Problems With a Spray Stain Finish for Cabinet Doors
Discover common problems with a spray stain finish and how to achieve flawless finished cabinet doors with expert tips and an alternative approach.
Spray stains can seem like a good option for finished cabinet doors, but they come with problems. If you’re not careful, spray stains can lead to bad results, upset customers, and expensive do-overs. These issues can hurt your reputation as a contractor or cabinet maker and cost you time and money.
At Cutting Edge, we have over 20 years of experience working with spray stains. We’ve seen firsthand how tricky these finishes can be and have learned how to avoid the common mistakes many people make. In this article, we’ll help you understand the problems with spray stains and what you can do to prevent them from ruining your projects.
Here’s what you’ll find in this article:
- The three most common problems with spray stain finishes, including what causes and how to avoid each problem
- An alternative to spray stain finishes
Three Problems with Spray Stain Finishes
While spray stains can deliver a smooth, professional look, they have several challenges that can be tricky to manage. Understanding these issues upfront can help you avoid mistakes that could cost you time and money. Let’s look at the three common problems with using spray stain finishes for cabinet doors. These problems are:
1. A Shadow Line Along the Inside Profile
One of the biggest problems with spray stains is getting an even finish on cabinet doors with deep or steep inside profiles. The spray can’t always reach into every corner, leaving patches of wood with little stain. These less-finished areas look lighter than the rest of the cabinet door, creating a shadow effect.
What Causes a Shadow Line?
The usual cause of this issue is the spray angle. When working with deep profiles or sharp corners, the sprayer doesn’t always hit the surface at the right angle, leaving some areas with less stain. Especially on steep profiles, the air pressure can cause the stain to bounce off the profile and reflect towards the centre of the panel.
How To Avoid Shadow Lines With a Spray Stain
To avoid this, try adjusting the spraying angle and make multiple passes over the surface. Another option is to use a finer spray nozzle or lower the air pressure to help control the application better. You can also manually apply touch-ups if you notice a shadow line after spraying the stain.
And finally, choose shallow, angled profiles whenever possible. Avoid deep, steep profiles as these worsen the shadow effect.
2. Inconsistent Colouring Across an Order
Spray stains require a lot of practice to apply evenly, and it takes real skill to get a consistent finish on every door. If you’re inexperienced with spray equipment, you might find streaks, blotches or colour variations in the finished doors. These inconsistencies are very frustrating if you’re working on a large project with multiple cabinet doors, as it’s hard to match them all perfectly.
What Causes Colour Inconsistencies Across an Order?
The bottom line is that applying spray stains is tricky. Your finisher needs a steady hand and complete control over the sprayer. Even the temperature and humidity in your workspace can affect how the stain dries. If the air is too humid or hot, the stain might dry too quickly or slowly, leading to inconsistent results.
How To Avoid Inconsistent Colour With a Spray Stain
To avoid this, spend time practicing with the spray equipment. Try different settings and techniques on test pieces before starting a big project. Also, spray the cabinet doors in a controlled environment with stable temperature and humidity. This helps the stain dry evenly and gives you more control over the finish.
3. Inconsistent Colouring Across One Door
Inconsistent colouring across a single cabinet door happens when a spray stain creates stripes or uneven colours on the surface. These stripes make the finish look patchy. It’s especially noticeable because there are light and dark stripes. Less stain coverage causes light stripes, while too much stain causes dark stripes.
What Causes Inconsistent Colouring Across One Door?
An uneven or inconsistent spraying pattern causes colour inconsistency. If you spray too much or too little stain in different areas, you will get an uneven finish. Gaps and overlaps in your spray pattern create stripes. Also, if you don’t keep the spray gun the same distance from the surface, it can make the problem worse.
How to Avoid Inconsistent Colouring
To avoid this issue, practice keeping the spray gun steady. Always hold it the same distance from the surface and avoid moving it up or down at the ends of the door. Use smooth, even strokes to apply the stain. This will help you avoid gaps and overlaps, giving the surface a smooth, even finish and consistent colouring.
Wiping Stain: An Alternative to Spray Stain Finishes
Wiping stains may be a better option if you’re concerned about the problems with spray stains. Finishers apply wiping stains by hand, giving them more control over the process. First, they rub the stain onto the surface and then wipe the excess off with a cloth. This simple two-step process makes it much easier to get a consistent finish, even on cabinet doors with deep or detailed profiles.
Benefits of Wiping Stains
Wiping stains have two advantages that can make them a better option for cabinet makers or contractors like you.
- Consistent Finish. Wiping stains are easier to apply evenly because you directly control where the stain goes.
- Less Skill Required. Unlike spray stains, wiping stains don’t require the same technical skill, making them a good option for beginners.
Learn How Wiping Stains Compare to Spray Stain Finishes
You now know the common problems with spray stain finishes and how they can affect your cabinet door projects. Issues like uneven coverage, the need for practice and skill, and the risk of overspray can lead to costly mistakes and unhappy customers.
By understanding these challenges and using proper techniques, you can reduce the chances of these problems happening. But if you want a more reliable option, consider wiping stains instead. They offer more control and fewer issues, helping you deliver high-quality results every time. Your next step is to learn how wiping stains compare to spray stain finishes and see which works best for your next project.
