Spray can gesso

[_ESpy_]

I've only just learned that some companies offer gesso in a spray can.

This seems a lot less faff than breaking out the full-size spray gun (and finding the nozzle's too fine even for thinned gesso, perhaps) - but has anyone here actually used the stuff? Is it only for smooth substrates, or will it fill in a canvas weave, for example?

 

[RK Ink and Focus]

I have not used spray can gesso but I do use gesso. I layer it up with a bristle brush, if I want it smooth i scrape or rub it back. It is not loo much hassle.

 

[Fran Rioja]

The last time I smoothed a canvas with gesso I gave it a few coats with a thick brush, smoothing it as much as possible between coats with sandpaper, and to finish it off, I gave it a couple of coats with very diluted gesso and a Chinese trigger airbrush with a 0.8 nozzle. The truth is that it turned out really well.

 

[_ESpy_]

I've used brushes, rollers and putty knives (haven't yet used my flexi plaster trowel, but it's on the to do list). Of all, the putty knives (with dubbed corners) have given me the smoothest surface which needed the least sanding. With a framed canvas I've had a lot less success sanding due to the flex in the canvas (even tensioned), so getting brush strokes out of them is - for me - a bit of a nightmare. And canvas boards just warp.

I think this stuff might be best for MDF panels & similar where the surface is already smooth; I've got some on the way, so I'll experiment.