About the Spray Gun Solution Cup

The plastic solution cup holds up to 4 ounces of liquid, although, rarely if ever, will it be needed to be filled to the brim for a tanning session. The recommended amount of solution for any one spray tanning session is 2 ounces, with no than 3 ounces used for larger clients. An estimate of this amount in the cup would be about halfway filled for 2 ounces and about 2/3 filled for 3 ounces. For more exact measurements, a clear plastic measuring cup marked with ounces and cups is useful.*

The spray gun should be operated in a vertical position with the cup upright as even a slight tilt can result in some solution leakage. Before spraying, firmly twist the lid to reassure it is securely fastened on the cup. The tiny siphon hole in the top of the lid must always remain open and unclogged. Make sure not to spill from this hole, although to do so would require excessive tilting of the gun.

*Angled measuring cups that have measurements on the inside that are also visible from above are particularly handy. Two products that may be considered are the OXO Softworks 8 ounce or 2 ounce angled measuring cup, pictured here. These cups may be found at any cooking outlets, retail stores or grocery stores.

Solution Storage

When finished with the spraying session, it is advisable to empty out any remaining solution and store it in an airtight container. Small containers of about a quart size are recommended, as the solutions will subsequently get used up quickly and (more than likely) won't be stored for a long length of time.

Air Flow Knob

The air flow knob is located at the base of the gun just beside the airline connector and controls the amount of air flowing from the compressor through the spray gun. The knob should be set to allow nearly all of this airflow possible to pass through the gun.

Suggested Setting: Turn the air regulator knob until it is fully twisted out, then turn it one full rotation back in. This should set it to allow maximum airflow through the gun.

Fluid Flow Knob

The fluid control knob, sets the maximum fluid flow and is located on the rear of the gun. This essentially determines how far back the trigger can be pulled - the father back the trigger, the more fluid that is released.

Suggested Setting: Turn the fluid flow knob clockwise until it is all the way in, then turn it counter-clockwise back out 3 full rotations. If this setting provides insufficient flow, keep rotating out clockwise until ample fluid is released. To prevent accidentally changing the placement of the fluid flow knob, it is possible to "lock in" this setting by screwing the free turning needle adjusting nut, located next to the knob, until it contacts the body of the gun.

Fan Pattern

The fan pattern of a spray gun is determined by the fan air control knob located on the side of the gun. The fan pattern can be circular or oval depending on the settings, and the width of this pattern is determined by the amount of fan air flowing through the gun. A circular spray pattern can be produced by turning the air control knob completely inward clockwise, and is considered in the "off" position. If the air control knob is twisted out at all, considered in the "on" position, air passes through the two holes in the prongs of the spray gun air cap "flattening" the spray producing an oval pattern. The more fan air allotted through the gun by the fan air control knob, the wider the shape of the spray pattern.

Suggested Setting: Turn the fan air knob clockwise inward until it meets the body of the gun. Note the position of the engraving mark on the knob, rotate it back counter-clockwise one full turn until the mark aligns with the noted position.

Fan Orientation

Vertical and horizontal spray patterns are controlled by the prongs at the front of the gun. If the prongs are pointed horizontally, a vertical spray pattern will be produced and the gun should be used in a side to side motion. If the prongs are pointed vertically, a horizontal spray pattern will be produced and the gun should be used in an up to down or down to up motion. If the prongs are pointed opposite of the direction being sprayed, this would produce a heavy, oversaturated line pattern and is considered incorrect. The prongs are also capable of producing a diagonal spray pattern in the same manner these other patterns are produced, but we suggest only using the horizontal and vertical spray patterns.

Setting Rule of Thumb: An imaginary line through the prongs should coordinate with the direction you are spraying. If spraying horizontally, the prongs should point horizontally and if spraying vertically, the prongs should point vertically.

Suggested Distance and Trigger Control:

The gun should be held at a 8-12 inch distance from the client's body when spray tanning. Begin and end each stroke with air, allowing the fluid flow to begin when approaching the body and allowing it to end when moving away from the body. Always begin and each stroke away from the body to prevent inconsistency within a stroke.

Adjustment Demonstrations

This demonstration video contains segments showing the influence of the spray gun settings described throughout this page.

Distance Impact With Fan Air Off:
With the fan pattern producing a circle, it is easy to tell the impact of distance on the pattern size. The size of the spray pattern will increase proportionally with the distance from the subject (until a point is reached where the spray does not reach the subject).

Distance Impact With Fan Air On:
As already stated earlier in this page, an oval pattern can be produced with the fan air turned on. The technician in the video demonstrates the width that can be produced with 1, 2 and 3 revolutions of the fan air knob. Again, the size of the spray pattern will also increase as the distance from the subject increases.

Spray Stroke Method:
These strokes show both the incorrect and correct ways (noted by caption within the video) to produce a spray tanning stroke. Again, always begin and each stroke away from the body to prevent banding, pooling, heavy stroke starts and light stroke ends.