Avoiding Spray "Shadow" in Profiles

Question
When applying stain to a cabinet door by spraying, the stain often will not be applied at the edges of the wood on-lay, leaving a shadow. How can this be avoided?

Forum Responses
(Finishing Forum)
From contributor J:
If you are referring to light or no stain in the recessed areas of the profile, the best ways to combat this that I have found are:

1. Spray with the lowest air pressure possible to minimize the blow back effect.

2. Thin the stain out so you are getting the final color in multiple passes or coats, the stronger the color is, the worse the shadows will be.

3. Spray from different directions, angling your gun slightly towards the profile on the first pass and then in the opposite direction on the return pass.

4. Make a fill glaze.

Sometimes the shadows and light areas just cannot be avoided and the way to deal with it may be to make a glaze that is the same color as the stain. Apply after sealing with a brush into the profiles in the same manner as a highlight glaze, only the goal here is to "fill in" color instead of it being a darker, highlight color.

I try and mix a dye stain after spraying where I reached the color intensity I was looking for. Air pressure is important just as contributor J pointed out. I understand that one of the big manufacturers makes a gun that’s pretty much designed for applying a dye stain but I have no personal knowledge or experience with said product. Something else that goes along with mastering the shadow is practice and patience.

Would you like to add information to this article?
Interested in writing or submitting an article?
Have a question about this article?

Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below?

KnowledgeBase: Knowledge Base

KnowledgeBase: Finishing

KnowledgeBase: Finishing: General Wood Finishing



Would you like to add information to this article? ... Click Here

If you have a question regarding a Knowledge Base article, your best chance at uncovering an answer is to search the entire Knowledge Base for related articles or to post your question at the appropriate WOODWEB Forum. Before posting your message, be sure to review our Forum Guidelines.

Questions entered in the Knowledge Base Article comment form will not generate responses! A list of WOODWEB Forums can be found at WOODWEB's Site Map.

When you post your question at the Forum, be sure to include references to the Knowledge Base article that inspired your question. The more information you provide with your question, the better your chances are of receiving responses.

Return to beginning of article.

Refer a Friend || Read This Important Information || Site Map || Privacy Policy || Site User Agreement Letters, questions or comments? E-Mail us and let us know what you think. Be sure to review our Frequently Asked Questions page. Contact us to discuss advertising or to report problems with this site. To report a problem, send an e-mail to our Webmaster Copyright © 1996-2012 - WOODWEB ® Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission of the Editor. Review WOODWEB's Copyright Policy. The editors, writers, and staff at WOODWEB try to promote safe practices. What is safe for one woodworker under certain conditions may not be safe for others in different circumstances. Readers should undertake the use of materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB, Inc. 335 Bedell Road Montrose, PA 18801 Contact WOODWEB