Learning curve with Acrylic Laquer...

[tekno.mage]

Just been trying Chestnut Acrylic Gloss laquer (the spray-on variety) for the first time. I usually use melamine laquer to finish my boxes (either applied with a cloth and burnished on the lathe, or the spray-on version for items with coloured stains I don't want to bleed).

First attempt with the acrylic lacquer spray was ok-ish - until I touched it too soon and left a finger mark. Bother. Ok - cut it back with fine webrax and apply second coat. All ok now, left to dry for an hour and it was still looking good until I thought, I know, I'll burnish it with a bit of tissue on the lathe, like I do with melamine laquer... That was a bad idea. It stuck to the tissue and smeared in a very nasty way....

Oh well - live & learn - I'll wait until tomorrow, sand off the smeared laquer once it is properly cured, and start again. Should probably have used the burnishing cream (as Chestnut suggest), but the item has a pyrographed design on the lid and I was a bit concerned about burnishing cream residue being left in the deeply burned grooves (and how to remove it.)

Anyone have any good tips on use Acrylic laquer?

tekno.mage

 

[Terry Smart]

Hmm, tips over and above what's on the can...

Much of it will come with a little practise..

Spraying distance is important, too far and the droplets will dry before they hit the surface, causing a rough finish. Too close and it'll sag. If in doubt I suggest some light mist coats sprayed fairly close, which can be built up to a full coat finish.

The lacquer is touch-dry quite quickly, but this means 'dust-free' more than anything - that is, dust won't stick to it. Be careful when handling it for a while after it's dry. (Sorry for stating the obvious!)

For burnishing we do recommend the Burnishing Cream, this also acts as a lubricant. It's possible that the lacquer may have been dry on the surface but still wet underneath (something common if the coating is too thick, espeically in hot weather) so the tissue may have cut through the surface and stuck to the wet lacquer below.

I take the point about the pyrographed design; an alternative to using the Burnishing Cream would be to use our White NyWeb. This usually makes a good job of burnishing the surface and the make-up of the pad removes the need for lubrication.

Perseverance is really the best tip, along with a little experimentation. It is an easy product to use once you get the hang of it.

Please let me know if you need any other informaton.

 

[tekno.mage]

Thanks for the tips, Terry.

I hadn't thought of trying the white nyweb for burnishing, I'll give that a try. I think maybe my coating was perhaps a bit thick (it was a hot day!)

I also hadn't thought of spraying really light coats from a closer distance - I guess that would help on hot days too.

 

[Lightweeder]

I've actually had a similar experience in the last couple of days. Used the Acrylic spray over spirit stain (which I hadn't appreciated was water soluble and might come off on the hands ). I tried buffing once the piece was dry and had the same experience, of the fibres sticking to the work. Cut back and tried again, and now am getting good results just using a light touch and leaving till dry. It doesn't seem to need any further treatment, though I would prefer a less shiny finish. I must say, however, I'm just spraying drop spindles, so not sure how it would be with a larger area.

 

[Terry Smart]

I would prefer a less shiny finish.

The Acrylic Gloss Lacquer is a very bright finish and I feel it would be overpowering on a large area. I reckon small items can look good with a bright gloss finish, larger things can look a bit plasticky.

For a more subtle finish with the same protection the Acrylic Satin Lacquer would do the job.

 

[Bodrighy]

I have found that acrylic based finishes, though touch dry can remain soft for quite a while. May be that I am too heavy handed as well and have it too thick though I don't use spray but brush on finishes as a rule. I'd give any stain of finish made of acrylic a good few hours, ideally overnight, before trying to do anything to it.

Pete

 

[Lightweeder]

For a more subtle finish with the same protection the Acrylic Satin Lacquer would do the job.

I feel a purchase coming on 8)