Paint Spray Gun Maintenance Tips

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Published On: 04.03.2024

Proper maintenance of your paint application equipment is crucial for achieving high-quality paint finishes and ensuring efficient paint application. By regularly cleaning application equipment, painters can prevent clogs, uneven spray patterns, and wasted paint. A routine maintenance program can even lengthen the lifespan of your tools.

As an industrial coatings manufacturer, we’ve had a lot of experience with paint application equipment. Here are some tips from our Technical Service Team that will help you keep your paint spray equipment running at optimal performance.

Recommended Supplies:
• PPE
• Cleaning solvent and/or water (recommended brand: Simple Green, used at full strength)
• Soft bristle brush (Nylon bristle/wooden handle)
• Lubricant (DeVilbiss SSL10 is an option)
• Small flashlight

General Spray Gun Inspection and Cleaning Instructions:
1. Inspect the spray gun to make sure all parts are accounted for, and nothing is missing prior to disassembly. Use the parts listing for your specific spray gun if you do not feel comfortable with accounted parts.
2. Brush the spray gun with a soft nylon bristle brush and cleaning solvent or water to remove any heavy accumulation of paint materials near the tip area and spray gun body.
DO NOT SUBMURGE THE SPRAY GUN BODY INTO SOLVENT OR WATER AS IT CAN BREAK DOWN PACKINGS AND SEALS IN THE SPRAY GUN BODY.
3. Disassemble the spray gun, keeping track of and organizing all parts for ease of reassembly. Remove the air cap, nozzle, and tip from the spray gun and inspect. Make sure to trigger the spray gun slightly during the removal of the tip and nozzle so you do not damage the touch points of the nozzle and needle.
4. Soak the spray gun tip, nozzle, needle, and air cap in a cleaning solution such as Simple Green Solution for water-based products and an approved solvent-based cleaner for solvent-based paints to help loosen the paint debris. Repeat as necessary to ensure all debris is removed.
DO NOT PLACE ANY ALUMINUM PARTS OF THE SPRAY GUN IN THE SIMPLE GREEN SOLUTION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.
5. A nylon bristle brush with a wooden handle can be used to help remove any stubborn paint accumulation on the parts.
6. Inspect the orifices on the air cap and clean out any debris to make sure the spray pattern is not affected when reassembled. The above-mentioned small bristle brush can be used during this and any other step during this process to get into hard-to-reach areas with paint debris.
7. Use a small flashlight to inspect the nozzle and the tip for damage or debris. Make sure you can see light through all orifices.
8. A quick burst of air from an air source can be used to blow out any leftover debris from the orifices. Make sure to secure the spray gun parts when using air to clear any debris.
9. Inspect the spray gun body at the trigger point and clean any paint debris built up at the pivot point of the trigger and surrounding area.
10. After you have cleaned all spray gun parts, reassemble the spray gun using an approved spray gun lubricant (e.g., DeVelbiss SSL10) for all pivot points and threaded areas for better action and disassembly of your spray gun the next time.
11. After reassembly, test the fluid flow and spray pattern and adjust for best spray pattern results.

Safety Reminders:
• Wear all the PPE equipment required to perform this gun cleaning procedure. Safety glasses, safety shields, chemical resistant gloves, respirator, and a paint suit are highly recommended.
• Disconnect the spray gun from the system when possible.
• If the spray gun can’t be removed from the system, make sure the valve to the air source is closed prior to maintenance or cleaning.
• Release any built-up air in the spray system.
• Disconnect electrical cords if using an electric airless spray system.
• Read any safety labels, user instructions and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) related to any cleaning solvents you plan to use.
• After cleaning solvent is used, dispose of all contaminated cleaning solvent correctly to keep the environment safe.

Your program does not need to be time-consuming or costly. However, if your budget allows, ask your paint shop manager to investigate the purchase of an ultrasonic cleaner to deep clean spray gun parts. We have found in most cases that an ultrasonic cleaner is a great tool to help with daily/weekly maintenance programs.

Investing in proper spray gun equipment maintenance will save you time and money in the long run. From reducing the need for retouching and reapplication, to expanding the lifespan of your equipment, the benefits are clear.

If you have questions about how to keep your paint application equipment in top shape, please reach out to one of our experienced Technical Service Representatives, who will be happy to help. You can reach us at 800.773.7801 or info@shebpaint.com.

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Date Posted: 10/24/2022 Job Title: Associate Chemist Location: Sheboygan, WI Reports To: R&D Group Leader Job Category/Department: R&D Travel Required: < 10% Position Type: Salary Job Purpose: We are looking for a dedicated, analytically minded and detail-oriented Associate Chemist to conduct performance testing on paint, evaluate raw material offset opportunities, and prepare samples to support quality activities. Will conduct research and explore how products, processes, and equipment may be improved, and should be dedicated to improving processes and products while furthering scientific knowledge to drive profitable requirements. Must have some knowledge of paint testing and an awareness for testing methodologies and equipment. The Associate Chemist will work closely with team members on paint formulation and testing, as well as analytical and continuous improvement projects on a day-to-day basis. Must have enthusiasm for the task in hand and a willingness to work under pressure to meet deadlines and drive quality metrics, while working in a safe and responsible manner, always. They will wear and use correct personal protective equipment where and when laid down by the company and will follow company health and safety and environmental procedures and reporting guidelines. The job holder will also be required to train on any computer software as designated by the company. Primary Duties and Deliverables, with guidance from R&D Leadership:

Formulation and Testing
- Execute benchmarking studies of products. Interprets and clearly communicate results
- Conduct investigations of product complaints.
- Perform testing from standard procedures.
- Prepare test formulations, conducting tests and advising and coordinating test procedures.

