Hot take: that conversation with the old finish guy changed how I see pre-cat lacquer

Ran into a retired cabinetmaker at the lumber yard last Wednesday. He watched me grab a can of pre-cat and just laughed. Said I was wasting my time if I didn't let it sit for 20 minutes after stirring. I always just shook it and sprayed. Tried his way on a maple shaker door I was doing and the orange peel was way less. Made me wonder what else I've been skipping that matters. Anyone else get a random tip from an old timer that actually stuck?

3 comments

3 Comments

hannah32010d ago

Swear by that trick now too, @christopherw34 was right about the bubbles settling out. Had a painter tell me once if you don't let it breathe, you're just fighting yourself the whole way.

lewis.mila10d ago

Wait, you mean you've been spraying pre-cat straight out the can this whole time? That's wild, I've never even heard of letting it sit like that.

christopherw3410d ago

Just let the pre-cat sit for 15 minutes after shaking it. It lets the bubbles settle and the catalyst activate right. Trust me, your finish will lay down way flatter with almost no orange peel.