How to get a perfect finish on painted projects

[@Shopbuilt]

is it just me or do you guys tend to have at least one major mistake per project? Making all the drawers to big was a heart breaking moment.....

[@Michael-Makes-Stuff]

Shop built But more importantly, it turned out awesome! 👍🏼 I love that you show us your mistakes. Makes me realize it even happens to the best, and it need not ruin the project. This is one of the reasons I love your channel.

[@TerryPullen]

No. But I've been at it a while.

[@CReevesMakes]

I agree, in the broad context of projects, I get to a point where I miss a dimension or material sizing etc. Thankfully, I have been on the right side of the mistake. "If you have to remove material, its an inconvenience. If you have to add material, its a mistake!" LOL Great video!

[@gregac1984]

Every dang time

[@jimm2442]

I believe that given there are going to be mistakes, it is how you recover from them and produce a great job that really shows experience and talent.

[@roshansamaranayake2085]

some questions here. 1.is the polycrylic applied directly on plywood? 2.assuming you used plywood for the cabinet, do you prepare the cabinet before applying paint? if so can you describe the process ?

[@chrisswartzwelder8494]

Nice job did you just use water to clean the gun?

[@jddeefo1022]

So, first great video. I've been doing carpentry for awhile and my major problem is the finishing. I want to build some cabinets and want to finally get a great paint job. Can you recommend an affordable sprayer that won't break the bank. Something easy to use, and easy to clean up. I'm looking to do kitchen and vanities for myself only. Thanks

[@thesergeant3524]

I have a Fuji Minimite 4 and love it. I've used it to spray everything from polycrylic to latex to oil based enamel for vintage machinery. I keep hearing about Kem Aqua but have never tried it. I'll have to give it a go on my next project. That desk came out beautifully.

[@brettpitts9338]

I love the fact that you showed the inconvenient sizing issue at the end of this video. It makes your videos more real. Plus, it makes me feel better when I do the same. Keep it up and way to go in scoring a sweet HVLP!

[@shalem77]

Is not necessary send it or primer before paint it?? And also tha small sprayer machine work well with lacquer??

[@Michael-Makes-Stuff]

Another fantastic video, Ryan! After starving all summer without Shopbuilt videos, I’m so happy you are back. Your stuff is the best for being helpful, fun, and entertaining.

[@nairbudy6403]

What were the products you were spraying? Sherwin Williams Sher-wood...? You mention acrylic and “surfacer”... Same thing or two distict products? Thanks

[@donvanco3078]

It's super easy! Step One: Get Fuji to send you a $1100 sprayer for free.

[@zero.g13]

check out some videos on the super cheap,

[@spleerfloof]

Haha

[@brianmi40]

I get a glass finish after priming and sanding by using Behr Premium Plus thinned with 5% water, and spraying with one of these for $17: harborfreight.com/20-oz-hvlp-gravity-feed-air-spray-gun-62300.html All it required was some practice on a scrap to get the settings right (max out the flow rate, set fan width and air pressure).

[@robertbotta6536]

Goo one Dave. Thanks. So would you post the name of the primer and paint. Do you sand 220 after primer or paint or both? Sorry for newbie question.

[@MKpixelfan]

What's the best / most affordable gun one can buy for just a few random projects? I have 3 Target type furniture pieces so assuming it's plywood or particle board, they are gray and I want them all to be white. Tried brush and roller in the past, takes too long and it's too messy, can you recommend a cheap gun that would do the job?

[@tehdreamer]

Did you just spray water based acrylic paint? No extra layer of varnish or anything? Can you do varnish on top of it? I've done the same with acrylic paint over my campervan furniture but it doesnt feel durable enough from scratching etc.

[@jeremyspecce]

Looks great! I may have to go in this direction to paint this 5 panel door that I've had sitting waiting to paint because I'm too scared to get drip and brush marks on it. Can you tell me what the difference is between the fuji vs an HVLP that just connects to compressed air hose?

[@jfk4032]

Just bought a Fuji sprayer like yours last year and love it. Only used it spraying water based poly onto my shop cabinet drawer fronts so far. Plan to attack new kitchen cabinets. Can you describe the steps in painting/finishing your kitchen cabinets white? They looked terrific in your video. How many layers of the paint, did you thin it or right out of the Sherman Williams can, did you spray a clear finish on top, using what?

