LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Zinsser Primer

1K views 9 replies 4 participants last post by  CWWoodworking 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I recently picked up an Earlex 5500, and don't have prior HVLP experience.

I want to finish a dresser (birch ply carcass) in white. I've read that Zinsser BIN primer sprays well.

Can I use several coats of zinsser primer as a "white" and topcoat it with general finishes high performance?

I've done some reading into the catalyzed lacquer products, but it doesn't seem as accessible and looks expensive.

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
I have used a lot of BIN primer but, I've never sprayed it except from a rattle can. I assume it would spray well. However, a couple of things I've noticed about it that you might want to check on: first, it is not a very pure white. If that matters, you might want to try some samples first. Second, since it is a primer, I doubt that it has any UV protection in it. So, it might yellow quite a bit over time.
 
#3 ·
Welcome to Lumberjocks!

+1 Zinsser primer is not perfect white. You will want a white top coat.

- Zinsser BIN primer is not hard to spray. The BIN shellac based primer will spray straight from can. BIN oil based primer needs a little thinning to spray well, although with Earlex and large tip it might work direct from can as well.

- Cost is relative, and not sure you have enough data? GF WB finishes tend to be the most expensive wood coating everywhere I shop. Pre-cat lacquer is cheap by comparison?

- Pigmented pre-cat lacquer is really easy to apply, and great choice for cabinetry. Can lay down 3 coats in a day without needing a primer and be done quickly.

- Pre-cat Lacquer is relatively easy to find, once you stop looking for RETAIL stores. Your profile does not share a location, so we can't help you locate a proper industrial wood coatings supplier that can help you get most from your new spray equipment. But surf over to one of industrial wood coatings web sites by: Sherwin Williams, Chemcraft, ML Campbell, Gemini, Target Coatings and they can show local distributors in your area.

Best Luck!
 
#4 ·
Bilyo - thank you for the advice. I hadn't considered yellowing, and assumed GF high performance would provide UV protection… will have to do some more reading.

CaptainKlutz - great points. I'm in Denver (moving to western NC in a few months).

Do commercial stores typically sell smaller quantities of pre cat lacquer? The dresser body is 20"D x 50"W x 30" tall. (The drawer fronts are ash and won't be painted.) I assume a gallon would be overkill?

Any recommendations for a "white" pre cat brand and color to use on cabinets/furniture?

I'm a total newbie to spray finishes, but would love to get some go-to finishes to spray and get comfortable with them…
 
#9 ·
Do commercial stores typically sell smaller quantities of pre cat lacquer? The dresser body is 20"D x 50"W x 30" tall. (The drawer fronts are ash and won't be painted.) I assume a gallon would be overkill?

Any recommendations for a "white" pre cat brand and color to use on cabinets/furniture?
- Sourwood
Most industrial wood finishing distributors sell in sizes requested by local businesses. Which is generally 1, 5, and 55 gallon sizes for top coatings or primers. They do sell stains is quarts. Have one locally that does enough business with hobby wood workers, they will break down popular coatings into quart cans, but the cost is too high. 2 quarts is same as gallon?

+1 SW makes a decent pigmented solvent based pre-cat lacquer.

IME - SW is sort of the industry standard for solvent based lacquer and conversion varnish (CV) coatings. They have been selling them for decades, and have a ton of stores selling it. Which means everyone else makes a very similar products.
For this reason, no reason to limit your choice to only SW. Chemcraft, ML Campbell, Mohawk, Benjamin Moore, and others make similar products and if your closest distributor is not SW, you can still buy decent wood coatings from others.
Another way to put it: If all you local cabinet/furniture companies use something other than SW, then those distributors will have higher volume, fresh stock, and provide lower prices. Buying local also helps as they want to you succeed, and want you to come back often. The higher volume suppliers are not going to sell you junk that doesn't fit your needs.

Additional comments:
- Pre-cat lacquer has shelf life in can. Usually 1 year. If you are not going to use it before it gels in can, might want to consider post catalyzed lacquer. If project is not going to be abused, can also use old school nitrocellulose lacquer. The post catalyzed systems have several year shelf life with proper storage.
My only caution with solvent lacquer for newbie is learn about proper film build. If you attempt to build too thick using lacquer, it can crack/craze. Buy a wet film thickness gauge and learn how to use it!

- Solvent based Pre-Cat Lacquer and CV from SW are nice. But IMHO, the water based coatings SW sells are not the best available in today's market, and I personally don't like using them. Locally many cabinet shops prefer Gemini WB poly. Ml Campbell and Target Costings has decent line of WB products too. Renner has superb WB poly if you can find it.
Notice no where have I mentioned GF? IMHO GF WB Enduro products are inferior to the above mentioned commercial brands. Enduro has tendency to cast a pink tone, more so as it ages and nears expiration date.
Bottom line: need to be more selective about which WB you use. If you want decent WB coatings, need to visit your distributor and ask for most durable WB recommendations (or never seem to get an honest answer).

There is much to learn with spray finish materials, and spray techniques. Get some card board boxes, and practice (1 coat), practice (2 coats), practice (3 coats); on them until you lay down a smooth even film, BEFORE you attempt to spray a project. Always test the gun is working perfect before starting something important!

Finally - Welcome to elevating your wood finishing skills. It is a journey worth taking.

Best Luck!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top