RGaefe Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 I just recently bought some DF clear and your thinner in hopes to put a beautiful glossy clear on a maple drum shell. I've just about used up the product trying to get the finish to lay down on scrap before I apply to my fairly expensive raw drum ($100). I just purchased a Harbor Freight hvlp sprayer that includes the air turbine, gun and three different sized nozzle tips 1.4 and 1.8 used. I decided to start by applying a thin coat of DF on the wood with a brush (not reduced). I let dry 24 hrs. Then sanded using 320 grit. I reduced the DF by 10% and tried applying to different pieces of wood using both tips using amounts of flow through the gun. I can't seem to get a nice coat down. Nothing but orange peel. Like I said, I'm running out of the DF and pretty frustrated at this point. I know the DF clear will look great as soon as I can get it down properly. Any suggestions? Thanks! P.S. the spray area temp is right around 67 f. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGaefe Posted February 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Ok. I did some more research. I'm going to try the 1.0mm tip with the DF thinned by 10%. we shall see. I understand the gun isn't pro quality, but I should be able to get a nice level coat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBS Coatings Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Can you please let us know the air pressure you are spraying at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGaefe Posted February 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Don't laugh too hard, but it says "constant" in the specifics. The electric motor is 11/3 horsepower. The air inlet is 1.137" and the hose is 15' long. A hvlp turbine type sprayer kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBS Coatings Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Try it at 35 PSI and let me know how that looks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGaefe Posted February 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 I would, but there isn't an adjustment for air pressure. One adjustment for the air/product flow on the gun. I'll give the smaller tip and moderate flow of air and product. I'll let you know later today. The temp should be a bit warmer today. Maybe that will hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGaefe Posted February 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Well, used smaller tip (1.0mm), thinned the DF by 15% and reduced air/product flow at the gun. Sealer coat looks pretty good except tiny popped bubbles. Will sand out tomorrow and will increase the flow a little for the actual first coat. Hopefully weather will be like today to apply the coat tomorrow. I will keep you updated. The wood I'm using has been blown clean and tack clothed after sanding to provide the cleanest surface possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBS Coatings Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 Thanks for keeping us in the loop on how your project is progressing. Please let us know how the DiamondFinish Clear looks now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGaefe Posted February 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Well, weather has been too cool/wet to spray the last couple of days. Today I decided to brush the first coat on. Hopefully dry enough by 3:30pm pacific time to brush on the second coat. I may just ditch the sprayers and just brush on. Hey, if it gets the results I'm looking for, who cares how it's applied! I'll let you know. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGaefe Posted February 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 Yep, the brush is the way to go for me. Thank you for your help. I just put an order in for more Diamond Finish. What a great product! Please don't ever discontinue. I'll send pics of before and after when my snare drum is done. Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBS Coatings Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Thank you so much for your positive feedback. We really appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGaefe Posted February 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 You bet! Don't be surprised if you start getting orders for DF from other drum builders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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