Let’s keep our word to a few thousand. From this point on, whenever we refer to a “sprayer,” we mean any air-assisted sprayer that is utilized for trellised and free-standing perennial trees, vines, cane, and bush crops. Manufacturers appear to have responded by producing a different sprayer—or sometimes multiple sprayers—for each specialty crop because of the considerable structural and morphological variability this represents. The reason there is no one explanation for the optimal way to operate a sprayer is due to its variability in design. However, three basic mechanical systems are present in all sprayers, regardless of their variations. These devices cooperate to produce air to move droplets of a liquid solution to a target and to meter the droplets.
Essential Factors To Remember When Choosing An Industrial Spray Pump
It’s critical to select the appropriate spray pump for your application. There are many factors to take into account, but the most important one is whether the coating you want to apply will spray. Obtain an up-to-date datasheet for the coating you need to apply before answering these questions. If you have a one-time task, keep in mind that you can rent a spray pump, so choose a sprayer that will fulfill 90–95% of your needs.
What level of pressure is necessary for proper atomization of the coating? This can be obtained from the data sheet that your coating supplier has provided. Which application rate is necessary for you? How many square feet or meters you wish to apply in a shift will determine this.
What is the duration between mixing and the inability to apply your coating, or its pot-life? A 2K system is needed for products with a pot life of less than 30 minutes. Does agitation help your coating? Find out from your coatings supplier if agitation is necessary before spraying zinc primers. Does heating be necessary for your coating? For some extremely thick coatings to become viscous enough to pass through a spray pump, heating may be necessary.
Advantages of AIrless Spraying Over Conventional Spraying
The main purpose of an airless sprayer is to apply coatings that are challenging to apply with traditional air spray equipment (a cup gun or pressure pot). The amount of coating that needs to be applied is the other decisive factor. Air spray to airless spray conversions usually occur when heavy industrial coatings need to be applied. These frequently call for pressures greater than what an air spray system can accurately atomize. Industrial coatings typically need to be applied in quantities greater than what an air spray system can handle.
As a 2k system instantaneously mixes on demand, there is no wasted batch at the end of the shift. Waste material is only what is in the hose, mix tube, and gun already mixed.
When to Use an Airless Pump with Multiple Components
Spray pump usage takes on a new dimension with plural component spraying. Upon determining that a spray pump is necessary for successful spraying, the next choice to be made is between 1k and 2k equipment. Coatings for 1k (single component) must have a pot life of at least thirty minutes (the interval between mixing and setting). Any lower than that will necessitate a 2k system. Reducing human error during mixing is another benefit of 2K systems—as long as the control is programmed with the proper ratio. The decrease in material waste is a third benefit.
Regular Problems With Spray Pumps
Zinc primers are one kind of coating that is challenging to apply with an airless spray pump. These coatings are, by nature, powders suspended in solvents. This raises two issues. 1. The powder tends to separate from the solvent in suspension. 2. The powder tends to “pack in,” separating from the solvent in the pump lines and gun due to the pressures an airless spray pump produces. To combat this, zinc primers must be applied with a low-pressure pump, such as the Warrior, and require continuous mechanical agitation (which can be provided by an optional air-powered component).
The loss of finish quality is the primary trade-off when selecting an airless pump with a high volume over one with a lower volume air system spray. A traditional air spray system will always offer the best finish quality (such as mirror-like automotive). However, when utilizing an airless spray pump, there are a few choices to help enhance finish quality. 1. An airless gun finishing tip with a second orifice at the back to aid in breaking the coating’s atomization into smaller particles 2. To further break up the atomization, an air-assisted airless gun has a tiny air feed to the tip holder.
Symptoms you might need a pump replacement
- makes no sound
- produces no materials
- uneven and tails consistently
- excessive noise
What You’ll Need
- Phillips screwdriver
- T15 star tool
- Shifter
Before you start, note these
- Don’t rotate the brass gear
- No fluid in the machine
-
disconnected from power
How to Change the Graco Replacement Pump
Invest in a genuine Graco pump. Select the appropriate pump for the intended machine:
- Pump 17P185 – Graco Ultra Corded 17M362
- Graco Ultra Cordless Pump 17P186 – 17N221
- Pump 17P187 – Graco Ultra Max Cordless 17N225
- Using the star tool, remove the two back Phillips screws and all front-facing Phillips screws (the “name” side of the sprayer).
- Take out the screw from the prime switch’s side and then the switch itself.
- This is the time to take the sprayer’s casing off.
- With a screwdriver and shifter, remove the existing pump and disconnect the earthing cable.
- Insert the pump into the wards and take off the safety cover.
- Press the motor back into position while keeping the brass gear still.
- Make sure the Ultra Max earthing cable is positioned correctly, then swap out the front casing and screw back in the opposite order.
- Restart, try, and have fun!
Conclusion
Sprayers boost output and efficiency, but professional painting contractors must maintain and properly care for them. Include these four procedures in your routine maintenance to help maintain the best possible performance from your spray equipment.
