Airbrushes, lacquer, and the lathe.

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redfishsc

redfishsc

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I'm looking for some good info on using an airbrush to apply lacquer (in my case a high-performance catalyzed lacquer that can hang with CA finish in the durability department). I know they need to be thinned.

What speed do you run the lathe when airbrushing? How many coats? How much do you thin?

The catalyzed stuff is industrial grade and not easy to find, but it requires NO sanding sealer (sands easier than CA anyway).

I recently got the HF $10 airbrush kit, so hopefully soon (by the weekend) I'll have some pens done with it.

Matt
 
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I have sprayed a few pens but I havent used m airbrush I have used my touch up gun and I mounted them on a threaded rod actually. I do suggest though that you practice a lot first with the airbrush especially if its a dual action brush they arent the easiest to use at first.
 
I use threaded rod poked through the sides of a cardboard box for my "spray box", and do the spraying outside. Saves the shop, lathe and me from overspray and fumes.

Cheers,
Draken
 
Originally posted by Draken
<br />I use threaded rod poked through the sides of a cardboard box for my "spray box", and do the spraying outside. Saves the shop, lathe and me from overspray and fumes.

Cheers,
Draken
Click to expand...

I agree with Draken...do it outside if possible.

I brush mine but its a hassle especially when a hair gets dislodged from the brush and stays in the finish.
 
I've stayed away from this thread because it doesn't apply to how I apply lacquer. However, I do have two airbrushes... I just hate the thought of cleaning them after each coat of one pen, ad nauseum. Hence, why dipping appealed to me. Anyway, If I WERE to use an airbrush for applying lacquer to a pen, I wouldn't spray it on the lathe. I'd probably set up a rack similar to the one I use for dipping, secure them to 1/4" allthread, then spray them and set them in the rack until they were ready for the next coat. It doesn't matter how careful you are, you're going to get overspray. And I don't cherish the thought of cleaning that up either. So call me lazy.[}:)]
 
Originally posted by OSCAR15
<br />I have had good results putting on laquer with a paper towel on spinning lathe. Dries almost instantly..
Click to expand...

I tried that once, Dave, but it didn't work well for me. I'm glad you've had success with it. I just made a mess. Have I told you that I don't like having to clean up messes (or much of anything, for that matter)?[;)][:o)]
 
Lee, for the moment I have access to a quart-cup HVLP sprayer, but when I move I may not.

As far as applying lacquer via paper towel, here's how I do it (note that this is not my preferred finish method, I'm not crazy about the final finished apppearance and rings in the finish can be a problem).

1) Finish sand the blank. Burn in some BLO if wanted for color.

2) Thin lacquer around 50/50 with lacquer thinner. If it's really hot you can add a touch of lacquer retarder (only a TOUCH as this stuff dries VERY slowly).

3) Wipe on light but wet coats. Let each dry. Wipe on another. Then another. You will get the hang of it quickly.


I used this method when first turning pens (fortunately I avoided the dreaded friction-polish that Woodcraft seems to think is the end-all-be-all of pen finishes). I have a few nice slimlines that look good and a few that have finish rings in them. I switched to a CA finish, which I only like a tad bit more but feels so plasticky.

I'm still trying to find the finish I like.
 
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