Spray can painting

[Lurker]

I decided to tidy up the top of a (shop bought) bedside table/ drawers.
On a whim I decided to use a shake paint can , the top was removed and taken into the workshop.
The spray was very weak even though it worked after a fashion, I did the edges with the underside upper most and left to dry. 20 minutes later, I turned the now dry top over and attempted to apply the spray, nothing.
Bu££er the nozzle must be clogged already, I thought. I then looked at the copious information on the can to see what solvent it might be.
First instruction told me to remove a plastic widget that was fitted to stop the spray in transit :eusa-doh:
The thing worked great from then on :eusa-dance:
First attempt in my life to use spray paint on wood.

 

[HOJ]

I then looked at the copious information on the can

Apparently its a man thing, I regularly get told to RTFM!

 

[Lurker]

Well it didn’t work
The finish is perfectly smooth and hard compared to the water based paint that I was planning to roller on .
The problem was despite many coats it was still a bit opaque and all the underlying marks showed through

I think the original finish was commercially sprayed but the knots in the wood were not properly sealed.
This is why I was refinishing it as the resin had bled through with brown stains, I knocked back the discoloured white paint to bare wood in places, but I thought that the high gloss of my rattle can would seal it adequately, big mistake!!

You live and learn!!

 

[Lurker]

I then looked at the copious information on the can

Apparently its a man thing, I regularly get told to RTFM!

The irony of that is, in a previous life I used to write instruction manuals

 

[Eric the Viking]

The irony of that is, in a previous life I used to write instruction manuals

Ditto, in fact that's how I got started in the commercial world.

I got so fed up with doing the disclaimers, copyright notices, etc., that I once put, "So there." at the end of a page of the stuff. I meant to take it out after the actual content was signed-off, (thus proving nobody ever checks it) but the client did spot it, and actually liked it, so it became a thing.

I still do it, sometimes, 30+ years on.

I think jokes in training manuals should be obligatory - if they're expected (and not misinterpretable!) they do make people read, if only to find them. And I pity the poor souls who have to do the "manuals" for something like own-brand hot-melt glue guns, explaining about all the protective clothing and hearing defenders required...

On which note, those of us who 'relocated' from "t'other place" may remember about ten years ago, we had a great works outing to Axminster Tools. I think Rob organised it. They did us proud that day - what a great bunch!

I was particularly impressed that the service and technical support team (in Devon, NOT China!) are responsible for writing the manuals for their products. It shows, in a good way!

 

[sunnybob]

Spray can paint needs primer just like ordinary paint. You can buy a "bulkier" primer to cover rough areas.
A tip for future reference; if you are not using the whole can, after finishing spraying, point the can at a waste surface, turn the can upside down, and press the button for a second or two until the gas becomes clear. This cleans out the internal tube of paint that will dry and clog the nozzle.