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Air Assist Spray Guns
This spray pattern quick guide addresses common challenges faced by anyone who paints with an air assist spray gun.
Spray Pattern Troubleshooting
Select the issue you're facing to see examples, possible reasons, the best solution and why it is important.
Possible Reasons
Tails not fully atomized
Tip worn
Tip plugged
Fluid pressure too low
Best Solution
Clean tip
Check tip wear / flow rate
Increase fluid pressure
Decrease tip orifice size
Solution Results
Even / blended finish
Even paint thickness and coverage
Maintains transfer efficiency
Decreases dry spray
Increases cleanliness of tip, air cap and gun
Possible Reasons
Dirty or plugged air cap holes
Tip worn
Tip plugged
Operator spray technique
Best Solution
Clean air cap
Clean tip
Check tip for wear/flow rate
Review operator technique
Solution Results
Even / blended finish
Eliminates stripes
Even paint thickness and coverage
Possible Reasons
Spray tip partially plugged
Dirty or plugged air cap holes
Best Solution
Clean or replace tip
Clean or replace air cap
Test different types of air caps
Solution Results
Even / blended finish
Even 50 percent overlaps
Even paint thickness and coverage
Possible Reasons
Too much atomization air
Too high of fluid pressure
Incorrect tip size
Best Solution
Reduce air pressure
Decrease fluid pressure
Increase tip orifice size
Solution Results
Increase transfer efficiency
Decrease overspray
Improves spray booth cleanliness
Possible Reasons
Too much fluid flow
Tip worn
Incorrect tip size
Operator spray technique
Best Solution
Check tip wear / flow rate
Decrease tip orifice size
Review operator technique
Solution Results
Minimizes runs
Maintains transfer efficiency
Even paint thickness and coverage
Even 50 percent overlaps
Possible Reasons
Too much atomization air
Too much fan pattern adjustment
Too much distance between gun and part
Best Solution
Decrease air pressure
Decrease tip pattern size
Adjust gun to part distance
Solution Results
Increases wetness of the paint on the part
Allows material to flow evenly
Even / blended finish
Possible Reasons
Too much atomization air
Over agitation of paint supply
Best Solution
Decrease air pressure
Test different type of air cap
Reduce agitation of paint supply
Solution Results
Aircaps are designed to deliver the proper amount of air to specific materials
Improves finish appearance
Eliminates air bubbles in material
Possible Reasons
Paint coverage too thick
Too much atomization air
Best Solution
Decrease fluid pressure
Test different type of air cap
Decrease tip orifice size
Decrease air pressure
Solution Results
Even / blended finish
Improves finish appearance
Aircaps are designed to deliver the proper amount of air to specific materials
Free Webinar Series
Optimize Spray Performance 1: Air Assist (AA) Guns
Get set up for success with manual and automatic air-assisted airless spraying. This 24-minute, on-demand webinar addresses common challenges faced by anyone who paints with an AA gun.