[@Shopbuilt]

+jfk4032 sure I used the same product that I showed in this video (Kem aqua), first sprayed the acrylic surfacer and sanded it to 220. Than spayed two coats on the fronts and one coat on all the backs and that's it. Just make sure the doors are cleaned very well in-between each coat . Paint wasn't thined and no clear coat, this paint has a really nice Sheen, it's actually the low gloss option. A pigmented laquer is even batter but really high VOC, gotta spray in a very well ventilated area. Also you'll have to tell them at the paint store your a contractor becuase they won't sell it to a regular consumer. Another note- I don't think you can buy either options at a big box store, you have to get it at a paint store.

[@dja711]

Do you spray different types of paint through the Fuji? Water base, lacquer etc. I heard using the same sprayer on different types of paints can gum up the sprayer. Have you had any issue using water base and solvents in the same gun? Also did you use the kem aqua on your kitchen cabinets?

[@SlapStuffTogether]

Really nice! We don't tend to paint a lot of projects but good to know a system like this exists. Thanks for sharing.

[@Shopbuilt]

for sure, thanks for watching!

[@Thijsvdd]

Great job! This as always the fun part as a professional painter. There are a lot of acrylic based products you can use. Most of the time the description tells how much thinner you can make the product, so you can use it to spray. The better you prepare the piece you want to spray the better the finish. What i found really helpful was to cross spray the piece. First layer is very thin, the next gives the cover you need. This way you decrease the chance of missing spots and seeing spray lines. Try to keep your lungs clean while painting and than there is only the cleaning left... good luck with that!

[@Shopbuilt]

+Thijs Van Den Dool nice! Thanks for the info. I actually don't thin at all, and used a bigger tip, do you recommend thinning? It seemed to spray well.

[@Thijsvdd]

Your welcome. It depends on the product whether or not you have to make it thinner. But what i learned is that it's better to apply a few thinner layers of paint so you don't get sags(? i'm not sure if this is the right word for it, since English isn't my native language) but still get a good cover. It also depends on the time you want to spend on painting the piece.

[@rick91443]

Never(I mean ever,) paint any of my woodworking projects but followed along and enjoyed your explanations and demonstration. "Never say never, " so thanks, who knows...rr

[@samcerreta807]

Sorry for the beginner question... was the surface what was tinted light blue? Do you apply the surfaces before the clear lacquer coat? Thanks.

[@WayWoodworking]

Do you have to dilute the paint for the gun? It looks great going on the cabinet.

[@Shopbuilt]

Let me know how you get that factory like finish on your painted projects! The more tips for painting in the comments the better resource this video will be, thanks everyone!!

[@thomasmichael0317]

Shop built can you provide more info on the paint?

[@rr7110]

Tom Capano I second this

[@gregboutelle3902]

Shop built more info on the paint please?

[@Shopbuilt]

oem.sherwin-williams.com/products/wood/pigmented-wood-finishes/ this is the product page of both the lacquer and the acrylic paint, i used the SHER-WOOD® KEM Aqua® Plus White

[@sethwaltemyer1412]

What is the"paint surfacer" you mentioned? I've tried various solutions for plywood, but nothing I've been happy with. Would love to know what you use. Thanks!

[@SkyroofNova72]

Kem Aqua is a solid choice for sprayed application. For those without sprayers, the Sherwin Williams Waterbased Alkyd Urethane is a great option. Self levels with minimal brush marks or stipple, and its crazy durable. One of the hardest finishes without going oil for brush and roll application. Great video and editing. Keep it up!

[@i.m.peterrific]

I've got to agree with you on the Alkyd based paints. We don't have SW here in Australia, but Taubmans do an Alkyd based paint that I used for the first time on our latest reno for doors and architrave. It was fantastic! And the gloss level was even higher than the oil based paint that I was going to use.

[@Patrick-wc9xf]

Nice looking cabinet! Im considering buying the mini-mite 3 to start spraying my wood projects. New to painting but you showed two cans of paint which threw me off. My question is what were the types of paint you used to get that finish?

[@ecrusch]

Hey Fuji! You keep supporting this channel and I'll support you. Deal? Deal... Great tip brother, and that color you chose was awesome. Thank you Eric

[@BradleyMakesThings]

Super interested in this video as I’ve been learning to spray and not loving it. Happy to hear about the kem aqua products. What needle/orifice size did you use to make it so you didn’t have to thin it? Thanks for sharing!

[@daveerickson5313]

I’ve sprayed it a bounce of times with my Fuji Q5. I use a 1.3 size tip and don’t do any thinning. It’s a dream and makes me look much better than I really am.

[@TheTechGuider]

is acrylic water based? how much do you thin down you water based poly? what did you use to clean the gun after, water?

[@sdahao]

Is it very hard to clean spray gun after using oil paint?

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thats a nice bit of kit. Its going on my Christmas list.

