Anest Iwata

We have assembled these resources to provide a body of information that is available via the we, 24/7. In addition to FAQ (frequesntly asked questions), we are providing paint company charts, literature, instruction manuals and parts breakdowns to assist the ANEST IWATA user in a time of need. We hope you will find these resources helpful from time to time and you can always call our customer service line if the answer is not found here.

Spray Guns
Air Assisted Airless Spray Guns
Pumps

Industrial Products & Parts Catalog
Automotive Products Catalog
Supernova Spray Gun Catalog
English Manual Spray Gun Catalog
French Manual Spray Gun Catalog
Spanish Manual Spray Gun Catalog
Automatic Spray Guns
Custom Painting Catalog
Air Gunsa
Air-assisted Airless 13:1
Air-assisted Airless 17:1
Diaphragm Pump Systems
W71-W77
Wood Coatings

As more and more people rely upon the internet for information, we have found that many people need to have literature on demand. We have assembled downloadable literature for your convenience.

Product Catalogs & Spec Sheets
Parts & Instruction Manuals

Accelerator: A substance that when added to a paint will speed up the rate of cure.

Acetone: A very fast evaporating solvent with high solvency for certain types of compounds and resins. Has a characteristic ether-like odor.

Acrylic Urethane: A coating based on urethane chemistry, which also includes acrylic chemistry as part of the cross-linked polymer backbone (see Urethane).

Activator: A necessary component used to provide a chemical reaction to cure paint. (See Hardener).

Additives: Chemical substances added to a finish in relatively small amounts to impart or improve desirable properties. Examples are UV screeners, flow agents, defoamers, fish eye eliminators, etc.

Adhesion: The phenomenon by which one material is attached to another by means of surface attraction.

Air Cap: The front of a spray gun nozzle that directs compressed air against the paint to form and shape an atomized cloud of droplets.

Air Spray: A system of applying paint in the form of tiny droplets. The paint is broken into droplets (atomized) by a spray gun as a result of being forced into a high velocity air stream. The shape and paint density of the resulting droplet cloud can be controlled by air pressure, paint viscosity and gun tip geometry.

Airless Spray: A system of applying paint in which the paint, under high pressure, is passed through a nozzle and broken into droplets (atomized) when it enters the lower pressure region outside the gun tip.

Alkyd: A coating based on a polyester binder. Such polyester are chemical combinations of molecules that contain more than one acid or alcohol group.

Ambient: Usual or surrounding conditions.

Aqueous: Describes a water-based solution or suspension.

Atomization: The formation of tiny droplets of liquid as in the paint spraying process. Atomization is usually caused by turbulence in an air stream, or a sudden drop in pressure.

Baking: Application of heat to cure and dry a coating. In automotive refinishing, baking is used to speed up the drying of air-drying finishes and is sometimes called force drying. The metal temperature in refinish baking usually does not exceed 180 degrees.

Basecoat: A color coat requiring a clearcoat. The basecoat provides color effects and appearance, while the clearcoat provides gloss as well as UV and chemical resistance.

Binder: The paint material that forms the film. So-called because it binds the pigment and any additives present into a solid durable film.

Biodegradable: An organic materials capacity for decomposition as a result of attack by microorganisms. Sewage treatment routines are based on this property. Phosphates and chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDT) are not biodegradable.

Blending: The mixing together of two or more materials; or the gradual shading of paint from one panel to adjacent areas to assure color consistency.

Blistering: The development of hollow bubbles or water droplets in a paint film. It can occur rapidly or over a long period of time after application. Blistering may occur from the presence of unreacted acid within the paint film.

Blushing: The appearance of whitish or cloudy areas in a paint film, caused by absorption and retention of moisture in a drying paint film.

Buffing Compound: A soft paste containing fine abrasive in a neutral medium, used to eliminate fine scratches and polish topcoat.

Build: The amount of paint film deposited on a substance (the depth or thickness of which is measured in mils.

Carcinogen: A material that has either been found to cause cancer in humans or to cause cancer in animals and therefore is considered capable of causing cancer in humans. Findings are based on the feeding of large quantities of a material to test animals or by the application of concentrated solutions to the animal? skin. A material is considered to be a carcinogen if (1) it has been evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and found to be a carcinogen or potential carcinogen; (2) it is listed as a carcinogen or potential carcinogen in the Annual Report on Carcinogens, published by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) latest edition; (3) it is regulated by OSHA as a carcinogen; or (4) if one positive study is published.

Clearcoat: A paint containing no pigment or only transparent pigment, which provides gloss and durability when used as protection over a basecoat.

