It cannot be overstated how important gun maintenance is to ensuring great gun output day in and day out. In fact, many Spray Guns sent in for full repair or refurbishment are simply the result of faulty maintenance procedures or no maintenance procedures at all.
The biggest culprits requiring repair are buildup in the material port or the needle/nozzle itself. This is usually due to material settling in the gun itself when the gun is not in use (i.e. overnight between production runs). Depending on the size of the painting system, there are several solutions available, from mechanical to procedural, which will greatly extend its functional time between repairs.
For smaller spray systems, such as simple gravity feed guns for automotive finishes, it is a good idea to flush the gun with water or a cleaner (depending on whether your material is water or solvent based) after each spray cycle way of doing. This process takes only a few minutes and will greatly increase the life of the Spray Gun while reducing wear and tear. Additionally, you should manually clean all material ports semi-regularly (i.e. weekly or bi-weekly, depending on material and frequency of use) using an accessory such as a small brush. You can easily purchase a Spray Gun cleaning kit that contains all the tools you need to keep your Spray Gun top in shape. For more complex systems, such as a multi-gun spray and mark system, you can purchase flushing equipment that will automate the process for you, cleaning the entire system in just a few seconds.
No matter how small, simple or complex your spray system is, gun maintenance is key. Performing these good practices on a regular basis will keep your process running smoothly and your gun out of the service shop, saving you time and money in the long run.
