Anker Stuy Coatings - 16 / Mar / 2023
Spray Pattern Troubleshooting
This blog outlines common problems with spray patterns and offers remedies to ensure you are achieving perfect results with your spraying everytime.
| CONDITION | CAUSE | CORRECTION |
Top or bottom heavy pattern | Horn holes plugged Obstruction on top or bottom of fluid tip Cap and/or tip seat dirty | Clean ream with non-metallic point Clean Clean |
Right or left heavy pattern | Left or right side horn holes plugged Dirt on left or right side of fluid tip | Clean ream with non-metallic point Clean |
Remedies to right/left/top/bottom heavy patterns:
- Determine if the obstruction is on the air cap or the fluid tip. Do this by making a test spry pattern. Then, rotate the cap one half-turn and spray another pattern. If the defect is inverted, obstruction is in the air cap. Clean the air cap as previously instructed.
- If the defect is not inverted, it is in the fluid tip. Check fine burr on the edge of the fluid tip. Remove with #600 wet or dry sand paper.
- Check for dried paint just inside the opening. Remove paint by cleaning with water or Anker Stuy Glycol Cleaner AW.
| CONDITION | CAUSE | CORRECTION |
Heavy center pattern | Fluid pressure too high for atomisation air (pressure feed) Atomising pressure too low increase pressure Material too thick | Balance air and fluid pressure. Increase spray pattern width with spreader adjustment valve Thin or lower fluid flow Increase pressure Thin to proper consistency |
Split spray pattern | Fluid adjusting knob turned in too far Atomisation air pressure too high Fluid pressure too low (pressure feed only) Spready adjusting valve set too high | Back out counter-clockwise to achieve proper pattern Reduce at air regulator Increase fluid pressure Adjust by turning in clockwise |
Jerky or fluttering spray | Suction and pressure feed loose or damaged fluid tip/seat Material level too low Container tipped too far Obstruction in fluid passage Loose or broken fluid tube or fluid inlet nipple Dry or loose fluid needle packing nut | Tighten or replace Refill Hold more upright Backflush with water Tighten or replace Lubricate or tighten |
