For the Clearshield, use it straight out of the bottle. Spray so each application looks wet right after it goes on. If the surface looks kind of textured-satiny, you probably need to open the valve a bit or move the gun a little slower.
Note that after the first thirsty coat you need to apply thinner coats since the canvas won't be absorbing paint.
If you are spraying vertical, don't spray so much that you get sags. And if vertical, note that the canvas will absorb paint a lot faster than the backing or any tape you might be using to hold the prints. Be careful of runs off the tape, clips, etc. Since I always spray with the prints almost vertical, if the edge of the support tape is near the image area I sometimes pre-paint the tape with a 1" brush to increase it's ability to hold onto paint.
The basic skills for spraying are to keep a consistent distance (8 inches MAX, about 200mm) and even harder, to keep a constant speed. I used to time how fast I was spraying with a metronome, 1 click per foot at 60-per. Of course now I'm way too cool to do that. However, I still make 4" (100mm) marks above and below the prints to make sure I advance evenly across the print. Yes you can also watch the famous "wet edge" but that is somewhat too subjective IMHO. On alternate coats I interpolate between the marks. I only spray up and down, the marks help me keep it even.
Newbies ALWAYS pull the gun away from canvas during the stroke. Either have somebody watch or shoot videos (from the side) of what you're actually doing, it will help a lot getting that distance nailed down.
I was way too timid with the HVLP at first. Open the air up all the way, and crank out the needle at least 1+ turn. Use speed to control the amount of paint, and remember, it should look wet but not satin-like, and not be running. And he who hesitates mid-stroke will surely get paint runs. Watch how much paint you are using, I like about 10 to 15 ml per square foot on the first coat (which is pretty Red Line), and about 7 to 10 on subsequent coats. And always spray a test pattern on some dark material before attacking the canvas, you may need to nudge the nozzle a bit (by rocking the pattern ring back and forth) to get a really even, elliptical pattern. And wipe the nozzle with a small brush right after each use, being careful not to get paint into the air holes.
Let's see, and when you pour the paint into the can be sure it isn't going "glug glug glug" which will impart air into the paint which can sometimes cause hiccups.
And if you get some crud in the paint, wait until it is dry to remove it, but always remove all the crud from each pass before going on to the next. On the last coat surgical dust-removal scars can be repaired with a fine brush and a dab of coating.
And wear a dust mask, seriously. You'll regret after a few days if you don't, just like I did. 3M #8511 masks cost $2 at Lowes and are my favorite for non-solvent spraying.
That's about 1/5 of what you need to know. For the rest, consult the school of hard knocks.
edit...or preferably enroll in Dan's workshop. Hi Dan!
