Summer can be one of the busiest times of year for spray tan professionals. Between vacations, weddings, events, and back to back appointments, your equipment may have seen a lot of use over the past few months. As the season begins to slow down, it is a great time to give your Apollo Sunless equipment a little extra attention.
A post summer equipment check can help you identify buildup, worn components, or other issues before heading into fall and the busy holiday season.
1. Give Your Spray Gun a Deep Clean
Start with a thorough cleaning of your spray gun. Even with regular cleaning throughout the summer, solutions can build up around small components over time.
Take extra care around areas such as the:
- Needle and nozzle
- Air cap
- Solution pickup tube
- Pressure tube
- Solution cup and lid
- Gaskets and seals
Remove any solution buildup and make sure each component is clean before reassembling your spray gun. Avoid forcing small parts during disassembly or reassembly.
2. Inspect Your Needle and Nozzle
Your needle and nozzle play an important role in controlling solution flow and atomization. After a busy season, take a closer look at both components.
Check for visible buildup, damage, or anything that could interfere with your spray pattern. If your gun has recently started spitting, spraying unevenly, or producing more mist than usual, cleaning and inspecting these components is a good place to start.
3. Check Your Gland Seal
The gland seal is another small component worth inspecting during your post summer maintenance.
If you’ve noticed a solution leaking around the needle or trigger area, changes in needle movement, or inconsistent performance, the gland seal may need attention. Make sure the area is clean and properly adjusted. Avoid overtightening, as this can restrict the movement of the needle.
4. Inspect Your Solution Cup
Don’t forget about your solution cup. Check the cup, lid, tubes, and connections for leftover solution or buildup.
Make sure everything fits together correctly and look for signs of wear or damage. A clean cup and properly functioning connections help your solution move through the spray gun as intended.
5. Check Your Hose and Connections
Your air hose works hard during every appointment, especially if you’re constantly moving around clients or transporting your system for mobile services.
Inspect your hose from end to end and check the quick connects. Make sure everything connects securely and that there are no obvious signs of damage.
This is also a good opportunity to wipe down the exterior of your hose and remove any solution or residue that may have accumulated during the summer.
6. Give Your Turbine Some Attention
Your turbine is the power behind your spray tan system, so include it in your seasonal equipment check.
Make sure the exterior is clean and inspect the areas around the turbine’s airflow. Your turbine should have room for air to circulate while operating, so keep the surrounding area free from anything that could restrict airflow.
If you’ve been completing mobile appointments throughout the summer, this is also a good time to inspect your turbine after months of transportation.
7. Test Your Spray Pattern
Once everything has been cleaned, inspected, and reassembled, test your spray gun.
Pay attention to:
- Spray pattern consistency
- Solution output
- Atomization
- Trigger movement
- Airflow
- Leaking or spitting
- Unusual changes in performance
Testing your equipment before your next client gives you time to troubleshoot anything that doesn’t seem right.
8. Organize Your Replacement Parts
After a busy summer, take inventory of the replacement parts and equipment supplies you currently have.
Check which parts you use most frequently and determine whether anything needs to be restocked. Having commonly needed parts available can be especially helpful as you prepare for fall appointments and the holiday season.
9. Clean and Organize Your Equipment Area
Your maintenance checklist shouldn’t stop with the spray gun.
Clean your equipment station, spraying area, storage space, and accessories. Organize your cleaning supplies, extra solution cups, replacement parts, and other equipment so everything is easy to find when you need it.
A clean and organized workspace can make daily equipment care much easier.
10. Review How You Store Your Equipment
Summer heat can be tough on equipment, particularly for mobile spray tan artists who regularly transport their systems.
As temperatures begin to change, review your storage routine. Keep your equipment in a clean, dry location and protect it from excessive temperatures and direct sunlight. Avoid leaving your spray tan system stored in a vehicle for extended periods. Here are some of our favorite distributers for Apollo Sunless.
Your Post Summer Checklist
Before heading into the new season, make sure you’ve:
- Deep cleaned your spray gun
- Inspected the needle and nozzle
- Checked the gland seal
- Cleaned and inspected the solution cup
- Checked the hose and quick connects
- Cleaned and inspected the turbine
- Tested your spray pattern and solution flow
- Restocked commonly needed replacement parts
- Cleaned and organized your equipment area
- Reviewed how you’re storing and transporting your system
Get Your Equipment Ready for the Next Season
Post summer maintenance is an opportunity to reset after a busy few months and make sure your equipment is ready for what’s ahead. Taking time to clean, inspect, test, and organize your Apollo Sunless system can help you catch potential issues before they interrupt an appointment.
With fall events and the holiday season approaching, now is the perfect time to give your equipment the attention it deserves and head into the next busy season ready to spray. Here is our YouTube Channel for all the common equipment troubleshooting.
