Spraying LuxeLacquer might seem intimidating at first, but with the right tools and techniques, you can achieve a smooth, glass-like finish—whether you're using a $29 spray gun or a professional sprayer.
In this week’s Finish Friday, Lyonella Cook of Sandpaper and Wax Design shares how to master the art of spraying LuxeLacquer from her warehouse studio. From surface prep to cleanup, you’ll learn everything you need to know to get started with confidence.
Why Spray LuxeLacquer?
LuxeLacquer is a high-gloss, oil-based enamel that delivers a sleek, professional finish perfect for furniture, cabinetry, doors, and more. While brushing or rolling works beautifully, spraying can take your results to the next level—with fewer brush marks and more consistent coverage.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned refinisher, this tutorial will walk you through how to get great results using two types of spray guns:
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A $29 Homeright Finish Max sprayer – great for beginners or occasional projects
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A professional Apollo HVLP sprayer – ideal for long-term use and high-sheen finishes
What You’ll Need
To successfully spray LuxeLacquer, gather these supplies:
Main Products:
- Clean Slate
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Mineral Spirits
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Optional: Penetrol (a paint conditioner to improve flow)
Tools:
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A spray gun (budget-friendly or professional)
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Viscosity cup (often comes with spray gun)
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Stir sticks
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Paint filters
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Buckets for mixing and flushing
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Lint-free rags and junk rags
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Sandpaper (220 grit for primer, 400 for topcoat)
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Tack cloths
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NIOSH-rated respirator mask
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Gloves
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Goggles
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Vacuum or shop vac
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Humidity and temperature monitor (ideal humidity: 40%, temp: 70°F)
Step 1: Prep Your Space and Surface
Proper prep is essential for a flawless lacquered finish.
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Clean your piece thoroughly with Clean Slate or mineral spirits.
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Sand your surface smooth using 220 grit sandpaper.
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Vacuum all dust.
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Wipe down with a tack cloth, then again with mineral spirits.
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Ensure your workspace is clean, well-ventilated, and free from dust or debris.
Step 2: Thin and Filter the Primer
LuxeLacquer primer is thick by design—it builds a flawless base.
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Thin with mineral spirits: Start with 20–30% depending on your spray gun.
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Stir thoroughly for at least 3 minutes.
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Filter your paint through a fine mesh or cone filter before loading your gun.
✅ For lighter colors, avoid Penetrol in primer as it may slightly yellow your color.
Step 3: Load and Spray the Primer
If using the $29 Homeright sprayer:
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Set to the default spray pattern.
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Test on scrap wood to ensure even coverage.
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Use long, continuous passes with a 50% overlap.
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Spray two light coats for best results.
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Allow each coat to dry at least 24 hours.
If using a professional HVLP sprayer:
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Adjust PSI and tip size as needed.
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You’ll get higher sheen and more control—perfect for advanced users.
Step 4: Sand Between Coats
After your primer is fully dry:
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Sand with 220 grit sandpaper.
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Vacuum the dust.
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Wipe with a tack cloth.
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Wipe again with mineral spirits.
This process is essential to achieving that “glass-like” finish LuxeLacquer is known for.
Step 5: Mix and Spray LuxeLacquer Top Coat
LuxeLacquer comes in gorgeous high-pigment colors like Sunflower Story and Black Perfection.
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Stir the paint well.
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Use a viscosity cup to measure flow time (target: ~45 seconds).
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Thin your paint with 20% mineral spirits (avoid Penetrol for whites/yellows).
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Filter before loading your gun.
Spray in long, even passes. Don’t hover too long in one area—this will cause drips and runs. Let the paint self-level and dry fully between coats.
Dealing with Drips or Orange Peel
Don’t worry! LuxeLacquer is surprisingly forgiving.
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If you get a drip or orange peel effect, let it dry completely.
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Then sand smooth and reapply thin, even coats.
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Buff with a car polish at the end if your sheen has dulled.
Final Tips for Spraying Success
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Work in thin coats—more light passes are better than one heavy one.
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Maintain your spray gun: clean it immediately after each use.
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Don’t leave paint in the gun. Flush it with mineral spirits between color changes or after every session.
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Practice on test boards to get comfortable with your equipment.
Ready to Spray?
Whether you're starting with a $29 sprayer or upgrading to a pro-level HVLP system, LuxeLacquer is a stunning, durable finish that makes a statement. Follow these steps, give yourself grace, and enjoy the process!
