Spraying directly from the paint can or Gemini Bucket;
Surface and Job Preparation
With any paint project you should always ensure that you have prepared your surface to get the best finish. You must ensure all surfaces are free from
dust, dirt, rust and grease. Lightly pressure wash decks or exterior surfaces and ensure they are dry before painting.
With pre-coated or pre-painted surfaces lightly rub down with sandpaper to ensure a good key for the paint. With bare wood surfaces wipe with a damp
rag to ensure the surface is free of dust.
It is recommended masking off edges and other areas and using a drop cloth to ensure you protect those areas you wish to remain untouched.
Suitable
Not Suitable
Water-soluble interior and exterior paints, water-based wood
treatments and water-based varnishes.
Solvent-soluble coatings, 2-pack paints, highly abrasive and
textured coatings as well as coatings
WITH A FLASH POINT
BELOW 140˚F (60˚C).
Suitable
Not Suitable
.
Water-soluble and solvent interior and exterior paints, wood
treatments, varnishes, lacquers, urethanes, enamels, shellacs,
automotive paints & oil-based materials
.
2-pack paints, highly abrasive and textured coatings as well as
.
coatings
WITH A FLASH POINT BELOW 140˚F (60˚C).
Spraying from the Paint Pot;
DVD
Viscosity
DVD
2min
Thinning
DVD
Larger Jobs - Paint Can or Gemini Bucket
Small Jobs - Paint Pot
If mixing larger batches of paint, for instance 5L, dilute the paint by 5% (Approx. 250ml of water). If further thinning is required repeat this process in
increments of 5%. We also recommend you follow the paint/coating manufacturer’s guide for thinning in conjunction with a spray gun. If in doubt please
contact the manufacturers of the paint.
Tip:
When spraying direct from the can, although you do not necessarily need to thin interior emulsion paints, diluting paint will improve the coverage and
surface finish.
Always stir your paint with the Paint Stirrer (12a) (#11, box checklist) for approx. 2min.
7
Viscosity is a technical term used to indicate a liquids thickness. Having the correct viscosity of paint is important to ensure the paint atomizes
correctly and sprays well giving you a good quality finish. If your material is thin like water then the viscosity is said to be low, while if thick like latex
interior paint then viscosity is said to be high. Viscosity is measured in seconds.
When spraying direct from the can you may need to dilute up to 10% if your coating is very thick, e.g. exterior latex.
When spraying latex from the Paint Pot (12) all latex based coatings will need at least 10% dilution. Other coatings such as lacquers, urethanes generally
don’t but you should always check your paint viscosity with the Viscosity Cup (27) before you start to add any thinning material.
You should always test the viscosity (or thickness) of paint before spraying to see if thinning is required. The correct viscosity is important to ensure the
paint atomizes correctly and sprays evenly.
Your SprayStation Gemini
®
is supplied with a Viscosity Cup (27) to help you determine the thickness of the paint. To test a liquids viscosity, dip the viscosity
cup into the material and fill up to the top, lift free and time how long it takes the paint to empty the viscosity cup. Stop when the continuous flow ends from
the bottom of the cup. The time determines the material viscosity and the need for the paint to be thinned before being sprayed.
When using the Paint Pot (12), the SprayStation Gemini
®
has a
viscosity rating of 180 seconds.
If the paint has emptied the viscosity cup in less
than
180 seconds
then you will not need to thin your paint or material. If it is above this then thinning will be required (see thinning section).
Paint is “thinned” by adding the substance upon which the paint is based. If it is water-based paint then water is added; if oil-based then mineral spirit or
manufacturer’s recommended thinners is added. If the paint requires thinning, start with approximately 10% dilution of the paint by adding to the Paint Pot
(12) approx 50ml. Add the thinners to the paint and stir with the Paint Stirrer (12a) provided. Repeat this step by adding 5% (5% will be equal to half a
viscosity cup) with the required thinners until the desired viscosity is achieved.
