I will also share something that I have found useful since using the NIC products over the last few years regarding mixing and agitation.. . . . .
Even after you thoroughly mix, agitate/shake and screen/filter the material into your HVLP gun, the solids can begin to separate while in the cup of the gun if you fart around.
I found this to be especially noticeable when coating parts for multiple complete rifles ( I usually to between 3 and 6 complete rifles per session) because it simply takes a while to work through that many parts.
So here is my tip:
If you are using an HVLP gun, you can place a piece of paper towel, rag or similar soft material tightly against the nozzle face, . . . . pull the trigger and the blow by air will be diverted back into the cup of the gun. This gives you a nice, even agitation of the material sitting in the cup. Obviously this should only be done with the top or cap secured to the cup. The vent hole in the cap will keep the blow back air from popping the cap off. The usual low air feed that you run with these guns and materials make for a mild and even bubbling from the bottom of the cup which keeps the solids mixed well on any remaining content. I will do this once every few minutes while coating.
As soon as I use blow back air to keep the material mixed in the cup, I will make sure the face of the nozzle is wiped clean and do a light "puff" with the gun onto my disposable backing paper to make sure the exit and needle are clean and clear before starting on the next few parts.
This does not harm the gun, it is fast and easy, cannot be over done and will help you keep your coatings more uniform as you exhaust that batch of material from the gun.
Hope this helps.
T.
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