[@Shopbuilt]

i hope Santa brings you one:)

[@maurell-webb820]

Seeing this for the first time. Really good info. Would you mind putting some links or names to the products you used? I went to Sherwin Williams and they did not seem to "have a clue".

[@daytontanner379]

Love the video. I bought a Fuji and Kem Aqua plus paint based on your recommendation to spray some kitchen cabinets. What tip size did you use? Thank you.

[@jodyclaborn]

You make great videos. Always a useful topic, great sound and editing. Thanks for your hard work!

[@jko8888]

My company manufactured the piston pump sprayer you didn't use. I also felt it was really hard to clean. It's more geared towards big jobs though, as mentioned.

[@solidunity]

Love your videos man! So you were using the Q4 system. Worth going to the Q4 or can you skate by with a lower system with similar results?

[@artagain8977]

Just finished some massive built-ins. One tip that I find helpful when spraying plywood and some hardwoods: load distilled water into the cup, spray, let dry, then sand with 220 prior to paint/finish. This will raise the grain which you can sand down prior to your finish. This is only necessary on water based finishes though. Solvent bases generally don't raise the grain.

[@antkn33]

Sweet video! Two questions 1. How durable is that edge banding you used on the plywood at the beginning of the video. 2. Have you been able to get a decent finish using something other than hvlp?

[@jimanderson9403]

Nice work. Love the flag and shirt. You mentioned the difference between spraying and brushing/rolling for smoothness . Having done some work watching /helping my brother , who's an artist-like cabinet maker, he always preferred steel wool over 400+ wet sand paper and the finish was phenomenal. My question is this : Do you find that spraying , in the long run, saves more paint or product (ie primers dies etc.) ? Awhile ago I started some leather crafting . I spray dyed with an airbrush opposed to dipping a towel and rubbing it in as suggested. Did the same with the Neatsfoot oil and saved a lot of product. Do you find that you save any product by spraying over brushing or rolling ? Great video , nice work . Thank You .

[@joseluisdiazmeneses5150]

Very interesting, what can you say about the mechanical paint reaistence? Scratches, dents, peal off, etc. Don't you think an extra protection layer could be needed? (laquer, polyurethane, etc)

[@thomaswindfeld728]

Great job. Love the color, by the way!

[@macrapidito1]

can you share your cabinet color pls :)

[@dunk10matthew]

Can you add a link to the paint as well? Did you have to thin it to use it with this gun?

[@Shopbuilt]

i didn't thin at all. oem.sherwin-williams.com/products/wood/pigmented-wood-finishes/ this is the product page of both the lacquer and the acrylic paint, i used the SHER-WOOD® KEM Aqua® Plus White

[@joejaszczak]

Shop built were you able to buy that at a regular Sherwin Williams store?

[@the_sharp_carpenter]

Kem Aqua for the win!! I build custom cabinetry and built-ins for a living, coloured, clear, its all Kem Aqua. Great tips.

[@Shopbuilt]

+Rodney Philmon nice! It's nice on the lungs compared to the pigmented laquer.

[@runejl1]

After painting some Kitchen Cabinets I built, I was thinking I would never paint anything again. Thanks for the tips and maybe I will give this a try. Did you have to do anything to the paint to prep it for going through the the HVLP Spray Gun?

[@Shopbuilt]

+runejl1 nope, didn't need to be thinned.

[@raul.deanda]

I really miss the videos! @shopbuild please come back :(

[@parkersgamingandtoyreview1106]

I love your kitchen cabinet doors could you do a video on how you made them?

[@MrSteeDoo]

Why are all the best woodworking channels done by Canadians?

[@jeremyspecce]

Oh, and I like the look of that SW sher-wood, love that it is sandable.

[@b3arwithm3]

can you share how many coats were applied? The white color was primer?

[@AshleyMckendree]

But what tinted finish did you put on top of the Sher-wood?

[@nicolycrispi3134]

Such a nice colour for a hose! Also, mesmerizing the first part of the video w. Just thesong

[@duncanflindle3722]

Hi Ryan, good tips and a really well shot video. Loved that camera change! And the shop looks great in white.

[@Shopbuilt]

thanks man!!

[@paisaamericano875]

What paint are you Using??

[@jonideever19]

What size of tip did you use on your spray gun? Thanks.

[@JackCreekRoad]

Instructions unclear, spray gun now clogged with Crystal Pepsi x) Thanks for the tips, the drawers came out super clean.

[@Shopbuilt]

lol, thanks man:)

[@akquicksilver]

Great video and very nice kitchen!

[@Shopbuilt]

+JB Marker thanks man!

