Clean cured gelcoat from spray gun

Discussion in 'Materials' started by mrdebian, Nov 17, 2022.

  1. mrdebian
    Joined: Apr 2021
    Posts: 98
    Likes: 11, Points: 8
    Location: Greece

    mrdebian Junior Member

    Hi all,

    Somehow I manage to have a spray gun with cured gelcoat (a little bit).
    It is inside the threads that nose is going.
    Is there any material that will help cleaning the gun?
    Acetone doesn't work (left it a day and try with a brush, no luck).

    Any advise?

    Thanks a lot
     
  2. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    Try a heat gun and a brass brush.
     
    mrdebian likes this.
  3. Blueknarr
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,455
    Likes: 416, Points: 83
    Location: Colorado

    Blueknarr Senior Member

    Time to buy a new gun.

    Cheep guns work best with gelcoat.
     
    kapnD likes this.
  4. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
    Posts: 16,803
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    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    I buy throw-aways from Harbor Freight. Heat will soften the gelcoat and can be brushed off. It is probably more work than it is worth though.
     
  5. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
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    Location: Monroe WA

    ondarvr Senior Member

    Put it in a closed container of acetone for several weeks, it may soften the gel coat. Like mentioned heat may help, but not the two together.

    Cheap Harbor Freight guns work, but if you need bigger tips Amazon has 2.5mm tip guns for $35.00 that work well. The cheap Harbor Freight guns have 1.4mm tips, while they work well for very small repairs, or with paint, it can be difficult to get gel coat to spray through them.
     
  6. KD8NPB
    Joined: Mar 2018
    Posts: 162
    Likes: 39, Points: 28
    Location: South Carolina

    KD8NPB Senior Member

    Methylene chloride will soften after a few days.
    Caution ; known carcinogen, banned/restricted in EU I think?
     

  7. redreuben
    Joined: Jan 2009
    Posts: 2,000
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    Location: South Lake Western Australia

    redreuben redreuben

    Just burn it off.
     
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