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Salvaging AAA Nozzles

3/8/19       
Pat

This has happened to me a few times now. I broke off a piece of the little tip cleaning needles and trashed a $70 nozzle. Any tips on how to salvage the nozzle once this happens?

Thanks,
Pat

3/8/19       #2: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
herb johnson

i don't use cleaning needles for that reason buy an ultrasonic cleaner with polychem w based cleaner and throw away the tip cleaning needles, the ultrasonic cleaner will keep your tips clean

good luck
herb j

3/8/19       #3: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
Pat

Thanks, Herb.
What type of ultrasonic cleaner? Like one used for jewelry? I'm spraying all waterborne finishes if that makes a difference.

Pat

3/9/19       #4: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
david zaret Member

hi pat - just curious, what are you spraying? i do a lot of waterbased as well out of a kremlin.

i have found that blowing acetone at very high pressure does a pretty good job cleaning the nozzles after waterbased finish. sometimes i let it soak overnight, and then blow it out.

-- dz

3/9/19       #5: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
Pat

David,
Spraying various waterborne products, mostly Target Coatings pigmented and clearcoats, some ML Campbell, and occasionally other products. Using a C.A. Technologies AAA pump and gun. Tips are very similar to Kremlin.

The advice about soaking and cleaning is good, but does anyone have any ideas about how to salvage a tip once the wire cleaning needle breaks off? I plan to try to stop using them, but there are times when nothing else seems to work.

3/9/19       #6: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
herb johnson

i just buy one off of ebay for about 75 dollars, its large enough to do other things,

getting a small sliver like a .11 size out of a .13 opening, don't know if i have any advice on that but heck if you get an ultrasonic cleaner it might work, but i really don't know, once you get a u sonic cleaner y ou will really like it

good luck herb j

3/11/19       #7: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
Robert

Pat,
Did you call Ras at CAT !?
He usually has solutions to any trouble With all his experience.
I too own a H2O CAT Peak pump, been using acetone, leaving the tip soaking over a length period, then "gently" use these tiny needles file to clean before blowing air ( in a rag as the other tiny black "Opti-tip" part will simply fly off adding more frustration and cost as I .....learned ;0! )
As for you current trouble, humm ??...I'd call Ras, surly he can either suggest many option or better, service your tip !!

All the best mate !!

3/11/19       #8: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
Pat

Good idea, Robert. Sounds like something I'd recommend!

Cheers,
Pat

3/11/19       #9: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
herb johnson

unfortunately there is only one good way or call it the best way to clean a tip{ or any other part related to a spray gun and or pump} that is with an ultrasonic cleaner, you use no solvent, no tip cleaning needles

as our coatings are getting thicker and produce harder finish and
with the cost of ultrasonic cleaners so low, it is the only way to go, fast, cheaper, and a better clean, no way blowing out your nozzle with acetone nor digging around with a tip cleaner will get close to the job of an ultrasonic cleaner if you save one tip the u sonic cleaner is virtually paid for, let alone your labor with digging around tip a tip cleaning needle

buy two tips, put one in a u sonic cleaner for a period of time, boom ready to go, then clean your second tip.

not sure {but possible } any eqpt mfg is going to recommend something that they don't sell

that is why this board is so great, we are here to help others in this crazy business.

good luck
herb j

3/12/19       #10: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
Matt Meadows

Ultrasonic cleaners are great, be sure to get one that's heated. I don't use mine all that often, but when I do, it's glorious.

As for getting that needle tip out, put it in the freezer, or try to freeze the needle tip using an upside down can of the pressurized computer cleaner air stuff. I've found this seems to shrink the steel needle more than the carbide tip, and another needle usually can poke it out.

3/12/19       #11: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
herb johnson

matt great idea , one that i will use in the future thx

3/14/19       #12: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
Shane

I use Crest Ultrasonics…… Stainless unit with heat.and be sure to order a parts basket... they are sold separate...
Use polychem acrastrip 3:1 solution/water..
Do not leave aluminum parts for more than 2 hours or chromed parts for over 3 hours to soak... chrome will be attacked/discolored and aluminum with deteriorate …. I can't count how many aircaps my finishers have ruined by leaving them overnight in solution....
It will absolutely clean your equiptment spotless with zero effort.... Keep the solution clean by draining and straining in fine strainers to remove the solids or it will begin to form a sludge in the bottom and start to bake/stick to bottom of tub.... really tough to scrub out if not taken care of...

3/15/19       #13: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
Robert

Question for you guys using water born with there AAA !! (CAT or other brands !)

Although I found VERY interesting the outcome & recommendations as to solving the nozzles tip here ( Going ultrasonic !)
I have another type of trouble with my CAT AAA outfit !!
Rusting sealing fittings tips !?
See attached photos.

