Expert: maura macaluso - 11/7/2008

Question
Hello!
I am desperate.  I just bought a new spray gun (Kobalt small gravity feed) and am painting a vintage dresser.  It wasn't painted, just stained, so I sanded, and sprayed the primer on with the old sprayer, and now am trying to spray the latex paint on.  It looks terrible!  It truly looks like some kid graffitied all over it!  I am freaking out!  This is a beautiful dresser and will look amazing painted red.  I have adjusted the fluid control knob and pattern knob endlessly, but with little results.  Can you help me figure it out?

Answer
Hi Julie, Is it possible that the primer, which is thicker than paint, has somehow dried inside the tubes or nozzle and created a partial obstruction somewhere in the system?  You may have to clean all parts of the system manually by taking it apart as much as possible and examining each part. You may need to use an object such as a straightened wire hanger to get into the tubing to clear any blockage.


When guns become faulty and don't spray correctly, I completely disassemble them, and soak the parts in lacquer thinner for a while. Lacquer thinner is pretty strong, and will soften the old paint enough so that you can clean it out. You say it is a gravity feed gun, remove the paint holder, and check all openings for dried paint.  There may even be a filter somewhere between the paint holder and nozzle. Check it for clogs. Fill the container with lacquer thinner, and try to spray the lacquer thinner. You may have to adjust your paint volume knob, and you air mixture knob to get the right combination. The main problem is usually dried paint causing an obstruction, but sometimes, the thickness of the paint you're trying to spray will not let the gun spray and the paint will need to be diluted a bit. Check how thin/thick your paint is. Oil base paint requires paint thinner as a reducer for the paint to allow it to spray properly. Water-based paints can be thinned with water and lacquer requires lacquer thinner. Most paints require a trial and error approach to get the right mixture for your gun. I think the Kobalt gravity spray gun is sold by Lowes, if you are still having trouble with it, check with Lowes to see if it can be returned as defective. In the future, always clean the gun out immediately after using it so it doesn't dry and cause a real headache.
Thanks for your question and good luck with your project.