Clouding: The formation or presence of a haze in a liquid or in a film.

Color Coat: The single stage or basecoat that provides the visible color of a coating system.

Color Match: Achieved when the applied color duplicates all aspects of the original color? appearance in hue, value and chroma.

Color Sanding: The sanding of a paint film to prepare for buffing or recoating.

Compounding: Use of an abrasive material, either by hand or by machine, to smooth and bring out the gloss of the applied topcoat.

Cross-coat: A method of painting application often used with high solids paint. The technique involves a side-to-side application followed by a top-to-bottom application with very little flash time.

Delamination: The loss of adhesion between two layers of paint, causing material to separate from the painted surface or substrate.

Dew Point: The temperature at which water vapor condenses from the air. The dew point varies with the relative humidity.

Dirt Nibs: Small specks of foreign material in a dried paint film. Then can be removed by scuff sanding and polishing.

DOI (Distinctness of Image): A measurement of the accuracy of a reflection in a paint film.

DFT (Dry Film Thickness): The resultant film thickness of a coating after it has reached its final state of dry or cure.

Dry Sanding: A method of abrading the surface by hand or machine without the aid of any lubricant (water).

Dry Spray: Sprayed paint which loses so much solvent in the air that it becomes too dry to flow out over the surface. This normally occurs when the chosen reducer is too fast for the atmospheric conditions. Dry spray has a lower gloss than the normally sprayed surface.

Durability: Refers to the retention of gloss and performance properties in a paint film during the use of exposure to sunlight.

Enamel: A term with several meanings: (1) a paint which forms a film by chemical union of its component molecules during cure; (2) a paint having a highly glossy, finished appearance; (3) in shop terminology, any paint which is not lacquer.

Epoxy: A type of paint, adhesive or plastic noted for high mechanical strength, good adhesion and chemical resistance.

Evaporation: The change from liquid to a gas. When solvents leave a wet paint film, they usually do so by evaporation.

Evaporation Rate: The speed with which any liquid evaporates.

Film Thickness Gauge: A device used to measure the coating thickness (film build) on a substrate. Magnetic units are used to measure the thickness of ferrous metals; electronic units are used on non-ferrous substrates.

Fish Eyes: A surface depression or crater in the wet paint film. Fish eyes are caused by repulsion of the wet paint by a surface contaminant such as oil or silicone. The depression may or may not reveal the surface under the paint.

Flake Orientation: The appearance of the metallic particles in a paint film during and after dry or cure. Selection of the correct aluminum flakes in the color mixing formula, proper application, etc., will lead to good flake orientation and thus to good color match and appearance.

Flash Point: The temperature at which the vapor of a liquid will ignite when a spark is struck.

Flash Time: The time between paint application and consecutive coats, and/or force dry.Fluid Needle: Parts in a spray gun that opens and closes fluid passages.

Force Dry: A method of accelerating the drying of paint by using heat (see Baking).

Gloss: The ability of a surface to reflect light. Measured by determining the percentage of light reflected from a surface at certain angles.

Gravity-feed Gun: A paint gun with the paint reservoir on the top of the gun, which allows the paint to flow into the spray area by gravity.

Guide Coat: A reference coat. For example: a thin coat of dark or tinted color applied over a primer to provide a visual check for smoothness when sanded.

Hardener: A necessary component specifically designed to ensure cure of an enamel finish. Another name for an activator.

Hiding or Hiding Power: The ability of a paint film to mask the color or pattern of a surface. May be measured while the paint is still wet or after it has dried, and these measurements may differ. Hiding power is measured by determining the minimum thickness at which a film will completely obscure a black and white pattern.

High Solids: Paints are described as having high solids when they contain more than 50-60% solids (by weight). High solids paints have lower VOCs.

Holdout: The ability of a surface to keep the topcoat from sinking in and causing a decrease in appearance or gloss.

Humidity: A measure of the amount of water vapor in the air. Absolute humidity reflects the quantity of moisture in the air compared to the maximum possible moisture content of air at the same temperature. Relative humidity is expressed as a percentage. Humidity has a great effect on the drying time of paints, in particular waterbornes.

HVLP (High Volume, Low Pressure): Describes a paint gun that uses a high volume and low pressure of atomizing air to apply material to a surface. This provides high transfer efficiency and lower overspray.

Isocyanate: A hardening agent used with acrylic urethane and other 2 component reaction type paints. It reacts with acrylic polymer, etc., to form a very durable coating.

