Topcoat is engineered for high-volume spray application on furniture production lines. This guide covers everything you need to set up your line correctly — from dilution ratios and spray-gun settings to recoat windows and common defects. Follow these steps to achieve consistent, repeatable results from the first run.
Surface preparation
Ensure all surfaces are clean, dry, and sanded to the correct grit. For raw wood, use 180-grit as a minimum. Remove all dust with a tack cloth or compressed air before application. Any contamination at this stage will show through the finish.
If using Color Oil as a base coat, ensure it has fully cured — minimum 4 hours at 25°C — before applying Topcoat.
Dilution and viscosity
For spray application, dilute Topcoat with clean water to achieve a viscosity of 18–22 seconds measured with a DIN 4 cup at 20°C. In hot conditions (above 32°C), add up to 5% additional water to prevent dry spray. Never exceed 15% total dilution.
Do not use solvent-based thinners. Topcoat is water-based — solvent contamination will cause irreversible coagulation.
Spray gun setup
Use a gravity-feed HVLP spray gun with a 1.3–1.5mm nozzle. Set air pressure to 2.0–2.5 bar at the gun. Fan width should be adjusted to cover 200–250mm per pass. Keep the gun perpendicular to the surface at a distance of 20–25cm.
Test spray pattern on a scrap board before starting production. Look for an even, elliptical fan with no heavy centre or dry edges.
First coat application
Apply a thin, even first coat using overlapping passes of 50%. Maintain consistent gun speed — approximately 60cm per second. The first coat should appear slightly transparent when wet. Coverage rate is approximately 8–10m² per litre at the recommended film thickness.
Recoat window
At 25°C and 60% relative humidity, Topcoat is ready for recoat after 45–60 minutes. In high humidity (above 80%) or cold conditions (below 18°C), extend the recoat window to 90 minutes. Touch dry time is approximately 20–30 minutes.
Applying a second coat before the first is fully dry will cause lifting, wrinkling, or loss of adhesion. When in doubt, wait longer.
Second coat and final finish
Lightly sand between coats with 320-grit if required to remove dust nibs. Apply the second coat using the same technique as the first. Full cure is achieved after 24 hours at 25°C. The finished surface can be handled after 2 hours but should not be stacked for at least 8 hours.
For a smoother final finish, buff lightly with a 0000 steel wool pad after the final coat has fully cured.
Video walkthrough
Video coming soon
