Critter Spray Gun

[DWilliams]

Hello,

I have been lurking on here for a while now. Lot of good info on here and I appreciate you guys taking the time to share some of your experience.

I have been making smaller signs as a hobby with a 2x4 DIY router, mostly ceder signs with black lettering and white signs with black lettering. I started out using Lowes Valspar rattle cans and was able to put a pretty nice finish on the signs. The rattle can paint seems a little expensive and I seen some post on the Critter spray gun so I thought I would give it a try. Can't beat the ease of cleanup and how quick you can change paints and it worked real good spraying shellac. The problem is I haven't figured out how to get a good finish spaying paint with it yet (oil based and laytex). I get a slight orange peel finish. Do any of you get a good finish with oil or laytex paint and if so what brands? Should I be looking for a better sprayer for what I am doing or do I just need to practice a little more lol.

Doug

[gene]

Orange peel = paint sprayed on too thick. thin your paint and go with several thin coats for much better results

[chiloquinruss]

Doug, I see you are up in sunny WA, I'm in sunny OR. If I try and paint below 60 deg I get orange peel. I have a small lamp in my paint cabinet to maintain a constant temp on my stored paint. I also have a heat lamp in my paint booth and I leave it on for a couple of hours before painting. I also do as suggested above and thin the paint for spraying. Russ

[joe]

I agree with Gene and Russ about the orange peal.

I love my Critter. It's not expensive and does an excellent job.

I'd suggest giving your letters a coat of shellac first. That will even out the absorbtion rate, giving smoother look. You can have a critter jar of shellac ready, folowed up with your jar of black. Fresh shellac should set up in a few minutes with a light on it.

Joe

[andyb]

Doug,
Thin Latex out with Floetrol and oil based with Penetrol. I use mostly Latex and Floetrol. You can get them at the big box stores or a paint store. I use them on some sign that I do and it works great.

http://www.floodco.com/paint-additive-solutions/paint-additive-guide/index.jsp

Andy B.