Lacquers: Paints that dry by evaporative loss of solvent. The film remains susceptible to attack by the same or similar solvents. Lacquers can be based on nitrocellulose or acrylic resins.

Low Film Build: The condition of a paint film when it is too thin to provide protection to the substrate or withstand environmental conditions.

LVLP: Low Volume, Low Pressure (See HVLP)

Metallic Paint: Paint, which contains metallic pigment, usually in the form of tiny flakes. Generally these are aluminum or mica, and are used to increase the eye-appeal of the finish.

Mica (Pearl): A pigment used to increase the eye-appeal of the finish.

mil: A measure of paint film thickness, equal to one one-thousandth of an inch (0.00l inch).

Mist Coating: A light spray coat of high solvent content material for blending and/or gloss enhancement and metallic control in single-stage color, sometime known as drop coat or dust coat.

Mix Ratio: The proportion of ingredients to be blended together to make a ready-to-spray paint. For example, a clearcoat with a mix ratio of 4:1 requires the mixing of 4 parts of the clearcoat with 1 part activator. Mix ratios are normally done by volume.

Molecule: The smallest possible unit or amount of any substance, which retains the characteristics of that substance.

Orange Peel: An irregularity in the surface of a paint film resulting from the inability of the wet film to level out after being applied. Orange peel appears as a characteristically uneven or dimpled surface to the eye, but usually feels smooth to the touch.

Overall Painting: A type of refinish in which the entire car is completely repainted.

Over-reduce: To add more thinner or reducer to a paint than is normally necessary for application. This is sometimes done in order to lower the paint viscosity, to aid in blending, or to achieve a special color effect.

Overspray: An overlap of dry spray particles on areas that were not meant to be painted, or on previously painted areas where they do not melt in.

Particle Size: The size of the paint particle in a dispersion.

Pigment: Small particles added to paint to influence properties such as color, corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, etc. Pigments may be colored, semitransparent, black, white or colorless. They must be incorporated into a paint system by some dispersion process.

Polishing Compound: A material applied to a vehicle? surface, which removes minor imperfections with minimal cutting action. Buffing restores film to a high gloss appearance.

Pressure-feed Gun: A spray gun equipped with a separate paint container that is pressurized and connected to the spray gun by means of hoses.

Primer: The first coat of paint applied to a substrate, designed to proved adhesion and corrosion resistance.

Primer-sealer: An undercoat which improves adhesion of the topcoat, and which seals old painted surfaces that have been sanded; usually does not require sanding.

Primer-surfacer: An undercoat, which fills small imperfections in the substrate and which usually must be sanded.

Reduce: The ability of a surface to keep the topcoat from sinking in and causing a decrease in appearance or gloss.

Reducer: A solvent used to reduce or thin enamels to sprayable viscosity. (See Thinner)

Sagging: Excessive flow on a vertical surface resulting in drips and other imperfections on the painted surface. Occurs not only when the paint is wet, but also during baking in certain types of paints.

Sealer: An undercoat that enhances adhesion. Provides uniform color holdout and an even, level surface for topcoat application.

Solids: The part of the paint that does not evaporate but stays on the surface to form a film. Usually measured on a weight or volume basis.

Solvent: A liquid, which will dissolve something, usually resins or other binder components. Commonly it is an organic liquid.

Spot Repair: A type of refinish repair job in which a section of the car smaller than a panel is refinished (often called “ding” or “dent” work). The paint is usually blended into the surrounding area.

Spray: Paint is atomized in a spray gun and the stream of atomized paint is directed at the part to be painted. Atomization may be high pressure air, by high pressure stream, by high fluid pressure, or by electrical means in an electrostatic process.

Stabilizer: Something added to paint to prevent degradation.

Tack: The stickiness of a paint film or an adhesive. The time it takes for an air drying paint to reach a tack-free stage is a common measure of drying speed.

Tack Cloth or Rag: A cloth coated with a sticky substance used to remove dirt and lint prior to painting.

Tack Coat: The first enamel coat, applied full and allowed to flash only until it is quite sticky.

Thinner: Solvent added to a lacquer to reduce its viscosity to sprayable consistency. (See Reducer)

Thixotropy: The tendency for the viscosity of a liquid to be shear-rate-dependent. When the liquid is rapidly shaken, brushed or otherwise mechanically disturbed, the viscosity decreases rapidly. Thixotropic behavior is the result molecules or particles in the liquid forming weakly associated structures, which break apart upon agitation.

Topcoat: The final layer of paint applied to a substrate. Several coats of topcoat may be applied in some cases.

