Spraying Frustration

[browders]

I am needing advice here. One of my weakest points in woodworking is the finishing part. I generally use a spray finish of some type. My problem is that I buy cans of spray urethane or lacquer. I use them and at about the half-way point they clog up. I have tried soaking the spray nozzle in mineral spirits and as often as not they never work again. How do the rest of you apply your finishes. I know there's gotta be a better way.

 

Thanks,

Jim

[keefie]

Hi Jim, I use the same method as you with spray finishes - both urethane and lacquer. I keep a small jar with a screw lid nearby half filled with celulose thinners  (similar to your mineral spirits) and once I have finished spraying anything I take off the nozzle and leave it sitting in the jar till the next time I need to spray anything. I just remove the nozzle and dry it with a paper towel and fit it onto the can. So far I haven't had a clogged nozzle.  Just my method.

 

Keith.

[Rob Roy]

Hi Jim, I usually turn the can upside down and spray till it's clear and don't have any problems. If I'm using thicker stuff I do the  same, but with Keith's method too. Just my way with spray cans. Hope this helps Jim.

Rob Roy.

[Proxprof]

Hello Jim,

 

Like Rob Roy I turn the can upside down and spray till there only comes gas out of it.

The Nozzle is than clean and you can put the can away.

I've never had problems this way.

 

Once I seem to have forgotten it and the nozzle had clogged up.

I managed to clean the nozzle with a small needle and it worked fine after that.

 

Richard

[DonR]

I use Deft spray lacquer and Minwax spray polyurethane. I never clean the nozzles and I have never had a problem with them plugging. Maybe I'm just lucky?

Don R

[LarryEA]

I'm with DonR.  Only difference is I use Rust-oleum Lacquer.

I have never cleaned my Elmers Spray Adhesive either.

But Jim, that don't solve your problem...unless...unless

you use a less expensive brand...  NAH

So Jim follow Keith and Rob Roy (RR)'s advice.

 

Larry

[browders]

Thanks for the advice folks, it's kind of what I figured. I try to do all those things, and I've been successful with my spray adhesive. I just can't seem to make it work for the varnish and lacquer. I have an HVLP sprayer, but it's a lot of setup and take down for a small piece of wood. I was wondering if there was another pneumatic alternative that might work. As you might have figured out, I'm trying to not have to accept the fact that the problem is me. 

[wombatie]

If I get a nozzle that I feel may be starting to clog I just wipe it over with some eucalyptus oil and I am good to go. Plus I spray the can unside down when finished.

 

Marg

[Phantom Scroller]

I would get frustrated and throw it away and get another can.    Otherwise wipe the nozzle then turn it upside down and spray until clean as the rest say.

 

Roly

[amazingkevin]

could be the cold will be causing this for you,Mercury boils at room temperature and may be varnish freezes in cold weather?

[smitty0312]

I use Deft spray lacquer and Minwax spray polyurethane. I never clean the nozzles and I have never had a problem with them plugging. Maybe I'm just lucky?

Don R

 

X2

[WolfmoonCT]

I use Deft spray lacquer and Minwax spray polyurethane. I never clean the nozzles and I have never had a problem with them plugging. Maybe I'm just lucky?

Don R

I use the Minwax spray semi-gloss and I never clean the nozzles.. They just never seem to clog.  I've also used some Deft spray lacquer for a project, and we never had to clean that nozzle either.

[Fish]

I still do everything with small brushes. I can't do it in my garage it's to dusty dirty. I can't spray in the house.

[Jim Finn]

I use the rattle cans of clear finish from Rust-olium.  I think it is acrylic.  Never have a clog and it gives a nice, very fine, spray pattern.  One thing I always do in the winter is to soak the rattle can in hot water for a few minutes before using.  This warms up the finish so it flows nicely.

[spirithorse]

All the answers above should help you out.

If you are using the spray in an area with low heat, I would just take the can into the house

until it is at room temperature before spraying.

God Bless! Spirithorse