Before using your spray gun it is a really good idea to always test any paint spray gun with a thin solvent or water before attempting to spray paint with the spray gun.

Using a thin substance such as water or paint thinners will make it easy to identify any problems early and avoid wastage and creating a mess with actual paint.

To make it easy to know which adjustment is making the difference always start by setting all your air spray gun as follows.

1. Close the spray pattern fan control valve completely by turning it clockwise to closed position.
2. Turn the fluid control knob clockwise until it too is completely closed. The fluid control knob is usually just under the spray pattern fan control and is at the back of the spray gun holding the paint fluid needle in place.
3. If there is an air pressure/flow control valve in the handle of your air spray gun open this valve by turning it clockwise to the full open position.
4. Set the air pressure regulator from your air compressor low. Approximately 25 to 30 pounds per square inch, or 170 to 200 kPa.
5. Connect the airline to your spray gun from the air regulator and place a small amount of the thinners or water in the spray gun pot.
6. Squeeze the trigger on the spray gun and air should begin to flow through the gun.
7. Begin opening the fluid control knob in a counterclockwise direction while holding the trigger for the spray gun on. Atomised fluid from the paint pot will begin to flow from the nozzle in a conical spray pattern.
8. Begin opening the spray pattern fan control valve, if fitted to your spray gun, to create a wider fan pattern.
9. Alternate between increasing the fluid flow and the spray fan pattern while monitoring the level of atomisation.
10. If it appears that the centre of the spray fan pattern is becoming heavier and under atomised begin increasing the air pressure to the spray gun at the air pressure regulator between your spray gun and the air compressor.

Should atomisation be inadequate at higher air pressures, which cause increased over spray and decrease transfer efficiency, a different spray gun or alternative spray gun needle, nozzle, aircap, set up or additional product thinning may be required.

Additionally if atomisation is poor or uneven refer to paint spray gun fan pattern troubleshooting hints as damage, wear or dried paint build up may be reducing the overall performance of your spray gun.