Touch Up: A method of repainting performed on a new or used vehicle for any reason. Also refers to correcting minor scratches by a brush, etc.

Two-component System: Materials such as some paints, fillers and adhesives, which require the addition of a hardener or activator to accomplish a chemical reaction, causing them to cure. Also described as 2K.

Undercoat: A first coat, primer, sealer or surfacer applied to the substrate. Frequently used to provide corrosion protection and adhesion.

Urethane: A type of paint or polymer, which results from the reaction of an isocyanate with a hydroxyl containing component. Urethanes are noted for their toughness and abrasion resistance.

UV Stabilizers: Chemicals added to paint to absorb the ultraviolet radiation present in sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation decomposes the polymer molecules in a paint film and thus UV stabilizers are used to prolong paint life.

Vehicle: All of a paint except the pigment. This includes solvents, diluents, resins, gums, driers, etc. The liquid portion of a paint.

Viscosity: The flow rate of a liquid. Solvents affect the fluidity or flowability of the paint. Paint viscosity must allow proper atomization and flowout. Viscosity can be determined by measuring the time it takes for a given amount of liquid to flow through a set orifice.

Waterborne: A type of paint, which uses water as its primary carrier rather than typical organic solvents.

Zahn Cup: A device to measure viscosity. It is calibrated in different sizes (numbers) for different liquids.

When customers have important question sometimes someone else has asked the same question in the past. We have assembled these frequently asked questions for ANEST IWATA end users to find quick solutions. Feel free to post a question that you may have concerning ANEST IWATA equipment.

Spray Guns Questions Ask a question for this category

Q: Does the W400 nozzle/needle kit work on the LPH400 guns?
A: The W400 or the W400LV nozzles and needles are specifically designed for those particular gun models. If you need a LPH400 LV nozzle/needle please chck the parts section of our website to confirm accurate part numbers.

Q: What is the size of fluid inlets for pressure guns?
A: The fluid inlet size depends whether you have a full size or compact size gun. Full size spray guns are 3/8″ and compact size guns are 1/4″.

Q: What is the air inlet size?
A: The air inlet size for all ANEST IWATA spray guns is 1/4″

Q: How can I get a parts breakdown?
A: Please visit the resources section of our website.

Q: What is the minimum compressor that would run the LHP50?
A: The LPH50 requires only 1.8cfm at 13psi therefore, a 1hp compressor would be the minimum to run the LPH50.

Q: Will the needle on a W-77 or a W-71 gun rust when using waterborne paint.
A: Our W-77 and W-71 Spray guns have stainless steel needles. However, the model numbers designated by an “N” have a hardened needle that may rust when waterborne paints are sprayed through them.

Q: Is there a way to identify the tip size of an ANEST IWATA spray gun.
A: Our spray gun nozzles are marked for your convenience. Remove air cap and the size is printed on the side of the nozzle.

Q: What does “Low impact” and “High Impact” mean on 8018 regulator?
A: The 8018 air regulator is marked “Low Impact” and “High Impact” for use with air tools.

Q: Are the needle/nozzles interchangeable?
A: Different combinations make-up different spray configurations. Our nozzles and needles are machine with interchangeable quality. You do not need to purchase matching set to complete rebuilds. Please visit the resources section of our website for particular nozzle, needle and air cap combinations located within the parts catalog.

Q: What is the difference between the W400 & the W200?
A: All 400 full size series spray guns are center post gravity feed. The 200 full size series spray guns are available in different fluid delivery configurations.

Q: What is the inlet pressure for a LPH400LV?
A: The air inlet pressure 16psi with the trigger pulled full.

Q: What is LV Technology?
A: LV Technology is a patented system within ANEST IWATA spray guns for pre-atomizing paint before leaving the nozzle while using less air pressure with lower air consumption than standard nozzles.

Q: What is the difference between a “W” gun & an “LPH” gun?
A: “LPH ” is our acronym for our HVLP spray guns. “W” is our acronym for our series of air-spray guns.

Q: What is a tulip spray pattern?
A: ANEST IWATA’s tulip spray pattern is “U” shaped where typical spray patterns are “V” shaped. The tulip spray patterns “U” shape enables paint to flow directly at specific substrate minimizing overspray. Unlike typical spray patterns that are “V” shaped and create paint overspray due to paint not being able to flow directed at specific substrate.

Spray Gun Maintenance Questions Ask a question for this category

Q: What tool should I use to remove air valve seat set from the gun body?
A: The air valve seat set should be removed with a 10mm allen wrench.

Q: What cup can I use with what gun?
A: Please visit the Products section of our website for further details.

