Spray Gun Solution Cup

The plastic solution cup on the spray gun holds 4 Oz of solution. The typical recommended application amount is 2 Oz. Some spray up to 3 Oz of solution. Two ounces of solution will be slightly less than half way up the wide part of the cup. Three ounces of solution will be about 2/3 up the wide part of the cup.

For more exact measurements, a clear, plastic measuring cup marked in both cups and ounces is useful. The angled measuring cups that also have markings on the inside of the cup that are visible from above are particularly handy. Two products that you may consider are the OXO SoftWorks 8 Oz angled measuring cup and the 2 Oz angled measuring cup. These cups may be found at cooking outlets, stores such as Target, or even your local grocery store. Both can be read from above and from the side.

The spray gun should be operated in a vertical position, with the top of the cup straight up. If more than slight tilts occur, you may experience some leakage. Make sure the top of the cup is securely fastened. Grasp the body of the cup in one hand and twist the lid firmly until it is good and tight. With the lid properly secured the only leak you will possibly get is from the siphon hole in the lid of the cup. This hole must always remain open. To leak from this hole, you will have to tilt the gun excessively.

Solution Storage

When you are finished spraying, it is advisable to empty any remaining solution from the gun. It is best to have a working container of about a quart capacity that gets used up quickly. You may want to have a small plastic funnel to assist in storing unused solution. Refrigerated storage is highly recommended if feasible.

Air Flow Knob

The gun should be set to allow nearly all the air flow from the compressor unit to pass through.

Suggested Setting:
Turn the air flow knob (located near the hose fitting of the gun) all the way out, by rotating counterclockwise. Then rotate it clockwise one full turn back in.

Fluid Flow Knob

The more you pull the trigger back, the more fluid is allowed to flow through the gun. The needle adjusting screw, or fluid flow knob, located on the rear of the gun determines how far back the trigger can be pulled, and so sets the maximum fluid flow.

Suggested Setting:
Turn the fluid flow knob all the way in, rotating clockwise. Then turn it out 3 full revolutions rotating counterclockwise. Continue to adjust outwards, if insufficient fluid flow is observed.

To prevent accidentally changing your setting, you may screw the free turning needle adjusting nut, located next to the knob, all the way in until it contacts the body of the gun. After doing this, the fluid flow knob cannot be turned.

Fan Pattern

With the fan air knob, located on the side of the gun, is turned all the way in clockwise (the off position), you get a circular spray pattern. If fan air is turned on, air passes through the two holes in the "prongs" on the spray gun air cap. This air flattens the spray pattern and produces a wider, elongated oval or fan pattern. The more fan air, the wider the pattern.

Suggested Fan Air Setting:
Turn the fan air knob clockwise until it no longer turns. Then, noting the position of the engraving mark on the knob, rotate the knob counter-clockwise one full turn until the engraving mark occupies the same position.

Fan Orientation

If the “prongs” are horizontal, you get a vertical spray pattern. Only move the spray gun side to side with this setting -- moving vertically is incorrect and produces a heavy line pattern. If the prongs are vertical, you get a horizontal spray pattern. Only move the gun up and down with this setting -- moving the gun horizontally produces a heavy line and is an incorrect pattern. If the prongs are diagonal, you get the opposing diagonal spray pattern. You should only use the horizontal and vertical patterns.

Suggested Orientation Rule of Thumb:
A line through the prongs should line up with the direction you are spraying. For example, if you are spraying across the body, the prongs should “point” that way. If you are spraying up and down the body, the prongs should “point” that way.

Suggested Distance

Hold the gun about 8-12 inches from the body when spraying.

Adjustment Demonstrations

The following segments are contained in the video, showing the impact of spray gun settings:

• Fan Air Off - Only a circular pattern is produced. Note that increasing the distance from the subject produces a bigger circle.
• Fan Air On - Note that when the fan air is turned from 1 to 2 to 3 revolutions, a flat or fan pattern of greater width is produced. Note that as distance to the subject is increased a wider, but lighter fan pattern is produced.
• How to Begin and End Spray Strokes - (The curved lines in the video represent the contour of the body.) As you pull the trigger to begin a spray stroke, pent up pressure will produce a heavier stroke. There is also a tendendcy to pause at the begining of a stroke. As you release the trigger at the end of a stroke, less solution is coming out. This can produce a heavy band at the beginning of the stroke and a lighter band at the end of a stroke. Always begin and end your stroke away from the body for a consistent result.