The Worst Thing You Can Do to the Spray Gun You Rely On

Don't Soak It. Protect It.

A professional spray gun is a precision tool.

Whether it is used in cabinet finishing, OEM production, automotive refinish, metal fabrication, industrial coatings, or another professional finishing operation, its performance depends on clean air passages, undamaged components, correct assembly, and proper maintenance.

One of the most common mistakes at the end of a shift is completely submerging the spray gun in solvent or taking the entire gun apart simply because it needs routine cleaning.

It may look thorough.

It can also create problems that were not there before.

Why Soaking the Entire Spray Gun Can Cause Problems

Used solvent may contain coating residue, pigment, dirt, and other contaminants removed during cleaning.

When the complete gun is submerged, those contaminants may reach areas that normally should stay clean.

Depending on the gun design, that can include:

• Internal air passages
• Air-control components
• Threads
• Seals and packing areas
• Other precision components

Contamination in these areas can contribute to restricted airflow, inconsistent performance, premature wear, and difficult-to-diagnose spray problems.

Air Passages Are Part of the Spray System

The air passages inside a spray gun help control atomization and spray-pattern shape.

A small amount of contamination can sometimes have a surprisingly large effect.

Possible symptoms may include:

• Uneven atomization
• Irregular fan shape
• Restricted airflow
• Poor fan control
• Inconsistent spray performance

That can lead to unnecessary pressure adjustments or troubleshooting when the real problem began during cleaning.

A cleaning mistake can quickly become a finishing problem.

Routine Cleaning Is Not the Same as Complete Disassembly

There are times when a spray gun should be disassembled.

Scheduled maintenance, blocked passages, damaged components, leaking seals, packing replacement, or another manufacturer-specified service procedure may require it.

But unnecessary daily disassembly can increase the chance of:

• Damaged threads
• Lost small parts
• Damaged sealing surfaces
• Incorrect reassembly
• Overtightened components
• Unnecessary wear

Routine cleaning should remove coating and contamination without creating additional opportunities for damage.

What Should Routine Cleaning Include?

Always begin with the spray gun manufacturer's cleaning and maintenance instructions.

Depending on the equipment and coating, routine cleaning may include:

• Flush the fluid passages using the recommended cleaning material.
• Remove and clean the air cap as required.
• Wipe the exterior of the gun with a soft cloth or suitable brush.
• Remove coating buildup before it hardens.
• Keep dirty cleaning solution out of the air passages.
• Inspect the gun for leakage, damaged parts, or unusual wear.

The goal is not to clean less.

The goal is to clean correctly.

Take Special Care with the Air Cap

The air cap is one of the most important components affecting spray-pattern shape and atomization.

Its precision openings should remain clean and undamaged.

When cleaning an air cap:

• Use the procedure recommended by the manufacturer.
• Use tools that cannot enlarge or deform the air passages.
• Avoid aggressive scraping.
• Inspect the horn holes and center openings for blockage or damage.

A dirty air cap can cause problems.

A damaged air cap can cause problems that cleaning will not fix.

Protect the Gun Before It Gets Dirty

Another practical way to reduce cleanup is to protect the spray gun before overspray builds up on it.

A spray gun cover, sometimes called a gun glove, can help protect the gun body and controls from coating buildup while leaving the necessary working areas exposed.

Depending on the application, this can help reduce:

• Exterior coating buildup
• End-of-shift cleaning time
• Cleaning-solvent use
• Contamination around controls

Preventing buildup is often easier than removing it later.

Use the Right Cleaning Material

The correct cleaning method depends on the coating being sprayed.

Solventborne wood finishes, waterborne materials, catalyzed coatings, automotive products, high-solids industrial coatings, and specialty finishes may require different cleaning procedures.

Always consider:

• Coating chemistry
• Pot life
• Cure characteristics
• Recommended cleaning material
• Spray gun manufacturer's instructions

Use a cleaning material that is appropriate for both the coating and the equipment.

Less Solvent Does Not Mean Less Maintenance

Reducing unnecessary solvent use should never mean leaving coating inside the equipment.

It means using the correct amount of cleaning material in the correct way.

Efficient cleaning can help reduce:

• Material waste
• Cleaning costs
• Maintenance labor
• Unnecessary exposure to cleaning chemicals

Good maintenance is not about using more solvent.

It is about using the right procedure.

When Should the Gun Be Disassembled?

Disassembly may be appropriate when:

• The manufacturer calls for scheduled service.
• A component is worn or damaged.
• A passage is blocked.
• The gun is leaking.
• The spray pattern cannot be corrected through normal adjustment and cleaning.
• A packing, seal, needle, nozzle, or other component requires service.

When service is required, use the proper tools and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

The Bottom Line

A spray gun does not need punishment at the end of a hard day's work.

It needs proper maintenance.

Flush what needs flushing.

Clean what needs cleaning.

Protect the precision components.

And take the gun apart only when the maintenance procedure calls for it.

Good maintenance is not about doing more. It is about doing the right things.

Finishing Starts With Understanding.

AirSprayTech.com
The Finishing Authority®