water-based finishes

Oil-based varnishes

Specialty Applications

Shading and toning

Specialty painting

Using spray cans

Spraying contact cement

Cleaning Up

Which solvent works best?

Cleaning a spray gun

Cleaning a pressure-feed system

Gun lubrication

Troubleshooting

Spray schedules

Glossary

Index

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars easy as 1-2-3, November 13, 2000

By 

Max Freniere (St-Hyacinthe , Quebec, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spray Finishing (Paperback)

The book SPRAY FINISHING by Charron truly is THE revelation for anyone interrested in using a spray system. A well written, infos loaded book, that cover practicaly all aspects of this so feared finishing method. Andy Charron cover from preparation to sealercoats, to topcoats, using different sprayed materials( nitro,waterborne,ect...), special effects, even contact glue spraying. A section help you select the right system(HVLP or compressed air) for your needs, and how to set it up.Safety is of prime factor throught the entire book(a complete section on spraybooth and rooms). Extensive trouble shooting charts(with some trouble pictures for easy identification) and equipment cleaning routine. I am a young guitar maker in Quebec , Canada, and finishing is always one of the first thing a customer will watch on a new instrument. With this book, you will know everything to produce a exceptionnal quality spray finish. So, what are you waiting to pull the trigger.

Max Freniere Freniere Guitares eng.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Before you purchase., April 21, 2001

By 

jim lorrey (East Bridgewater, Ma.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spray Finishing (Paperback)

I am in the market for a HVLP sprayer. I have been reserching for over a month. I have been talking to manufacturers and some users. Then I bought this book and found the author started out as I did. In the dark about spray equipment. Thats what led to the writing of his book. This gives you all you need to know about several types of spray painting equipment and it zeros in on HVLP spayers. Thanks to this book I am now ready to purchase my spray unit. Don't pass it up!