CONDITION
CAUSE
CORRECTION
Starved spray pattern
Inadequate material flow.
Low atomization air pressure.
Back fluid adjusting screw out to first thread,
or change to larger tip size.
Increase air pressure and rebalance gun.
Excessive overspray
Too much atomization air pressure.
Gun too far from work surface.
Improper stroking (arcing, gun motion too
fast).
Reduce pressure.
Adjust to proper distance.
Move at moderate pace, parallel to work
surface.
Excessive fog
Too much or too fast-drying thinner.
Too much atomization (air pressure.)
Remix properly.
Reduce air pressure.
Dry spray
Air pressure too high.
Gun tip too far from work surface.
Gun motion too fast.
Gun out of adjustment.
Reduce air pressure.
Adjust to proper distance.
Slow down.
Adjust.
Fluid leaking from
packing nut
Packing nut loose.
Packing worn or dry.
Tighten, do not bind needle.
Replace or lubricate.
Fluid leaking or
dripping from front of
gun
Packing nut too tight.
Dry packing.
Fluid tip or needle worn or damaged.
Foreign matter in tip.
Fluid needle spring broken.
Wrong size needle or tip.
Adjust.
Lubricate.
Replace tip and needle.
Clean.
Replace.
Replace.
Fluid dripping or
leaking from bottom of
cup
Cup loose on gun.
Cup gasket worn or missing below cup.
Cup threads dirty.
Tighten.
Replace cup gasket.
Clean.
Runs and sags
Too much material flow.
Material too thin.
Gun tilted on an angle, or gun motion too
slow.
Adjust gun or reduce fluid flow.
Mix properly or apply light coats.
Hold gun at right angle to work and adapt to
proper gun technique.
Thin, sandy coarse finish
drying before it flows
out
Gun too far from surface.
Too much air pressure.
Improper thinner being used.
Check distance. Normally approximately 8".
Reduce air pressure and check spray pattern.
Follow paint manufacturer's mixing
instructions.
Thick, dimpled finish
"orange peel"
Gun too close to surface.
Too much material coarsely atomized.
Air pressure too low.
Improper thinner being used.
Material not properly mixed.
Surface rough, oily, dirty.
Check distance. Normally approximately 8".
Follow paint manufacturer's mixing
instructions.
Increase air pressure or reduce fluid flow.
Follow paint manufacturer's mixing
instructions.
Follow paint manufacturer's mixing
instructions.
Properly clean and prepare.
TROUBLESHOOTING
EN
77-3043-R5 (8/2020)
12 / 14
www.carlisleft.com