[@BlueTurfer]

What paint did you spray your kitchen cabinets with?

[@HeavyboxesDIYMaster]

The trick to spraying cabinets is to have the back slide on and off with grooves on the sides. The top is cut slightly shorter from the back so the 1/4" inch back can slide up through the top. Then you spray the carcass and the back separate, then assemble with only two screws to keep the back in place. This is for kitchen cabinets. If you want the cabinet to stand alone with a finished top, then of course it doesn't work as well.

[@plethorax7127]

Oh my my I looked up that sprayer lol, good but man thats a pretty penny, and recommended that are starter price?

[@brianmi40]

I get a glass finish after priming and sanding by using Behr Premium Plus thinned with 5% water, and spraying with one of these: harborfreight.com/20-oz-hvlp-gravity-feed-air-spray-gun-62300.html All it required was some practice on a scrap to get the settings right (max out the flow rate, set fan width and air pressure).

[@grantliddiard7742]

Another great video Ryan.

[@carlbaker8698]

What is the cost for the sprayer? Their website doesn’t have it listed.... or at least I couldn’t find it

[@j0rgepereira]

Where to you buy the plywood? Big box stores don't seem to have good quality Ply.

[@Mrfreezeee1]

ive used one for years myself ,not that brand mind you ,i use a mixture of water-based urethane and water based paints ,depending of the amount of gloss to the amount of urethane ,and always use a good quality paint or stain ,found that mixing it yourself saves you a lot ,compared to buy 1 LT cans ,and another nice thing you can roll it on and brush it if you find the need to and it still flows out nice ,you do need a 1.6 or better tip for your gun as it will still dry fairly fast in the tip of your gun

[@Shopbuilt]

awesome info!

[@williamdell5327]

How do you treat the plywood edges? Thanks

[@dsdragoon]

Great video and comments! Thank you. I recently purchased a Fuji Spray Q5 PLATINUM™ QUIET Turbine and three of their guns. They work great but I need much more practice at spray painting.

[@alanmatthews9260]

Do you thin that Kem Aqua in your Fuji sprayer?

[@daveerickson5313]

I’ve sprayed it a bunch of times with a Q5 and no thinning necessary.

[@danyoung327]

What size tip are you using?

[@daniellewis9319]

What was the color?

[@TheRodlund]

Do you have a Sketchup file of the drawers you made? I'd like to replicate something similar.

[@FranksDIY]

I have the old type with the compressor need to get me something like that . Thanks for sharing

[@AndyBlackman]

I have the mini-mite 3 and love it.

[@l3ender15]

I always like your music selection. Nice!

[@robertkerby2581]

Well done!

[@flyamericanguy]

I can’t find Pepsi Crystal near me. Is there another Pepsi product that works to clean it? Have you tried any Coke products?

[@tsalter79]

Great video. Thanks for the useful info and well presented.

[@nhwoodshop4742]

Wow nice sprayer! Did anyone try the rockler hlvp system ?

[@jasonautry24]

Did you use a prime under the sherwood? If so what did you use?

[@Shopbuilt]

yes, i called it a surfacer in the video, but same idea. SHER-WOOD® Kem Aqua Plus Surfacer

[@jasonautry24]

There is a SHER-WOOD surfacer (primer) and a top coat? Two separate products?

[@b3arwithm3]

Are those electric paint sprayers under $100 any good?

[@brianmi40]

I get a glass finish after priming and sanding by using Behr Premium Plus thinned with 5% water, and spraying with one of these: harborfreight.com/20-oz-hvlp-gravity-feed-air-spray-gun-62300.html All it required was some practice on a scrap to get the settings right (max out the flow rate, set fan width and air pressure).

[@b3arwithm3]

@@brianmi40 thanks for the tip. I suppose your compressor is of a good size. I have a tiny one for firing Brad nails thus considering an electric sprayer.

[@brianmi40]

​@@b3arwithm3 Yes, I used it on a 30 gallon compressor, however, you should be able to get by on something like this or a little larger, if you're not trying to do 100% duty, but letting it catch up a bit... harborfreight.com/air-tools-compressors/air-compressors-tanks/air-compressors/17-gallon-18-hp-150-psi-oil-free-air-compressor-69666.html Personally, I'd think it better to invest in an air compressor and a cheap gun, than invest in an expensive paint sprayer, as you end up with something that's multi-purpose for any air tools, etc. p.s. HF is taking 10% off everything for the 4th... coupon...

[@hobbit04]

We use the Wagner system as professional Room painters here in Germany. Allows us to paint a room in 10-15 minutes. I think it is not suitable for accurate wood painting.

