Popular Woodworking 2001-12 № 125, страница 53

A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO

HVLP

Finishing

Nothing compares to a spray finish for your project.

But you need to learn to do it correctly, and choose the right tool. We'll do both, right here.

By adjusting the fan on the air cap (or air nozzle), you can spray a wide fan either vertically or horizontally, adjust the width of the fan, spray a thin line, or even do a morse code or a little graffiti. I'd recommend you set yourself up with a large piece of paper as soon as you get your gun and spend some time practicing.Try not only the different ways of adjusting the fan, but also overlapping the spray patterns and to get a feel for how fast or slow you need to move the gun to get an even coat without causing runs.

Over the years I've used almost every variety of finishing technique from brushes and rags to high-pressure spraying systems. Whatever the style of furniture, I still get the best results from a sprayed-on finish. It's fast, quick-drying, provides a durable surface and looks great. I've used high-pressure finishing systems, but I now prefer a high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) system. It wastes less finishing material, it's safer, more environmentally friendly, creates less overspray and generally is less expensive.

by Troy Sexton

Contributing editor Troy Sexton designs and builds custom furniture in Sunbury, Ohio.

76 Popular Woodworking December 2001