Cleaning a spray gun

[watergunn]

Hi all.

What is a suitable solvent to run through a spray gun after spraying lacquer?

Just want to be sure I do it thoroughly.

Thanks

Rick Gunn

[Darryl Young]

I'll let one of the guys with experience spraying nitrocellulose lacquer answer your question specifically (I assume it nito lacquer?).

Here is a great book by Jeff Jewitt on spray finishing that covers these type topics in case you're interested. It includes a DVD inside that you can watch and learn the techniques, assembly/disassembly, cleaning methods and troubleshooting tips.

http://www.amazon.com/Spray-Finishing-S ... 1600850928

[Ben-Had]

what I now do depends on if I am finishing for the day i.e. I'll be shooting tomorrow OR if I'm finished with the project.

Finished for the day - pour the leftover finish back into the can, run finish solvent through the gun i.e. water for a water based lacquer then DNA to purge residual H2O or lacquer thinner for nitro. (occasionally I'm a bad boy and leave it over night, I really haven't had any trouble doing this and sometimes need to clean it a little but it's not a good practice).

Finished for the project - I use the same solvent but I break down the gun (cup, air cap, nozzle, needle) and soak for an hour then use my brushes to clean things out. When reassembling, I put a small touch of gun lube on the needle shaft that meets the trigger area.

[B. Howard]

What Tim said, except I will often use acetone for the cleaning solvent.

[watergunn]

Thanks for all of the info.

I will be giving it a shot tomorrow.

[phavriluk]

This is one of those skills that is used in making guitars, and a zillion other things, too. And it makes no difference what the finish is blown on. So...if you know anyone who uses a spray gun seriously, ask him/her to walk you through the cleaning process that is appropriate for your gun. All the better if you have the manufacturer's maintenance instructions that came with the gun. This is one of those things that makes perfect sense to be introduced one-on-one.