Problem Spraying Latex - Switching to Kem Aqua Help

[OXCanada]

Hello,

I am very new to spraying and am only a weekend woodworker.  So far I have very good results with poly and primer but when I tried to spray lacquer, it was a disaster.  I mean a true disaster of orange peel.  I tried a few things but didn't know much about spraying at the time.  Since then, I have found this forum and learned a ton more. 

After seeing all the posts, Im ready to give paint another go with Kem Aqua +.

Here is what I have for a set-up:

Fuji MM4 with a T70 Gravity cup
1.0, 1.3 and 1.8 aircap (They were recommended to my when I bought the unit.)

From what I have seen on the forum as far as spraying:

Two coats of SW Surfacer in 1.3 aircap  (Sanded Between)
KA+ through a 1.0 aircap

Do I need to thin any of those products?  Also should I add any Floetrol?

Also, I have seen that I should have maybe gotten the 1.5 aircap.  Should I exchange it?

After my last disaster, I'm hoping to get this one right.  Finishing is definitely an art.

 

[tjbnwi]

The 1.0 and 1.3 should be fine unless the material is cold. If it is cold, place the can warm water.

Do not use Flotrol.

Depending on the color, you may need to use the 1.3 for the color coat.

Consider getting the PPS system for your gun.

The T-70 is a bottom feed gun, the T-75 is the gravity gun.

Tom

 

[OXCanada]

Thanks for the help!

I will be painting a dresser for my next project.  Should I spray a clear coat on top of the paint?

We set keys and small things on top and I'm wondering if I need to do that extra step to protect the finish.

 

[blaszcsj]

I have the same setup and have been fooling around with the settings. The biggest thing I found to help was using the viscosity cup and getting the paint to the right consistency that is listed in the manual, then choosing the tip for the application.

I also took off the air valve and play with the fluid and pattern settings on a test area until i get a good controllable build up of material. put it on easy. My struggle at first was seeing thickness of material laid down and not getting  run.

++++on the PPS system.

 

[mschmidt10k]

Unless you're spraying Latex straight-up, I'd exchange the 1.8 cap for a 1.5 - I have a full set of the fuji caps and the ones I use the most by far are the 1.0, 1.3 and 1.5.

I'll second what tjbnwi said about the PPS system - it may seem pricey, but it's a fantastic upgrade for the Fuji guns and once you have it, you can't imagine going back.

 

[bnaboatbuilder]

My suggestion is to buy a gallon of paint that is easy to spray, SW ProClassic, Behr, Valspar, whatever doesn't matter. Sounds as if you just need to practice spraying on cardboard or non-important items and really get some experience.

Kem Aqua is a far more experience-requiring-paint to spray in the first place. You are trying to run a marathon without the 3+ months of required training.

PPS cup system is a game changer. No longer do you have to worry about gun orientation, plus you always have a good filter in the lid itself.