murray*

Well I tried again today with a thinner lacquer (1:1). I sprayed a little closer to the guitar/less pressure, I got less orange peel but a couple of drips. In a weird kind of way this is progress as I suppose next time I'll make the mix maybe 3:1 and take it from there. Thanks again for the feedback

Hey thanks for the tips, all this advice is valuable. I went against what I'd already read and didn't sand back the paint before laying the lacquer. (reasoning- I didn't want to sand through the paint......this is the second attempt at painting this guitar, the first was a disaster so I stripped it back and started again. Just didn't want to go through the painting process again so I thought I'd get some clear coats on and then sand.) This may have been the problem, but like I said in an earlier letter I've never used a gun before so I think I've got some other aspects to understand also. The first thing I tried to paint was a antique chest I restored (back to bare wood), I got a similar finnish on that also. The gun is really simple (looks great, I love that old 50's stuff, ha), a vacuum cleaner thing that sits on your back that connects to the gun (a modern version that looks similar is the hvlp gun at this site (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?Offerings_ID=10469&TabSelect=Reviews). Pressure/fluid control at the back. Basic question can I adjust the fan size a gun like this? I can move the air horns......I spent about a week cleaning this old thing up, internally it's all brass all it all screws apart (love it!). This is my first attempt at spraying so it's all a steep learning curve. I'm using an oil based lacquer. I'm at the stage now where I've sanded back a little and thought I'd go for a thinner coat/lighter pressure coat, but I think I may do a few more tests first Thanks again ps I mixed about 20% thinner with the varnish

Hey there, I've read conflicting reasons as to what causes this. Eg if the paint pressure is too low, and also I've read it occurs if the paint pressure is too high. I'm using an old 1950's spray gun. Is there a way to estimate pressure based on how far the paint comes out? I figure 1) get the pressure right and then at the right distance I should get better results. (eg no orange peel) Any feedback appreciated thanks ps I've read through the tutorials etc but there doesn't seem to be info on pressure estimation. etc

Thanks gain, just did another search and found a wealth of info.

Thanks for the reply, I think your right about the spray gun, it's been four days and the paint drips are still wet.... I think I'll have to take it back to wood and start again. The paint was a premium quality ultra gloss (oil based). I think I may have been better off using cans (though they're all oil based as well). I think the major problem was my technique (lack of it) and the fact that the gun seemed to throw out way too much paint. Certainly got a mess at the moment but I suppose it's a learning curve. Next time I'll test drive a new tool before rushing into it All the best

Hey there, I'm new to this forum (and guitar building). I recently bought a handheld electric airless spray gun. I've just just had my first attempt at using it and have managed to put way too much paint on the guitar, drips everywhere ( and also managed to repaint the house door that was about a metre away ha). I used a .6 nozzle and oil based paint. I thinned the paint down about twenty percent. I realise I may have thinned it too much and maybe got too close ( about a foot). I'm just wondering if anyone has some advice to using one of these or could point me to a site. Is there a way I can use this and get better results? Thanks