Q: Will gun washers affect the performance of my spray gun?
A: No, however solvent should not be allowed to pass through the air passage and the needle packing may become dried and should be lubricated.

Q: Why is there paint residue in the air passage of my spray gun after placing in gun washer.
A: When using a gun washer your spray gun should always be positioned with the head of the gun angled down. The air inlet of the gun should be capped or sealed or the air valve closed as to not allow fluid into the air passage.

Q: I put my gun back together and I cannot adjust the pattern, what’s wrong?
A: Be sure the Pattern adjust set and the Air adjust set are installed correctly and have not been reversed during re-assembly.

Q: Do I need to remove the fluid & air inlets for thorough cleaning?
A: The Air and Fluid nipples do not need to be removed to thoroughly clean your spray gun. The Air and Fluid nipples should only be removed by qualified service persons.

Q: Can you order needles and nozzles separately or do you have to order them in match sets?
A: Our nozzles and needles are machine with interchangeable quality. You do not need to purchase matching set to complete rebuilds. However some pressure guns and specialty guns we recommend that both nozzle and needle be replaced. Please visit the resources section of our website for particular nozzle, needle and air cap combinations located within the parts catalog.

Q: What should I use to lubricate the moving parts of my spray gun?
A: ANEST IWATA spray guns should be lubricated with non-silicone lube.

Q: Does ANEST IWATA supply maintenance kits and service kits?
A: ANEST IWATA supplies maintenance and service kits for our equipment. Please visit the accessories section of our website for details.

Q: Is it OK to immerse my spray gun in solvent for cleaning?
A: You should never immerse your spray gun in solvent.

Q: After cleaning and reassembling my spray gun, I can not adjust the pattern size. It is always wide open.
A: a. Air adjustment set and the pattern adjustment set are reversed. b. Air cap set is not tight. c. Stem of pattern adjustment set is bent and should be replaced. (We suggest loosening knob of pattern and air adjustment set fully when assembling and disassembling) d. Air cap set and fluid nozzle are not seated properly because the L gasket on air cap set is loose or has been removed. (L gasket needs to be reinstalled or replaced)

Q: How do you convert a LPH 400 into a LPH 400LV or a W400 into a W400 LV?
A: This conversion may be completed by replacing nozzle/needle set-ups. This conversion should be performed by qualified service persons referencing our parts catalog. Please visit the resources section of our website for particular nozzle/needle combinations located within the parts catalog.

Spray Gun Technique Questions Ask a question for this category

Q: Can I spray upside down?
A: Spraying in an upward direction can be achieved by using a pressure gun or our gravity guns with side mounted gravity cup.

Q: What gun is best for base coats?
A: Since materials vary as do personal techniques it is almost impossible to recommend one gun for a particular application. Be sure to check with your coating manufacturer for Nozzle size recommendations.

Q: What gun is best for clear coats?
A: Since materials vary as do personal techniques it is almost impossible to recommend one gun for a particular application. Be sure to check with your coating manufacturer for Nozzle size recommendations.

Q: Will using a HVLP gun slow down my paint job?
A: HVLP technology is designed to reduce overspray and maximize transfer efficiency. HVLP air cap pressure is lower than standard air cap pressure, as a result the paint flow is lower than that of non-HVLP air spray guns. Due to our tulip spray pattern ANEST IWATA’s HVLP spray guns can acheive same spray pattern size at closer distance, therefore increaseing transfer efficiency.

Finishing Equipment Questions Ask a question for this category

Q: What material is the fluid passage on your diaphragm pump?
A: We offer diaphragm pump systems in various configurations that contain stainless steel or aluminum fluid passages.

Q: Are your Air-Assisted Airless pumps single or double action pumps.
A: The 13:1 and 17:1 ratio Multi-Spray (air-assisted airless) systems are double action pumps.

Safety Questions Ask a question about this category

Q: Do you recommend paint storing procedures?
A: We do not recommend any paint storing procedure. Storing paint should always be clarified by following your local and area guidelines or contacting the specific paint manufacturer.

Distributors Questions Ask a question about this category

Q: How do I become a distributor
A: Please visit the distributor section of our website

Q: Who do I contact to place my orders?
A: ANEST IWATA sells our equipment through contracted distributors throughout North America. Please visit the distributor section of our website for further details.

Q: What is your warranty policy?
A: We guarantee our products to be defect free (excluding wear parts) for one year from the date of purchase.

Q: Who is ASET?
A: ASET is Automotive Spray Equipment Technologies, based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are our National Distributor for the Automotive Refinishing marketplace.