5
PROBLEM
CAUSE
ACTION
Fluttering Spray Pattern
Insufficient fluid supply.
Adjust fluid regulator or fill fluid supply
tanks.
Air in paint supply line.
Check and tighten pump siphon hose
connections, bleed air from paint line.
Attempting to “feather” (Partially
Cannot feather with an AA4000 gun.
trigger gun).
Striping Spray – Fingers
Carbide tip partially plugged.
Clean or replace carbide tip assembly.
Irregular Pattern
Fluid builds up on carbide tip, or tip
Clean carbide tip.
partially plugged.
On defective side of pattern, air horn
Clean air horn holes with solvent and
holes are plugged.
a soft brush.
Pattern pushed to one side, same
On defective side of pattern, air horn
Clean air horn holes with solvent and
side of air cap gets dirty
holes are plugged.
a soft brush or toothpick.
SPRAY PATTERN TROUBLESHOOTING
AIR-ASSISTED AIRLESS SPRAY GUN MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING
Maintenance of air-assisted airless spray guns includes
(1) fluid tip wear and replacement; (2) lubrication; and
(3) cleaning of the gun.
FLUID TIP
Operating an air-assisted airless spray gun with a worn
fluid tip will result in increased usage of spraying materi-
al and therefore, HAP emissions. For example, an
increase in the diameter of a tip from 0.015 inch to 0.021
inch due to wear can result in up to a 100 percent
increase in material consumption and cost. To prevent
waste in spraying material and non-value-adding costs, a
maintenance schedule that includes fluid tip inspection
and replacement must be established.
LUBRICATION
Proper lubrication is essential for optimum spray gun per-
formance. Lubrication allows the equipment to operate
easily and correctly. The spray gun should be lubricated
after each cleaning. The points that need lubrication dur-
ing the maintenance of air-assisted airless spray guns
include (1) the fluid needle packing; (2) trigger pivot
point. Gun lube is used to lubricate the fluid needle pack-
ing and trigger pivot point.
CLEANING
The following steps summarize the procedure for clean-
ing air-assisted airless spray guns:
1. Turn off the atomizing air supply to the gun.
2. Turn off air supply to the pump and relieve fluid
pressure. This may be accomplished by opening the
bypass/priming valve, if so equipped.
3. Place the siphon (suction) tube into a solvent con-
tainer. If pump is directly immersed in material,
remove the pump and immerse it in a solvent con-
tainer.
4. Place the gun trigger safety switch in the locked
position.
5. Remove the fluid tip and place it in a closed solvent
container.
6. Adjust the pump air supply regulator to its lowest
level (counter-clockwise).
7. Place the gun trigger safety switch in the unlocked
position.
8. Turn on the air supply to the pump and close the
bypass/priming valve, if so equipped.
9. Slowly adjust the pump air supply regulator until the
pump begins to cycle.
10. Trigger the gun into a closed container until the fluid
runs clear.
(continued)
CAUTION
Never immerse the entire gun in solvent or thinners. Some
gun parts will lose their lubricative film and wear more
quickly. Additionally, solvents may carry impurities
throughout the gun body and allow them to clog small air
and fluid passages.
!
NOTE
Use only compatible solvents that are identified as
approved for cleaning and wash-off use.
NOTE
During cleaning, the gun may only be sprayed into a closed
container, never flush the gun into the air or spray booth.
WARNING
Failure to reduce pump air supply pressure or to use a
closed container can result in material “bounce-back”.
Material “bounce back” can cause injury and damage.
!
