Replies

1. 
   bill_1010 | Jun 26, 2004 01:46am | #1

   id forego conventional poly and get a conversion varnish.   Conversion varnish is a far better choice due to its higher durability and faster cure times for a second coat. Plus the benefit of the less chance to yellow or age the finish over time.

   If you dont want a conversion varnish try ceramithane or any finish thats recommended by the Kitchen Cabinet makers association.  

   Regualr poly just wont hold up for kitchen cabinets.  Takes too long to cure to a durable finish thats going to see lots of wear like cabinets.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 6/26/2004 8:29 am ET by WmP

2. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 26, 2004 07:56am | #2

   I would say you need to rethink your finishing strategy. I am guessing that you have brushed a lot of polyurethane in your time, and now that you have a spray set-up you want to continue with a finish you probably know well.

   But I can't think of a worse finish to spray -- since it dries so slowly. There are a variety of other finishes that are specifically designed for spraying -- ones that are quick drying, and as tough or tougher than poly.

1. 
   SgianDubh | Jun 26, 2004 03:22pm | #3

   Slow drying is certainly a characteristic of oil based varnishes whether they be alkyd or polyurethane, nikkiwood. Brushing it or spraying it on makes no difference at all to that in my experience, and bugs and dust can spoil the result.

   I've been wiping, spraying and brushing these products for nearly thirty years now. Given the choice between spraying and brushing them, I'll often choose spraying for preference, especially if the job is being polished in the workshop where a spray booth and other proper facilities are available.

   There are some advantages of this technique over brushing. No brush marks for one, and a spray gun can be set up for a heavy or light coat, a narrow or wide fan.

   There are difficulties too. It's all too easy for the inexperienced spray polisher to apply too much especially to vertical surfaces resulting in sags, curtains, fat edges, runs, and so on-- the same faults exhibited if the stuff is brushed on carelessly really. But that's easily fixed too by washing it all off whilst still wet with mineral (white) spirits and starting again. I usually thin the stuff about 15% with a fast drying solvent like naptha when I spray it.

   Cleaning the gun is simple too. Wash through with white (mineral) spirits followed by a little lacquer thinner.

   Put it this way, spraying oil based varnishes is a perfectly acceptable means of applying it in my experience, but I do agree you need to know what you're doing, and there are certainly faster drying and tougher alternatives. Slainte.RJFurniture

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 26, 2004 10:39pm | #4

   I didn't mean to suggest that spraying poly wasn't an "acceptable" practice.

   It is just that if you are going to spray, why not use a finish that takes better advantage of using a spray set up to begin with? Obviously, if you use a lacquer, for instance, you can finish the whole project in a single session. Gezuar......

2. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Jun 26, 2004 10:58pm | #5

   Many companies now offer polyurethane which is water-borne and intended for HVLP spraying.   It cures dust-free in minutes, and hard enough to sand in 20-30 minutes.   For instance, check out finishs retailed by Homestead Finishing (http://www.homesteadfinishing.com) and Compliant Spray (http://www.compliantspraysystems.com). 

1. 
   Sancho | Jun 27, 2004 06:34am | #6

   Yep enduro from compliant is the way to go. Now fuhr supposed have a very good product also. I havent used it but I have heard good things about it. 

   Darkworksite4:

   El americano pasado hacia fuera ase la bandera