Hello all. I just switched to SW’s kem aqua plus white and the stuff is so watery it’s very hard to spray on a vertical surface, even the edges of shelves want to sag. I am using an airless to apply, but I switch to the low pressure fine finish tips so you can back the pressure way down and not as much product comes out( I call it a poor mans air assisted airless). The kem aqua surfacer sprayed great with no runs or sags. I did use 2% retarder to fight the micro foam bubbles, so that may play a part in the runs, but I couldn’t get it to flow out with a light coat no matter how hard I tried. That lead to adding alittle more and then the runs started. Any thoughts or tips would be appreciated. I normally spray oil based paint and it’s much more forgiving. Thanks

I've been spraying both the clear and the pigmented as my go to WB finish the last couple of years (over 200 gal. in that time). I fought it at first but I've got a handle on it now and have been getting very good results and like using it. It is thin so I use low pressure delivery systems when spraying it (I must admit to never even considered using a airless or AAA to spray it due to it's thin viscosity and fear of micro bubbles). For the pigmented I've settled on a 1.2 or 1.3 nozzle for pressure feed (diaphragm pump) or a 1.8 or 2.0 for a gravity gun. For the clear, I'm liking a 1.1or 1.3 when using a pressure feed set-up (stainless steel pot) or 1.4 for a gravity gun. I don't remember the last time I had a run.

the pigmented is indeed very thin. i am using a kremlin AAA, and it does take a little technique on vertical surfaces. bubbles can be an issue, but i've gotten lucky with that.

with the clear, i have zero issues with the AAA and bubbles. the last 8 gallons or so over the past few weeks have sprayed absolutely beautifully.

nick you are using a standard HVLP for the pigmented? maybe i'll try that next time to avoid the bubbles.

I'm a spray gun fiend so...Sata 1000K RP for pressure feed (best spray gun I've ever used) and either a Sata 2000B RP or Devilbiss Compact trans tech for a gravity gun.

We switched to waterborne, primarily Kemaqua, almost two years ago for insurance reasons. We also initially tried to use our airless that we had used for solvent finishes but finally gave up because of the same problems you mention. I bit the bullet and got a CATech AAA rig and it made all the difference in the world. We use a 409 and a 411 tip.
There has definitely been a learning curve but we are finally getting pretty consistent results.

Any problems with the Kem Aqua Plus primer? Someone on Woodweb said he had some chipping on beaded face frame when using the primer. He posted about a year ago.

After a 1/2 day spent spraying 30+ drawer boxes I have to admit a AAA pump does outperform the pot/gun when using WB's in tight spots with right angles....much less bounce back & overspray = a smoother finish. Binks mx 412 pump,Graco G-15 with a 510 fine finish tip, approx 500 psi fluid, 18-20 psi air.

Nick,
I read some old posts and you mention that you use bin with the Kem Aqua Plus. I use bin all the time but
have not used the Kem Aqua Plus yet. Does the overall mill thickness which they say should not be more than
4 mill include the bin or just their product?
Thank you,
Al

I've used Bin as a primer with very good results. Thought I would try the primer (its called a "srufacer") fantastic results. Sands easily to a talc like powder. I'm a hobbyist and use the Fuji Semi Pro (HVLP) system with very good results.