[@dougbiddle8547]

Love the format of your videos man. I’ve been looking into buying an HVLP system. I will check this one out. Love the simple design and the nice contrast of top. Keep up the good work.

[@Shopbuilt]

thanks man! its worth looking into, they make a really quality system.

[@thomasmarliere2505]

Wow that’s clean ! 👍

[@Shopbuilt]

thanks!!

[@XaeroR35]

I have the Fuji Q5 and I keep getting air bubbles in my paint. I have no idea whjat I am doing wrong, but I am on the 6th coat on my cabinet drawers and still cant get it right.

[@TheTechGuider]

How do you thin down the water poly and what ratio do you use??

[@Shopbuilt]

i actually didn't thin at all

[@TheTechGuider]

Shop built what size tip

[@socksonfeet8125]

at 1:44, what did you say? a "blahblah" laquer? couldnt make it out

[@iamepimethus]

Thanks!! Been looking for a good paint like this!!

[@HagridWillFindYou]

What is the stuff called that he puts on the end grain of the ply wood at 0:21 ?

[@ThekiBoran]

You can get good results with a cheap Husky spray gun, a compressor and thinned latex paint. After the paint dries you can use the same spray gun to apply a water based polyurethane for a durable finish.

[@Mrmarginofsafety]

If Kem Aqua Plus not available SW recommends Emerald Urethane

[@engineeringdreams5408]

can you give us all the tools you've been used in the video please.. tnx

[@StevenPG72]

On your big sprayer all you had to do was buy a FFLP tip, 4-6" spray fan and no overspray, unless you have $1000 to throw away for the Fuji

[@shaunnapierccc4191]

Nice video! Good info!

[@steverochon1620]

I have no idea what this week's video was about, as all I focused on was Max destroying your shop! Merry Christmas Matt!

[@offgridsweden]

Great tutorial. Greetings from Andreas

[@Shopbuilt]

thanks!!

[@supergimp2000]

Haha. The only people I know with Fuji Q4 are the KZbinrs they give it to for free.

[@hispeed69]

Steve Thompson I looked up the price... try $1099!!!! I'll stick to my Wagner system and pray harder!

[@supergimp2000]

Yea. No kidding!

[@nismo613]

Steve Thompson I wish I could just "reach out" to companies to get them to send me outrageously expensive tools for free. I tell ya, I'm really tired of seeing that. As soon as I heard that line and saw the Q4 I stopped watching. Maybe I'll reach out to Festool so I can get a Domino. That's how it works right?

[@artagain8977]

So what if he did get it for free? Why don't you make a HD video showing exactly how to spray on a good finish? I've been a hobbyist woodworker for close to 20yrs now and still can't get over how many people whine about the cost of a good HVLP set up, yet they spend $500 or even twice that for a band saw, table saw, machines, etc...Built a project out of walnut then brush on lacquer?? A few hundred dollars will get a decent HVLP system.

[@nismo613]

No one cares that it's an hvlp sprayer. It could have been any other tool. The point is that these KZbinrs get these tools just by "reaching out" to the company. The rest of us little people have to reach in to our pockets. The laser cutters, the CNC machines, the dominos, the drum sanders etc.

[@Golod_ne_tetka]

Отличный пистолет! Приятно посмотреть на работу профессионала.

[@jeffeberl12]

How do you find enough Pepsi clear?

[@gregsmith_za]

You could always try Sprite

[@shaynesabala]

Actually, the gun should be taken apart and cleaned. It’s very simple. I tried running two cups of water through mine and followed by taken it apart. I found paint in key areas. It’s super simple to take apart and clean. As far as cleaning an airless goes, I don’t see why people say they are hard to clean. You run water through them and clean the gun just like you do with every other sprayer. On my airless I take the gun apart and throw everything into a bucket of water. I clean it (little effort) as I’m putting the gun back together before use. Don’t let clean up be a deciding factor when choosing a system. I have 4 stayers and 🤦‍♂️ and I don’t do this for a living lol.

[@kaycox5555]

VERY helpful video; thanks much for uploading and sharing....

[@thatguythatdoesstuff7448]

If you don't want to buy a turbine system, and you have a compressor, you can always buy a LVLP gun for small to medium size projects. 1) Sprayit 33000. $50~. Best value probably. 2) Qual Spray QS-125wb. $270. Probably the best LVLP you can get under $350. If you don't have an industrial compressor, stay away from HVLP guns.

[@MemoncarpenterShophalanew]

I love it

[@ecommerceclickandbuy5856]

Nice,i like it!love from malaysia

[@Shopbuilt]

thanks man!!