Spray Finishing Made Simple: A Book and Step-by-Step Companion DVD (Made Simple (Taunton Press))

4 1/2 stars almost perfect.I bought this book for my brother so I had to look at it. Generally excellent and I got a good tip to spray vertical surfaces from the top not the bottom. Works much better as you can blend in any drips or runs as you spray. I had always been taught to spray bottom up. I didn't look at the DVD but my brother liked it a lot.Why not 5 stars? A couple minor picky nits. Water may be a thinner for waterborne or not! Waterbornes are complex emulsions like oil and vinegar dressing. Adding too much water may have two adverse effects; first it can cause the emulsion to separate, second it isn't a thinner for the finish carried by the water. In the later case as the water evaporates the droplets of finish that it carries may not mix correctly to make a finish. In either case you are out a can of very expensive finish and possibly have a nasty cleanup ahead of you. Another nit is that he gives shellac rather short shrift and as a result gives confusing instructions. He seems to assume that everyone will pretty much use Zinster premixed when most folks mix their own. Not horrid but misleading and a bit incomplete.This is not a definitive work on all spray finishes; but it does a excellent job of covering all those likely to be encountered in wood working.Overall, while it will not teach the experienced finisher much it is a great book for the occasional or beginner sprayer and a nice reference for unfamiliar finishes.

I am new to spray finishing and found this book to be an excellent resource for getting started without a lot of frustration. The author is a professional and gives great advice, don't worry that this is an entry-level-only kind of book, it does not dumb things down too much, and is still easily understood. He covers every common question you would have and addresses troubleshooting at the end.Surprisingly, I actually found the video to be really useful. Usually videos with these kinds of things are marginally helpful at best, this one included some stuff you really want to see if you are trying to learn: clear footage that visibly shows a spray pattern as he adjusts the gun, good vs. bad spray movement technique etc. More than anything else, the video showed his demeanor and how casual he is about a lot of things I was overly worried about, and how he takes some stuff I hadn't thought of very seriously. I won't be so worried about cleaning certain parts of the gun, and will be more careful about how I hold it over the work, for example.Finally, this guy is a finishing guru in the woodworking community, yet he is spraying in a very simply arranged area in what is presumably his personal shop. You could set up his finishing area for literally a couple hundred bucks. No special lighting, no massive filtration systems. Just a swivel table, a decent fan and some tarps hung off the ceiling. When you see it you'll realize that you can do pro-grade work with a lot less than people would have you believe.

This DVD and book rank way up on the list of my many books on finishing.Personally, I wouldn't consider it a reference for finishing. However, an excellent source for those who have simply never sprayed before or who like me, don't spray the same material day to day and need a quick refresher course from time to time.The book and the DVD go into just enough detail on gun types and spray systems(turbine/compressor), how to thin and spray, as well as the general N/N (needle/nozzle) setups for each of the 5 likely products a woodworker would run into; solvent, waterborne, dyes, stains and enamels (paint).The book goes into how to set up and construct a temporary spray booth for both solvent and waterborne.Clean up, safety and environmental concerns are not an over thought but shown in a responsible yet reasonable manner.The DVD is well thought out and scripted with decent sound, NOT too dull, matching the book in content and shows the basic techniques for spraying. I did think the author could have mentioned one problem that I had...matching your fluid delivery with the speed in which you spray. Though I guess Jeff demonstrates proper speed in the DVD by example.It should be noted that conventional spray guns and pots, as well as exploiting the benefits of different solvents are not covered. Both are advanced topics that the amateur probably doesn't run into anyhow.To be totally critical I do have an issue with the title. As most "made easy" books fall into two categories "Made easy if you have a ton of money/skill etc" or "Made easy if you really don't care your project looks like crap." This book doesn't fall into either category.Overall great buy, highly recommended.

I bought this book to better learn how to spray the wood finishes I use (zinsser sealcoat (dewaxed shellac), crystalac super premium and createx wicked colors). The book is very clearly written, in good order and with lots of helpful charts for the various finishes and things like needle/nozzle combinations. It also covers the basics for most finishes a typical woodworker would use. There are plent of clear, color photos to compliment the text.The dvd is equally excellent. It's worded to the point where complete novices will be able to walk away with a good understanding of where to spray, how to spray, what the different types of spray guns are which spraying system to use, etc. The video is masterfully shot and you can clearly see what's going on every second of the video and the sound is perfect.At the price it is, this book and dvd set is a total bargain and worth every penny. I've watched the dvd 10 times or more and will probably watch it another 20. There's just that much information in it.Also note that Jeff Jewitt sells a line of spray equipment (QualSpray) and the quality is excellent, and Jeff is a great guy to talk to as well. Just call him up with your needs and he'll steer you in the right direction. I bought a QS-125WB with an extra bigger cup and you can really tell the difference between the QualSpray and the cheap HF or other china guns.Buy with confidence!

Just read this and watched the accompanying DVD. As a complete newbie to spray painting furntiure I found this a good introduction to the equipment, techniques and practicalities of spraying. Any US jargon was easily translatable to UK English terms. Written in a concise, accessible manner I'd recommend this to any fellow newbie.

Another first class book from Taunton Press.

Ok informative

Very helpful, would recommend.

This book is terrific. I've been trying to learn spray finishing for furniture that I build. I've been buying gear and screwing around with not great results. I could have saved a lot of time and money if I'd had this book a couple of years ago.I've been through a cheap HVLP turbine rig, three compressor driven HVLP guns and now finally a good turbine with a compressor on-board to power a pressure pot. But how to clean them, what primers to use, what top coats, what waterborne finishes etc.Its all in here. Equipment, technique and materials. The video is well done and as good as the book. Well worth the price.