Thread: How to minimize dust & floating fibre particles settling/hitting the paint

Not easy to completely eliminate dust without constructing a dust free environment such as a spray booth for instance. If the dust is fine, you may be able to polish it out of the finished project.

Hi Shifty,

No real easy way but here is a couple of ideas to think about...

Use a rapid set enamel/lacquer when you are spraying...dust dry in about 15 minutes

Clean up where you are going to spray/store the work for drying the day before so any dust will have time to settle. I spray outside then bring it in to dry. This is OK if the panels are small enough to move and can be supported. I use long screws, dowels and nails to support the parts. (put it into pre drilled holes in out-of-the-way places or holes already drilled for post painting assembly)

If you can mount your work vertically less dust will settle into it but it is harder to avoid sags and runs

I would actually be surprised that dust is getting into your work in some patchy fashion.... it normally settles evenly over the whole job unless it is larger chips of dust or insects. The most probable cause of patchiness is the paint going on a little dry in places. It is really important to keep a wet front as you work your way across the surface while spraying. Generally you would have the most trouble when overcoating with the second coat etc. Try getting down almost parallel with the surface and look across it to make sure it is even glossiness as you are spraying. A bright light may help if you have tired eyes like mine!

What is it that is getting in your finish?... dust, dirt or bits of paint off the nozzle of your sprayer...take the time to keep the nozzle clean every now and then otherwise little flecks of dried up paint will get blown into your work

I agree with munruben, you should be able to cut a little bit of it out after it is all dry.

Anyway, it sounds like you are making good progress

All the best
Chipman

Thanks both of you for the input. Definitely sounds like a plan to me. I will experiment as soon as I get home from work and give you results 2moz hopefully...


Cheers.