Communication
- Record and organize projects in an electronic format

Safety and Maintenance
- Clean, maintain, and store testing tools and equipment
- Evaluate testing protocols and suggest improvements
- Clean and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, making sure that all the technology is working correctly, if it isn’t, troubleshoot the issue or problem. Conduct quality control tests to ensure no compounds or equipment are contaminated
- Follow all company and governmental safety procedures
- Additional Responsibilities, as requested
  - Interact cross-functionally with other departments and sites to support or modify existing products to drive efficiency, profitability and quality, including, but not limited to:
    - Work in the laboratory and assist in the direction of the activities of one or more technicians.
    - Consult with R&D, Operations Personnel, and Technical Support Service on the analysis, interpretation of defects and optimization of tests and processes
    - Assist to solve manufacturing/scale-up issues to support quality operations.
    - Assist in evaluating and ensuring laboratory safety procedures and standards compliance

Core Competencies:

Active Listening: Listening accurately and confirming the concern or goal state is essential to solving the correct problem:
- Ask questions to confirm you understood the concern, goal state, current state, and timeline and align on a plan
- Demonstrate active listening, by recording accurate situation appraisal notes, with clearly annotated follow up plans.

Good communication: Communicating with others effectively, and in a timely manner is crucial. Ability to communicate respectfully and concisely via diverse modes:
- Verbally in person and virtually
- Written by note taking, email, report and specification writing, teams instant messaging, and PowerPoint
- technically through spreadsheets, and other analytical tools

Collaboration and Continuous Learning: Collaboration is key in a quality facing role. Inspire confidence and trust by being dependable and honest, having high standards for quality and punctuality of work. Have and intrinsic and enthusiastic drive to support team goals, with a positive attitude and passion for innovation, continuous learning and application of new skills and concepts. Be open to learning new chemistries, analysis techniques and softwares, and project management disciplines

Critical thinking and problem-solving: Identifying problems, root causes, and possible solutions is a focus of this role. Before choosing a solution, objectively evaluate each option and present the most effective solution for review. Logical approach to judgement and decision making based on original thinking, direct experience, and high quality, independently verifiable evidence.

Time management: This team has many different accountabilities. There are many different types of projects, many deadlines, so being able to manage and record time well to punctually meet those deadlines and summarize time by project is a key skill.

Analytical: This team is highly data driven. At times we will work with very compact data sets and use math to extrapolate new, larger solutions, quickly. At other times, we will use analytics to look through large datasets and interpolate opportunities, thus, having an flexible and analytical mind is essential to our success.

Organizational skills: This role is very process and results oriented. We are also called to answer complex problems quickly. Keeping track of input and output data and documenting all processes and observations and being able to retrieve this work swiftly calls for strong organizational skills.

Perseverance and Endurance: Finding a new solution, optimizing a process, or aligning a group of people to a common solution, can take a lot of effort, time, repeated experimentation, and determination. All of these are key skills for a Chemist to possess.

Scientific and numerical skills: A Chemist must be good at mathematics, and order of operations, to correctly apply formulas in experiments and document them correctly.

Required Qualifications:

Active Listening: Listening accurately and confirming the concern or goal state is essential to solving the correct problem:
- Ask questions to confirm you understood the concern, goal state, current state, and timeline and align on a plan
- Demonstrate active listening, by recording accurate situation appraisal notes, with clearly annotated follow up plans.
Good communication: Communicating with others effectively, and in a timely manner is crucial. Ability to communicate respectfully and concisely via diverse modes:
- Verbally in person and virtually
- Written by note taking, email, report and specification writing, teams instant messaging, and PowerPoint
- technically through spreadsheets, and other analytical tools
Collaboration and Continuous Learning: Collaboration is key in a quality facing role. Inspire confidence and trust by being dependable and honest, having high standards for quality and punctuality of work. Have and intrinsic and enthusiastic drive to support team goals, with a positive attitude and passion for innovation, continuous learning and application of new skills and concepts. Be open to learning new chemistries, analysis techniques and softwares, and project management disciplines.
Critical thinking and problem-solving: Identifying problems, root causes, and possible solutions is a focus of this role. Before choosing a solution, objectively evaluate each option and present the most effective solution for review. Logical approach to judgement and decision making based on original thinking, direct experience, and high quality, independently verifiable evidence.
Time management: This team has many different accountabilities. There are many different types of projects, many deadlines, so being able to manage and record time well to punctually meet those deadlines and summarize time by project is a key skill.
Analytical: This team is highly data driven. At times we will work with very compact data sets and use math to extrapolate new, larger solutions, quickly. At other times, we will use analytics to look through large datasets and interpolate opportunities, thus, having an flexible and analytical mind is essential to our success.
Organizational skills: This role is very process and results oriented. We are also called to answer complex problems quickly. Keeping track of input and output data and documenting all processes and observations and being able to retrieve this work swiftly calls for strong organizational skills.
Perseverance and Endurance: Finding a new solution, optimizing a process, or aligning a group of people to a common solution, can take a lot of effort, time, repeated experimentation, and determination. All of these are key skills for a Chemist to possess.
Scientific and numerical skills: A Chemist must be good at mathematics, and order of operations, to correctly apply formulas in experiments and document them correctly

Preferred Qualifications (considers the following attributes and skills to be highly desirable)

B.S. Degree in physical science (chemistry, chemical engineering, coatings or closely related field) and 2 years formulating experience in industry.
Knowledge paint formulation, application, catalysis, cure, and general property testing is required
Preference towards collaborating on group projects rather than individual projects, strongly preferred

Paint Spray Gun Maintenance Tips

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