A change in season doesn't need to affect your finish Sacramento CA

High viscosity "coatings" act like cold honey; therefore, the lacquer will not "atomize" into small particles and flow out to a level smooth surface before it dries.

Local Companies

Classic Cabinets
(916) 922-6029
4620 Raley Blvd.
Sacramento, CA
Advanced Roof Design, Inc.
916-381-2266
4 Wayne Court, Building #10
Sacramento, CA
Teichert Construction
530-406-4200
P.O. BOX 1890
Davis, CA
Deco Construction
916-496-1666
Folsom
Folsom, CA
Deco Construction
916-496-1666
176 Tomlinson Dr
Folsom, CA
Freitag Cabinet Shop
(916) 421-3518
3045 52nd Rear Ave
Sacramento, CA
Teixeira Woodworks
(916) 455-6884
8167 Alpine Ave
Sacramento, CA
Craftsman Furniture Service
(916) 454-0145
8196 Belvedere Ave Ste 130
Sacramento, CA
Garcia Christina
(916) 564-5135
2424 Evergreen St
Sacramento, CA
Design Workshops
(510) 434-0727
Oakland, CA

provided by: 

Q: We have a small cabinet shop in the Northeastern part of the United States. Every fall my finisher has problems with our precatalyzed lacquer. It will not "flow" out smooth before it dries. It feels rough to the touch, and customers have been complaining about our finish. What has he been doing wrong?

P.S. He has been making the finish "run" and "sag" a lot lately.

A: Generally, this problem relates to cold material temperatures. It is possible that you may be experiencing night time temperatures between 40 to 50 F this time of year, since you are located in the far Northeast. Many shops do not leave the heat turned up at nighttime or store their coating material in a location where the coating material temperatures can easily drop to 60 F or less. A 10-degree drop from 72 F will increase your coating's viscosity up to as much as 30 percent.

High viscosity "coatings" act like cold honey; therefore, the lacquer will not "atomize" into small particles and flow out to a level smooth surface before it dries. Other problems can cause this defect; however, this roughness or "orange peel" effect — plus experiencing problems with runs and sags — indicate that this issue is related to cold material temperatures.

You could try bringing the coating material temperature up by placing the pails of coating in a safe heated area the night before use. This should solve your problem. It is always important to ensure finishing materials are above 72 F before using.

Ed. note: Phil Stevenson is the founder of the American Wood Finishing Institute (AWFI) in Vineland, N.J.

author: By Phil Stevenson


Featured Local Company

Classic Cabinets

(916) 922-6029
4620 Raley Blvd.
Sacramento, CA

Related Local Events
Business Issues Committee Meeting
Dates: 6/26/2009 - 6/26/2009
Location: Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce
Fairfield, CA
View Details

Executive Board Meeting
Dates: 6/23/2009 - 6/23/2009
Location: Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce
Fairfield, CA
View Details

Membership Committee Meeting
Dates: 6/18/2009 - 6/18/2009
Location: Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce
Fairfield, CA
View Details

Suisun City Business Group Meeting
Dates: 6/18/2009 - 6/18/2009
Location: Suisun City Council Chambers
Suisun, CA
View Details

Travis Regional Armed Forces Committee Meeting
Dates: 6/15/2009 - 6/15/2009
Location: Delta Breeze Club, Travis AFB
Travis AFB, CA
View Details