Proper care will ensure smooth operation of your gelcoat gun, maintain its long life, and ensure perfect results from the equipment each time it is used. Care will help prevent the following common problems arising from neglect. Follow this guide for the effective maintenance and cleaning of your gelcoat gun.

Immediately Clean After Use

Cleaning of the gelcoat gun immediately after use is paramount to avoid the gelcoat from hardening and, in consequence, clogging the gun; this might lead to poor performance and to more maintenance, mainly in RTM/Resin Transfer Molding.

First, it is important to disconnect the gelcoat gun from any air supply. According to the manufacturer's guidelines, carefully dismantle the gun and all the accessories from parts such as the nozzle, cup, and all other removable components. This way, you will have access to any parts that later may have made contact with gelcoat.

Then, use a compatible solvent to flush out any remaining gelcoat residue, like acetone or a specialized gelcoat cleaner. Fill the cup of the gun with the solvent and spray until the solvent comes out clean. This way, the gelcoat residue that is found on the internal components can be dissolved and washed out of the gun.

Thoroughly clean the nozzle and cup upon completion of flushing, and soak the same in the solvent to dissolve any residual gelcoat buildup. Use a soft brush or cloth to scrub these components; in particular, clean the orifice of the nozzle to prevent clogging. For a final touch, make sure there is no gel coat left within the nozzle or on the cup; even a little piece could play hell with your performance.

Finally, wipe all parts dry using a clean cloth or compressed air. Moisture in the gun may cause rust or other forms of damage to the gun. Once it is dry, you can go ahead and assemble the gun, ensuring that the parts are in the right position and that they fit properly.

Routine Maintenance

You must carry out routine maintenance to keep your gelcoat gun in top working conditions and reduce overrated costly repair. Start by checking the gun occasionally to see if there is any sign of wearing. Check for leaks, cracks, or damaged seals. Repair damages by replacing worn or broken parts immediately. Ignoring any such symptom will lead to reduced performance and, in fact, other damages.

Following that, lubricate the moving parts in the gun, such as the trigger and needle assembly, with light lubrication. This only goes to reduce friction, increase the rate of operation smoothly, hence experiencing spray patterns more frequently and good results in general.

Also, ensure the filters in the gelcoat gun are inspected regularly. Filters are what keep debris out of your spray system; if you get plugged up, it is going to affect finish quality. Replace any filters that are clogged up or damaged to keep the gun efficient.

Store your gun in a clean, dry storage area when it is not in use. Protecting the gun from contamination will keep your gun from getting damaged and will maintain the performance that you demand from the tool over time. To keep the gun in the best shape possible, invest in a gun case or place a piece of cloth over the tool when storing it away.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best maintenance, you might find that there is something wrong with your gelcoat gun. Here's how to address some common problems:

If you notice an uneven spray pattern or that the flow is decreasing, this indicates that the nozzle has been blocked. Dismantle the gun and clean the nozzle with the help of a solvent and a brush. Make sure there is no gelcoat remaining to continue working properly.

Air leakages can affect the gun while operating. Inspect all connections and seals for looseness or damage, and tighten or replace where necessary. If air leakage problems are corrected immediately, a constant pressure while spraying will result, with consistent spray quality.

Internal buildup or insufficient cleaning can lead to inconsistent spray. If you notice this, take the gun apart and clean all the internal parts. Ensure there is no residue gelcoat remaining for consistent spray in the future.

Phoenix Equipment — Your Trusted Source for Industrial Tools

Many other industrial tools are available at Phoenix Equipment, and among them is a very dependable tool designed for the ease of using and hard-wearing material that has been processed and perfect in composite manufacturing: Gelcoat Gun. This is part of the philosophy of quality and customer satisfaction: to provide you with the means needed to achieve professional results with your projects.