Dipping Lacquer
A little basic info on the dipping method for lacquer application. December 30, 2005
Question
Is it possible to dip lacquer in big dip tanks? We've had no luck whatsoever with spray finishing. The only good result so far has been by hand finishing, but that's too labor intensive for a low end retail priced product. In the past we used to dip our stain only finishes, but now we want the wood to be sealed.
Forum Responses
(Finishing Forum)
From contributor A:
Dipping lacquers have been around for ever. The problem may come with the type of product you are dipping. You have to have good runoff spots. As for spraying, what are your concerns? Lacquer sprays fairly easily.
From contributor B:
The items must fit into the dip tank, and then are raised above the tank, and allowed to drip until they can be removed, and then other pieces placed on the hangers for dipping.
Contact a coating company, and they will make up the proper viscosity for the dipping coating.
From contributor C:
Provided the items are not complex in shape, reasonable film builds can be achieved by dipping. The secret is to withdraw the item from the fluid at the same rate that the fluid runs off the item. If you take it out too fast, surface sags and runs form. Pencils and fishing floats are painted in this way. The multi-colored sections of the float are done by dipping the whole float in the color at the top, dipping not so far into the color next down, etc. until the dark olive or brown color at the bottom is the last color dipped.
From contributor B:
You should consider getting some type of heating system once the pieces are raised out of the dipping tank. This will speed up your production.
