Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi everybody, it's finally getting warm enough that I can try out my new spraygun. I plan on using KTM 9 with a spraygun from StewMac. My question is this--when following my finishing schedule, do I need to do anything to keep the gun from getting blocked up between coats? For example, if I spray 5-7 coats and wait 1 hour in between, will the KTM-9 clog my gun between each coat? How do I keep the gun clean between coats until I'm finished and clean it for the day?

Also, does anybody have any cleaning tips for a gun using waterbase? I already bought several rebuild kits when I got the gun just figuring I would need them sooner or later.

Thanks!

John

I usually empty after each session, wash out the cup, and spray some alcohol through it and leave the alcohol in the gun until the next session. Be sure to filter the KTM9 when filling the gun and wipe off the tip frequently when spraying. I've been using USL lately on ones I don't farm out and that seems a little more forgiving for leaving it in the gun.
Terry

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Biggest secret in keeping your gun running smooth between coats is Air first/ Air last. begin each pass with nothing but air then add the mixing and end each pass with a nothing but air. This will help keep your tips free of clogs and avoid media build up on the end of the needle. I am not sure how your gun is set up but most the first part of the pull is air and then the last 2/3rds of the trigger pull is mix.

With Colortone water-based lacquer, I used to clean my gun out between coats - 2 hours apart. I have found that to be unnecessary and now clean it out after the last spray for the day.

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Lots of good advice. I take one additional step which, for me, was the secret to preventing blockages with Ultima. I take the "butterfly" nozzle off the gun & drop it in a jar of hot water between coats. This keeps those tiny holes from clogging & every coat is like a fresh gun!

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Dave
Milton, ON

I once forgot and left USL in my gun for several days. It didn't clog it at all.

The key in spraying water-based is to try and get a "wet pebble "coating. If you try to spray a full wet coat it will run horribly and sometimes dry cloudy.
Wipe it off with a wet rag and try again if you overspray. Don't wet sand until it has cured overnight. Ask me how I know .

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It's not the miles ahead, it's the stone in your shoe


In Markham,Virginia