Dents and gouges are both flaws in the wood. But they are not the same thing, so they should be repaired differently. Dents are compressed wood. The wood fibers are still intact, just pressed down or indented. Gouges are also indentations, but the wood fibers have been torn and usually some of the wood has […]
We often receive questions about finishing and spraying. One interesting question that keeps coming across our desk is about Apollo Sprayers HVLP turbine spray systems and what they are best suited for. Since many of our readers are woodworkers, one of the questions we are frequently asked is “What else can I spray with my […]
For over 50 years Apollo Sprayers International, Inc. has been recognized as the HVLP innovator, producer and manufacturer worldwide of TrueHVLP™ spray guns and TrueHVLP™ Turbo Spray Systems. Throughout our history Apollo Sprayers has introduced many “HVLP firsts” and proudly accepted multiple awards for our creativity and originality in HVLP technology and spray equipment. In […]
The vast majority of hobbyist woodworkers, and quite a few professional woodworkers – who might only complete a project or two a month – do their finishing by hand. However, as you begin to undertake more projects, or you move to making larger pieces, it’s natural to start thinking about spray finishing. There are at […]
Apollo Sprayers HVLP systems are complete spray finishing systems consisting of three components. There is no air compressor involved or needed with an Apollo Sprayer HVLP spray finishing system. This is an independent standalone system. The motors used in Apollo Sprayers HVLP turbo spray finishing systems come in different sizes and power/pressure output. Smaller, lower […]
While there are some woodworkers who might cringe at the thought of staining wood, there are good reasons why you might want to do so. Some lighter colored woods, such as poplar, alder, beech, and birch tend to look somewhat bland, and can benefit from a bit of color. Who hasn’t bought a load of […]
Making the Switch from Brush to Spray Believe it or not this is one of the first questions we are asked by people making the switch from brush to spray. How Hard is it to Clean the Spray Gun? Most often you can clean your spray gun faster than you can clean a brush! We […]
Preparation is a huge part of finishing. Failing to prepare the wood will surely lead to a bad finish no matter how good your equipment or coating. Let’s talk first about sanding. You must start with a completely dry piece of wood. If you have stripped it, let it dry thoroughly, this could take a […]
Finishes vary in viscosity depending on their type and formulation, and especially in temperature differences. The viscosity is thicker when the finish is cold and thinner when the finish is warm. To measure viscosity, dip a viscosity cup into a finish so the cup is full. Then lift the cup out of the finish and […]
It’s common to be instructed to apply a finish in the direction of the grain, called “with the grain.” Doing this is usually best when brushing a finish, but it’s rarely necessary when wiping or spraying a finish. Brushing with the grain is best because the grain will help disguise the brush marks, the ridges […]
There are two questions you need to ask when selecting the right system for your needs: Ask yourself how often you will be using the system. Are you using it more or less than 10 hours per week. What coatings or finishes do you intend to use with your Apollo Sprayers HVLP Turbo spray system? […]
Do you really need to clean your spray gun every time you use it? Do you need to clean it when you go to lunch? What if you are putting it away for a week? Which coatings mean clean “right away”? Here are your answers: Always clean your spray gun! If you are spraying a […]
Have you ever used a HVLP turbo paint spray system? Maybe you have been a little apprehensive about it? Take a minute and open your mind to the idea. You can get professional results with little to no mess. Is space at a premium for you? You can spray in more places and situations than […]
You can use architect’s pencils to test for finish hardness (scratch resistance). The lead in these pencils is rated from about 6 or 7B, the softest, to 6 or 7H, the hardest. HB is in the middle. You don’t need to buy all these pencils, just the middle five or six, because most finishes will […]
“Off-the-gun” finish is a widely used phrase among finishers. It means the finish hasn’t been rubbed out. It’s the simplest kind of sprayed finish—spray it on and leave it as is. We have seen the phrase used to mean a poor finish, but this is not a correct usage. An off-the-gun finish doesn’t have to […]
It’s human nature, we all do it. We have a project going – whether it’s a piece we are building or a piece we are refinishing – and there is a whole bunch of time and energy in the rough stages of the project. We keep carving, cutting and shaping it until it takes the […]
While just about all wood is beautiful, not all the pieces of wood we work with are perfect. Sometimes they need a bit of color. Normally we pick and choose through various stacks of lumber looking to acquire boards that match reasonably well in grain and color. Sometimes we end up with boards that have […]
One of the questions/concerns we get a lot is how to get the sheen of the finish even, especially satin sheens. The biggest issue seems to be that the sheen is streaked. The issue seems to be getting the flattening agents to lay down evenly. Oil finishes normally go on very thin and when wiped […]
Good water base coatings have become the norm for many finishers. In the old days it was easy to get a beautiful finish with nitrocellulose lacquer. The coating was very forgiving and offered a wide latitude regarding viscosity – even thinned to 50% or more you still got a terrific finish.
If you engage in the act of finishing at any kind of level, whether it’s your fulltime business or a once a year project then you understand that the proof is in the pudding when it comes to creating good finishes. When you are spraying the goal is to be able to use whatever means […]
