Troubleshooting

In the following topics, there are potential causes for problems, possible fixes for the problems, and questions to ask that are repeated more than once. The reason is because one thing can cause more than one problem. In general, these helpful ideas should be considered to limit your potential for problems.

• Use a system supplied by one manufacturer. This includes stains, lacquers, colorants, additives, solvents, etc. Staying with one manufacturer allows you to follow their recommendations and take full advantage of their expertise. By mixing products, manufacturers’ expertise is lost due to the vast number and variety of products. A manufacturer will be an expert on their products only.
• Every product is unique in some way. Every product has something making it unique, otherwise, there would be no need for so many products. Some properties making a product unique are dry time, durability, viscosity, percent solids, and application performance. The key for success is knowing your specific products, in what situations they work best, and defining what you expect and need from the product.
• Small changes can make a difference. Although changes may seem small, if their potential impact is not understood, problems can be the result. Equipment changes (tip size, air pressures, part changes), environmental changes (temperature, humidity, air flow), personnel changes, and product changes (more or less added to a product, change to a different product) are some examples to consider.
• When in doubt, ask and test. Many problems are a result of going forward without asking questions or testing a specific system. Manufacturers are experts of their products, and usually knowledgeable about products in their field even if they are not the manufacturer. This is most important where an unusual system will be used, new products are being introduced, or when products from different manufacturers are used together. The old adage applies here; It is better to be safe than sorry.

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