How to Spray Polyurethane With Wagner & Airless Sprayer?

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Painting with polyurethane on a sealed or painted surface is always challenging. One mistake in an application can spoil the look or even ruin the entire project. 

Although rollers and brushes are great for applying polyurethane, sprayers can be more efficient.

For that, experts recommend Wagner & airless sprayers for applying complex things such as polyurethane. 

Almost anything can be enhanced with an airless sprayer with a beautiful finish coat. This sprayer provides the highest production that will help you save your money.

However, as polyurethane is a liquid plastic, you may find it challenging to apply to your project. For your help, we will let you know a step-by-step guideline on how to spray polyurethane with Wagner & airless sprayer through this context.

Why Do You Need The Airless Sprayer To Spray Polyurethane?

how to spray polyurethane

Using a traditional brush or roller to apply polyurethane to your painting area can cause scratches and stains. Besides, some paint sprayer is unable to apply this plastic liquid to the surface. 

In that case, using an airless sprayer, you can spray polyurethane on your desired surface. It helps to achieve a fine finish on the painted surface.

Compared to brushes, coating polyurethane with an airless sprayer requires less time to dry. So, there is little chance of dust particles falling on your finished piece. Additionally, having the best paint sprayer for polyurethane allows you to control the thickness of the coats. While brushes can turn out messy and leave bubbles on the surface, an airless sprayer gives you quality and finishes coating in less time.

How to Spray Polyurethane With Wagner & Airless Sprayer

airless sprayer to spray polyurethane

Spraying polyurethane on wooden or other surfaces will be easy with the Wagner & airless sprayer. We have demonstrated complete instructions on spraying polyurethane. So, check out the steps discussed below:

Step 1: Set Up The Work Area

First, you need to organize your workplace. So, before starting the painting process, make sure the working area is neat and clean. 

A clean environment will help you make your painting work successful without creating any mess. Besides, arrange all the required things nearer but not so adjacent.

Step 2: Preparing The Painting Surface

Before spraying the polyurethane, sanding the surface is another important step. At this stage, you have to make the surface clean and dirt free. If there are any bugs or dirt on the surface, you will not get the perfect finish. So, it is better to clean the surface area with a neat cloth before applying the coat.

Step 3: Mix Thinner To The Polyurethane

Spraying the right amount of polyurethane is the key to gaining a finished project. As polyurethanes need thicker coats, you will need to take the help of thinner. 

In that case, you can also spray the paint without thinner to check the finish. Based on the finish, add some thinner to the polyurethane. 
However, if you find your desired coat without mixing thinner, you should apply coat polyurethane without mixing thinner.

Step 4: Setting Up The Sprayer

To make a finish coat on your surface with polyurethane, you need a quality sprayer with an adjustable knob. 

The knob will enable you to control the amount of paint flow through the paint nozzle. 
Besides, you will also find some paint sprayer that comes with different spray nozzles. So, first, adjust the amount of paint coming through the tips to apply your desired coat. It is not difficult to determine the best paint for interior of your home.

Step 5: Start Spraying

After properly adding the thinner to polyurethane and adjusting the knob, start spraying on your painting surface. 

While spraying, maintain a minimal distance between your hand and the sprayer. And spray polyurethane either parallel or vertical, and ensure all the surfaces spray properly. 
Take a short break before applying the next round of coats. However, spraying several thin coats will give you the thicker coat that you want.

Step 6: Drying and Cleaning

After properly spraying polyurethanes, let the area dry for some time. Wash the surface with water when it is dry. 

Remember, if you use oil-based polyurethanes, the painting area may require a lot of time to dry. So, it is good to check whether the painting area is dry or not before cleaning. 
In addition, with Wagner and an airless sprayer, it is possible to coat lighter that will dry faster.

Tips To Spray Polyurethane With Wagner & Airless Sprayer

wagner & airless sprayer

Spraying polyurethane with Wagner & airless sprayer will be effortless if you handle it properly. For your help, here we have pointed out some effective tips for ensuring a finished coat.

  • Avoid spraying polyurethane on vertical surfaces because this will not ensure a smooth finish.
  • If you apply several coats of polyurethane, don’t spray the next coat until the previous coat is dry properly.
  • In case you find any spots on the surface, remove them gently using a sharp razor.
  • Make sure your working area has adequate light, so you don’t miss any area and avoid over-spraying on the surface.
  • To get the smooth finish, mix the right amount of thinner with the polyurethane.
  • Prepare all the safety kits and cleaning tools before you start spraying polyurethane.
  • While spraying the polyurethane, you should look at the surface at different angles to get a perfect finish.
  • Wear safety gloves and customs while dealing with a sprayer, and also make sure you have the proper mask.

Is An Airless Sprayer Compatible With Both Water-Based Polyurethane And Oil-Based Polyurethane?

There is no doubt that both water and oil-based polyurethane can be used with an airless sprayer. In general, water-based polyurethane makes less toxic and volatile organic compounds than oil-based polyurethane. 

Also, oil-based polyurethanes are more durable than water-based polyurethane. Even after this, both of these polyurethanes can be sprayed through an airless sprayer.

Remember, oil-based polyurethanes enhance the color of sprayed dark wood, while water-based polyurethanes are best for light wood. 

However, water-based polyurethanes can take up to two hours to dry completely. But oil-based polyurethane will take you five to twelve hours to dry properly. Behr paints is the best solution for finding a good oil-based paint.

How Much Thinning Should I Use When Spraying Polyurethane?

Everyone wants a nice finish on a project while working spraying polyurethanes. Sometimes, you may find your desired coating finish without adding thinner. But if you find you need to add thinner, you have to add the right amount.

Otherwise, you will not get your desired finish despite applying several coats. Usually, polyurethanes need to be added at least 10 % thinner before spraying. In some cases, you may have to mix more thinner with polyurethane to get a thin sufficient polyurethane for spray applications.

At What Pressure Do You Spray Polyurethane?

Polyurethane requires spraying at a pressure of 28 PSI. Typically, spray pressure needs to be set between 26 and 29 PSI when applying clear coats like polyurethane. With this pressure, the polyurethane will be atomized on the surface properly. 

However, if the pressure is set lower than 25 PSI, the polyurethane will not be expelled smoothly through the nozzle. This is because the polyurethane is thick enough, requiring more pressure to expel and apply to the surface.

Conclusion

In summary, you can easily spray polyurethane through an airless sprayer, whether the polyurethane is oil-based or water-based. 

Following the simple steps explained above, applying polyurethane to your desired surfaces will be effortless. Just you will need to have a Wagner & airless sprayer and the right type of polyurethane.
However, before spraying, make sure your workplace is well ventilated and has enough light to see the spraying activities. You have to also check the pressure gauge of your sprayer to get a clear finish.

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