Bear in mind, none of them goes long time with out cleaning, top usage is +/-3hr !!...then, after usages a flush & cleaning then leaving hose ends tip "open" to sorta let them breathe

Could have open another thread...but there seams to have some good experienced AAA users / trouble shooters - solvers here ;0))

Cheers !, Robert


View higher quality, full size image (1632 X 1224)


View higher quality, full size image (1224 X 1632)

3/15/19       #14: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
Pat

Robert,
I haven't seen that on my CAT, but I have noticed that the newer spray tips are much more prone to rust. Changes to the product now that they're owned by Wagner?

BTW, thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'll probably go ahead and order an ultrasonic cleaner.

Pat

3/15/19       #15: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
herb johnson

here is your problem unless you buy a h20 pump system on the cat systems you get plated steel fittings, if you buy an h20 system you get a stainless steel insert to the fitting, then you have no issue with wb's, so just go ahead an order a different hose from cat. i had the issue with an cat till i changed out the fluid hose, you are doing nothing wrong, you'll enjoy the ultrasonic cleaner

good luck herb j

3/15/19       #16: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
Robert Member

Herb ...

Mine is a H2o system, only +/- 1yr½ old ;0/ !!

The fluid hose that came w/it is reg plated steel fittings !! (same as air one)

Other fluid connections are S.Steel and fine.
I've sent last week a complaint to CAT ( Ras) still waiting for them to "through" a solution !!

Defiantly on my list is one heated ultrasonic cleaner....for this and many other great usage !!

3/16/19       #17: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
herb johnson

one other point always leave your fluid lines wet never let them dry out, increases chances of having any residual paint harden in the lines, i am not saying you are not flushing just keep the hoses wet with either water or a combo of water and acrastrip

good luck herb j

3/18/19       #18: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
Shane

Herb is correct...… leave your lines pumped with an acrastrip mixture.... if you flush the pump clean with your solvent(Be it either water or solvent based) you can introduce a clean bucket of polychem into the system and use it over and over and over by pumping it back into a clean container.... this is how we run production on well over 20 AAA pumps daily..... the lines are always full of polychem mixture and gkeeps everything nice and clean inside and prevents any build-up inside the lines and crevices.... whenever I go to do a teardown on a fluid section for repair everything is nice and clean inside..

3/18/19       #19: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
Robert Member

Herb & Shane, Thank you for this Acrastip tip !
After 18yr in this business (Woodworking)….I love the fact I can learn about new stuff !!
This Acrastrip, best I can search as of today, is still not available here in Canada, maybe an equivalent, me to find out !!

Question though, even if I replace my acetone water mix with this “Acrastrip”, I’m still…..say mixed thoughts on my rust fitting tip situation !!

If I assume right from your advice, after usage while cleaning the fluid line, you guys don’t ever unscrew either fluid ends ??….witch, if I get this right…..avoids just that…..the rusting end I’m getting in my fitting sealing ends ??
I mostly ever unscrew the fluid end at the pump, but at the gun end, every time !!

We all know rust is oxidation is made by air, but…..on the other hand, I tend to be hesitant about a throughout cleaning if some “joints” are left unchecked....ever so at the gun end, where there's a filter !!

Thks, Robert

3/19/19       #20: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
Shane

Only time I ever crack open fittings is if I'm doing repair or replacement.... you should be able to find polychem no problem or some sort of replacement... I assume it's chemistry / PH is on the Base side and a strong surfactant …… It attacks dried coatings by penetrating them and doesn't allow them to stick to the surfaces.. allows them to be suspended and flushed out of the system or off the parts...

3/19/19       #21: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
herb johnson

look imho you are making the cleaning of the pump harder than you need to, leave the pump wet with acrastrip,

why unscrew the ends of the hoses, there is no need do that that i can think of, it imho will only cause you problems

if you flush the lines, imho there is absolutely no need to take stuff apart unless you are using a 2k and forget to run it out of the pump before the 2k thinks it is on a piece of wood

here is my take on a complete and thorough cleaning, flush the pump till the cleaning comes out clear and non tacky to the fingers, then screw the tip back on, crank the pressure up , the fluid pressure up to 80 psi, and no it will not hurt the pump , hose etc as they are rated typcially at 4x the max pressure output of the pump, trigger , burp the gun about five times, high pressure clean remove teh tip, put it in acrastrip, screw on the air cap so that if someone drops the gun , the air cap threads don't get damaged and stoved over, don't over think it

from what i can tell of shane's previous posts he knows what he is doing as he is i believe running a large production line, and his advice is sound,

but as always you have to do what you are comfortable with and old habits, trust me are hard to break, dont over think it , it is a robot , just a pneumatic double acting pump and manual spray gun

good luck
herb j

3/19/19       #22: Salvaging AAA Nozzles ...
Robert Member

Shane….Herb, MANY THANKS for those sound advises !!

Yes, I admit modestly, I may “over” kill by my cleaning habit on my AAA syst., but to my defense, not excuses….it come from lack of info, reflections….and influenced by yrs, yrs of cleaning my pressure pot and also my few gravity guns….all & only with water base since 2000

Cheers from (near Montreal, Qc)…. ;0)


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