Master Elite Series Knowledge - FAQ

The first thing you should do is check to see if the problem is caused by the air cap or fluid tip. Follow this simple rule. Give the air cap a half turn. If you notice the heavier spot on the pattern moving in sync with your turn then your air cap needs to be cleaned or replaced. If your pattern does not change then your fluid tip needs cleaning and should be checked for wear and/or replaced.

There is a misconception that spray guns cause orange peel. The reality is that there are some important factors that cause 95% of the orange peel problems. The first and most common cause is using the incorrect reducer for the current shop temperature. Too fast of a reducer will not allow the paint to stay wet long enough to flow and lay out. Another common cause of orange peel texture is under reducing material. Even if you use the correct reducer but under reduce, then you will have the same problem of the paint drying too fast without proper flow. Finally the other common cause is gun technique. Moving too slow or too fast, too much distance, not enough fluid — all of these can be causes of texture.

High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) is a technology that increases transfer efficiency and reduces overspray. The transfer rate of HVLP guns tends to be between 65–70%, meaning you are only losing about 30% of the material in your cup. HVLP guns have an exit PSI of 4–10 at the air cap. You will have slower gun passes with an HVLP but achieve coverage much faster due to high transfer efficiency, and you can spray closer to the surface for better control. Conventional guns take in about 30–50 PSI with nearly as much force at exit, resulting in a transfer rate of only 25–40% and large clouds of overspray representing 60–75% of cup material. Higher transfer efficiency means savings in both material and cost.

CFM (cubic feet per minute) is the most important factor when selecting a spray gun or compressor so both can function together properly. PSI (pounds per square inch) measures air pressure. To spray and maintain proper airflow you need the appropriate CFM while maintaining adequate PSI. All guns have a CFM requirement that must be met by the compressor. If your compressor provides less CFM than required, you will be able to spray for a short time before running out of air, causing the gun to lose pressure and show effects such as poor atomization, spitting, and streaming.

The most common cause is found in the air valve. Air valves are composed of seals and packings that, with use, can be worn down by small amounts of solvents, preventing proper opening and closing of air distribution. The best fix is replacing with a complete air valve kit when available.

The biggest cause is the needle not seating properly once the trigger is released. This can be caused by a small particle in the fluid tip or a buildup of material on the needle tip, preventing it from seating fully. You should also check whether the fluid tip is worn and needs replacing — this occurs over time as the needle repeatedly contacts the fluid tip during normal operation.

HVLP gun passes are slower, but coverage is achieved faster due to high transfer efficiency. You can also spray closer to the surface for better control. If you increase the distance between gun and surface you will need to slow down and may need to increase fluid flow. If you are closer, move quicker and set fluid accordingly to avoid excess concentration — too much fluid in spots results in sags and runs.

No. Soaking gives the appearance of a clean gun on the outside but slowly creates problems inside. Gun washers are the optimum cleaning system, allowing solvent to flow through fluid passages without exposing seals and packings. Soaking allows contaminated solvent into all areas of the gun — contaminants dry and remain in areas not visible to the eye, eventually affecting your application. If a gun washer is not available, disassembling the gun and using an airbrush cleaning kit is a far better alternative.

A turbine is a great alternative where mobility is a key factor. It redirects air through the motor and hose to the gun, powered by an electric motor that plugs into a standard outlet. This is ideal for painters doing interior work across multiple locations — cabinets, doors, residential, industrial, and mobile auto touch-up and bumper repair are all perfect applications. A major advantage is that turbines run continuously for long periods without the risk of running out of air.

Yes. Turbines are the preferred choice for automotive touch-up and bumper repair technicians. The key consideration is that turbine air is moisture-free and warmer than compressed air, getting warmer as the motor runs longer. This causes paint to flash slightly quicker, which a few quick reducer adjustments will resolve. In all applications, keep the turbine away from overspray to avoid dirtying filters and restricting airflow.