I got a coupon from Harborfreight for their small detail spray gun. I had looked at them in the store and been thinking about picking one up and trying my hand at spraying brushing lacquer. FWIW it is difficult to impossible getting non-waterborne spraying lacquer these days. The coupon pushed me over the edge and I picked the spray gun up the other day. I picked up some thinner and tried it out yesterday. I was very happy with the results. I still need to play around with the settings, as well as the viscosity of the lacquer. Despite being an inexpensive tool, I found the pattern to be good, as well as control. It only takes 3 CFM to run, and doesn't throw out that much paint, but is well suited, IMO, for turnings.



Spalted maple with sprayed lacquer. Wet sanded when dry with 2000 grit W/D. I decided not to buff it for now.

I don't know how you can improve the finish on items you have been bringing to the meetings, but have fun trying.
gary

It's not so much about improving the results, although I definitely have room for improvement. It's more about cost and time. I've been wiping on the first coat or two, then using rattle can lacquer, sanding between coats. The rattle can lacquer is convenient, but expensive. The whole process is time consuming. I'm hoping I will like this better. I also want to try spraying shellac.

Thought I would post this in case anyone was looking for an inexpensive small spray gun.

Now that it is sprayed, have you taken it to the buffer yet? Just an idea.

I think I'll leave it satin. Most of my HFs are buffed after wet sanding to 1200 or 2000. I believe I'll try a few non glossy.

Just an update. I dropped by a paint store the other day to see if they had any post cat lacquer in stock. I was talking with the guy there and he told me that oil based lacquer would be phased out next year. He recommend trying their high build waterborne spraying lacquer. Their price for a gallon was little more than a quart of the brushing lacquer I've been using.

I went ahead and got a gallon and tried it. You still have to thin it with lacquer thinner. It doesn't dry as quickly as the oil based, and has a more neutral color. Bottom line is I prefer the oil based, but this stuff isn't bad. If the guy at the paint store was correct, I'll be forced to use this, or something like it after next year anyway. I guess I should get used to spraying this rather than go through the learning curve for either brushing or post cat lacquer and then have to switch in a year or so.

Here's a spalted gum pencil cup I sprayed with it. Wet sanded between coats and then wet sanded to 2000 without buffing.

Soooooo...... What your really trying to say here is stock up on the oil based.

I think it will all work out in the long run. There is always room for improvement, and with enough feed back they will eventually get it as close to oil as they can.