I'm getting splatter on my project (sealer coat on a 4" diameter fiberglass rocket) when using my Airgunsa. My medium is Createx Auto-Borne Sealer, White. As I'm spraying, I keep getting splatter droplets on the rocket.

https://imgur.com/lJ1VX0x (Had to post a link, as the image wasn't showing the splatter.)

I've painted several rockets up to this point with no splatter. Now, I'm getting splatter.

How do I fix this?

(Successful paint jobs.)

For those wondering what the project is, it's an all-fiberglass Nike Smoke.

(Yes, I am a rocket geek.)

What are you using to reduce the Createx? If you're using it straight out of the bottle, that's your problem.

wireburn wrote:What are you using to reduce the Createx? If you're using it straight out of the bottle, that's your problem.

Reducing with Createx 4011, as per instructions. Approximately 10%. Runs cleanly off the tongue depressor used for mixing, without forming drops.

I have that same spray gun.

According to the Technical Data Sheet the HVLP version requires 12 CFM at 30 PSI to atomize the paint correctly.

Be sure your Air Compressor puts out that much.

There are a few things that can cause splatter like that.

Product too thick for gun size.
Insufficient air to atomise correctly
Gun held too far from surface
Air leak in nee2dle packing.
Paint residue in holes in aircap

I'd be looking at the first two, after disassembling and cleaning gun. Do some test sprays on paper or scrap using a different paint that you know is the right viscosity.

NFT5 wrote:There are a few things that can cause splatter like that.

Product too thick for gun size.
Insufficient air to atomise correctly
Gun held too far from surface
Air leak in nee2dle packing.
Paint residue in holes in aircap

I'd be looking at the first two, after disassembling and cleaning gun. Do some test sprays on paper or scrap using a different paint that you know is the right viscosity.

The last two seem most likely. I've been successful with the same gun and product in the past, but an insufficient cleaning on my part sounds very likely.

A thorough clean and lube never hurts any gun. The AZ3s are very robust, I have two in the RP version, but just a little fussy about the aircap being perfectly clean. There is an air spreader inside the nose of the gun which is difficult if not impossible to remove without damage if not using the special tool, but I've had no problems with that, although I am careful to flush well when cleaning.

Be very careful when cleaning the small holes in the aircap. Soak well first and use only plastic or wood probes or cleaning tools.

NFT5 wrote:A thorough clean and lube never hurts any gun. The AZ3s are very robust, I have two in the RP version, but just a little fussy about the aircap being perfectly clean. There is an air spreader inside the nose of the gun which is difficult if not impossible to remove without damage if not using the special tool, but I've had no problems with that, although I am careful to flush well when cleaning.

Be very careful when cleaning the small holes in the aircap. Soak well first and use only plastic or wood probes or cleaning tools.

Are pipe stem cleaners acceptable? They're usually some sort of fiber twisted in a wire core.

It is possible to buy special gun cleaning brushes. I have a set that goes down to about 0.8mm with twisted wire cores and solvent resistant bristles. For the really tiny holes I have some much smaller that are made completely of plastic. I also use short lengths of copper wire (softer than the brass that aircaps and fluid tips are made of) but you need to cut them carefully with proper curved blade wire cutters, not side cutters that can squash and distort the end and make a sharp or jagged edge that could scratch.

I copied The Gunman's gun wash machine (link here) and it gave me the cleanest guns ever, recycled the solvent and I didn't need to use brushes at all - the air driven solvent did all the work. Cost about $50 including the second hand laundry tub, various bits of hose and a cheap Schutz gun, plus some fittings I already had. Fast, easy and effective, not to mention about $1500 cheaper than the lowest priced commercial model available.