Preparation and Application Methods

Wood Preparation

Using a spray bottle or slightly wet sponge lightly wet wood. Let set for several moments then wipe dry with lint free cloth, let project sit until fully dry. This step will raise the grain of the wood improving the over all finish. By hand, lightly sand your project with 220 grit non-steared sandpaper, removing only the ‘fuzz’ created by the grain raising. Vacuum thoroughly to remove all dust; do not use a tack cloth.

Finishing Area and Environment

It is important to provide a clean, temperature stable, well-ventilated environment in which to apply CrystaLac finish coatings. The featured properties of CrystaLac, self leveling, rapid drying, hard cure and crystal clarity will occur best in an average temperature of 70º F, with gentle circulation of moving air. This will aid rapid surface evaporation. Extremes should be avoided. Using in an environment below 60ºF or above 90ºF can affect the performance of the finish coat. After the coating is dry to the touch, it will continue to cure and harden. The temperature should remain constant through this time period. DO NOT store any CrystaLac Finishing products in an environment below 60ºF. Avoid freezing.

Product Application

Conventional sprayers, HVLP turbine sprayers and HVLP Conversion Guns may be used to apply Clear Coats, and Color Coats, with the exception of the “brushables”. When using a HVLP system a 1mm needle (.039) will provide excellent results. If a conventional compressed air system is being used a fine lacquer tip is suggested at a pressure of 40-45 psi. HVLP Air Conversion Spray Guns will usually atomize CrystaLac® with 4.5 – 5.0 psi air cap pressure. Adjust if necessary. Since airless sprayers are not usually used for fine finishing, we suggest that you spray a test sample before committing to the job. This also applies to air assisted airless spray equipment.

It is important that the Clear Coat or Color Coat being used is stirred not shaken
and then strained through a paper or nylon cone type filter.

Whether your project is stained or unstained your results will be most successful if you apply two light coats of the Clear Coat. Apply first coat, let dry then proceed with a second coat, after the second coat is thoroughly dry, lightly sand with 320-grit non-steared sandpaper. Vacuum well, DO NOT use a tack cloth. Next you may apply two additional coats, as before let each coat dry before applying additional finishing coat. The final two coats should look wet, not milky; each coat should dry level and clear. Sanding between these two coats is not necessary providing that care was taken with the preparation of your surface as well as the application of the first two coats.

When using the “brushable” a good quality brush will provide you the best results, although on smaller craft projects an inexpensive foam brush will be sufficient. As with the sprayable application, you must first apply two light coats of product, letting each coat dry. Lightly sand after the second coat is thoroughly dry, using 320-grit non-steared sandpaper. Vacuum well, DO NOT use a tack cloth. Next you may brush on the product making the surface wet not milky. Again let this dry completely, then apply the final coat, without sanding, making the surface only wet.

It is important to remember, before you start any finishing proper wood preparation, as noted above will lend you the best overall results.

Cautions

Waterborne resins and additives found in CrystaLac® products contain a variety of substances that react with ferrous metals, such as aluminum and certain alloys that can cause corrosion and contamination of spray gun parts. It is important that ALL spray gun parts that come in contact with any of these fluids be made of a high-grade stainless steel or Teflon coated to afford a measure of protection. Possible reactions can be pitting of the aluminum, corrosion, rusting, discoloration and/or contamination of the coating being applied. Cup type spray guns should have a stainless steel tip, needle, and fluid passage, as well as the cup assembly parts. Aluminum cups should be Teflon coated for optimum protections and also feature stainless secondary parts. Older pressure pots were usually made from galvanized or cast iron with a fluid pick-up tube made of aluminum or steel. These older model units will react with the coating causing corrosions as well as contamination problems. If using an older type pressure pot, inserting an appropriate pot liner and changing the fluid pick-up tube to stainless steel or plastic, and using an epoxy paint for a suitable protective coating on the underside the pressure pot lid. However a new pressure pot designed for these modern coating is highly recommended. Fluid hoses should be high quality and lined. Hose couplers should be appropriate non-corrosive metals. It is our recommendation that cup type spray guns be cleaned after completion of the project. Material should not be left in the spray gun overnight. The same is recommended for pressure pot use. Remove the material from the pot and flush fluid lines at the end of each workday. If contamination or discoloration of the coating has occurred, discard the suspect material and determine the source of the problem before continuing.

Clean-Up

When cleaning spray guns, wash and rinse gun with warm water. It is sometimes possible to hold your spray gun under running water allowing the warm water to flow through the material pick-up tube pulling back the trigger will permit the water to flow through the spray jet. This will flush out any remaining coating. If waterborne coating dries on any part of the spray equipment it will need to be softened with CrystaLac’s Liquid Organic Spray Gun Cleaner. This cleaner is an environmentally safe, non-flammable, alternative to harmful solvents such as lacquer thinners or acetone.