Replies

1. 
   WorkshopJon | Apr 30, 2003 06:45am | #1

   "instruction book that came with the gun just says to use "the appropriate solvent". "

   Are you asking what solvents are appropriate for cleaning for what you will be spraying?  Tell us what you will be spraying and someone will get back to you I 'm sure. I general for oil, paint thinner, water based...water or alcohol.

   Jon

   
   

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   Edited 4/29/2003 11:47:51 PM ET by WorkshopJon
   

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   Edited 4/29/2003 11:48:13 PM ET by WorkshopJon

   
   

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   Edited 4/29/2003 11:48:28 PM ET by WorkshopJon

2. 
   TomT226 | Apr 30, 2003 02:27pm | #2

   mytthor,

   I don't run solvent and water based finishes thru the same gun.

   I use my HVLP only for water based, and clean it up by running plain water thru it first. Remove the air cap, tip, needle and scrub them.

   Scrub the pot and interior of the top, run brushes thru the pick up and the needle tubes. Reassemble and shoot about a 1/4 pot of denatured alcohol thu the gun. About once a year I'll use a spray gun cleaner and break the gun down completely and clean it.

1. 
   MarkRoderick | Apr 30, 2003 11:45pm | #5

   Do you re-use the alchohol or use fresh each time?

1. 
   Sancho | May 01, 2003 06:35am | #6

   Much like what Tom said I use my gun for spraying W/B in fact its all I use. But generally speaking you clean the material with what ever you use to thin it with. So if your spraying laquer then later thinner or mineral spirits run through the gun would clean it for example. you also should buy a gun lube and lube it after each use. 

   Darkworks:  Its all 'bout da squilla

2. 
   TomT226 | May 01, 2003 01:39pm | #7

   I don't save it. It may contain too much water. The gun I have uses a pressure pot with 2 5' hoses, and I just want the alcohol to pass thru those and all other passages to purge the water from the system.

2. 
   WorkshopJon | May 01, 2003 03:40pm | #8

   "don't run solvent and water based finishes thru the same gun."

   Tom,

   I've been doing it for twenty years (professionally) and never experienced a problem. Always figured that once the gun was cleaned, it's clean. Perhaps you could explain your rational.

   Jon

1. 
   TomT226 | May 01, 2003 07:26pm | #9

   Jon,

   Didn't say you shouldn't, just said I didn't. I've got an old standard cup gun that I run solvent finishes thru which is easier to clean than the HVLP pressure pot rig I have now.

   I have noticed when switching between WB lacquer and acrylic that no matter how good the pot, hoses, and gun is cleaned, I get a few nits of the color I was spraying previously on the first few passes....

3. 
   DougF | Apr 30, 2003 10:03pm | #3

   Congrats on your hvlp.  I've used one for almost 20 years and couldn't do without it.  The previous post is right on regarding clean up and I would add several related thoughts: I generally use use 3 distinctly different materials and I have a can and anti-syphon valve (which I change frequently) for each material.  That way I minimize the risk of containmenation when I switch materials.  Also, something I learned the hard way, don't put your turbine on the floor where the intake has access to more dust and heavier particles.  The intake filters are not that good.  And, I always strain my material through high-quality paint filters.

   Enjoy

4. 
   RW | Apr 30, 2003 11:24pm | #4

   Ditto on posts 3&4. You know, I never thought about having a spare valve set, not a bad idea, but for lacquers, I clean it out after use as described, and keep about an inch of thinner in the bottom of the cup while its stored. If you missed anything and it goes down into the cup after you left, you don't have to worry about the little drips. Not that you should miss, but hey, use it a few times, you'll see. For guns in general, for that spring cleaning ritual, or if the thing gets gummed up somehow, there's not much a gallon of MEK doesnt cure.

   "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb "      lyrics by Roger Waters