The powder coating gun uses a heating element to melt the powder. If this is not done correctly, it can lead to issues with setting up parts for painting or creating defects in the final product. Here are seven ways you can use to keep your Powder coat gun-running efficiently and effectively.
·Use compressed air to clean out the lines if there are any signs of powder buildup. You should always do this after each use regardless, but if you notice that there’s already some buildup, you need to act fast. This is because powder settles quickly and, over time, will make it harder for the electronics in the gun to complete their task (heating).
·Clean off excess powder around the nozzle tip. The powder should flow out of the gun and onto where you’re working. If there is an extra coating, it will get in the way of the nozzle and affect how well your parts come out.
·Never leave a hot gun unattended. This means after changing nozzles, making adjustments to your power and voltage settings, and generally when you have the gun on but are not actively using it. Always turn it off! It may seem like common sense to have this one covered, but when you see someone using a spray gun with nobody around, it makes for an amusing watch.
·Keep the gun tip clean at all times. The inside of the nozzle should stay clear of powder at all times; try regularly blowing or brushing this area out with compressed air or a special brush if necessary. If the tip gets clogged, it will affect how well the gun heats up, which will lead to an inconsistent coat thickness and poor adhesion if done repeatedly.
·Use a nozzle size that matches what you need to spray. You can find sizing templates online without too much hassle, and this is something you should put some effort into because it can have a big effect on the final product. If your nozzle is too small, it will have trouble atomizing the powder on larger projects. On the other hand, if it’s too large, the coating will be messy and not form properly onto your workpiece. A good rule of thumb to avoid this issue is to use a nozzle that gives you around 30% coverage of what you are trying to spray over with multiple passes.
·Switch off the heating or cooling for parts that don’t need them. Some materials react badly when they cool down quickly, like aluminum and steel, so make sure these components do not come out of the gun cold (heating elements turned off). Similarly, some materials harden too quickly when they heat up, which means special coatings will not adhere properly. This is why it’s recommended to keep the heating or cooling on if your Powder Coating Gun has them. If you find that this happens over time with certain components, try adjusting your voltage settings accordingly by turning the knob clockwise or anti-clockwise until they come out satisfactorily.
The tips mentioned above will increase the productivity of your powder coating machine and help keep your production costs low while keeping you safe from injury or damage to materials and tools due to poor performance and improper operation of equipment.
