Hopper help

[Guest]

I bought a membrane from PBTP and made a hopper. I used Bengal Black and the hopper worked great. When I cleaned the hopper this is what the membrane looked like. All i used to clean it was air and a dry cloth. I am worried about color contamination. Is this normal??? Could it be possible that I have the membrane installed upside down. Before I glued it together I called PBTP and they said there is a top and bottom to the membrane but it was not marked and I took a guess. I think I guessed Wrong. Can anyone who has used the PBTP membrane tell me if yours looks like this after color changes. I plan on doing some samples to see what happens but I think I might have the membrane in upside down. [attachment=0:11azhgkz]4.JPG[/attachment:11azhgkz]

[BeeBob]

Re: Hopper help

What PSI did you use with the air gun? If you use too much air and straight at the disc, the powder can be blown down into the pores and leave a 'stained look" like you've got there. The membrane will get stained after repeated use. All you can do is clean it with air as good as possible. When it gets too bad and contaminates the powder, you'll have to replace it. The streaks I would imagine are from the cloth you used leaving powder drag marks in the disc. Since you glued the membrane in place, it's very difficult to blow off the disc at more of an angle to clean the disc easier/better.

[wiseguyz]

Re: Hopper help

It is normal for the membrane to stain some. I wouldn't use a rag on it though. Nothing but air. I have no idea how you would tell top or bottom. There is no visible difference on my Wagner cup membrane. If it weren't recessed for the retaining nut you couldn't tell which side goes up. I was told that the amount of use my gun gets, I probably wouldn't need to replace the membrane for 10 years.

[Guest]

Re: Hopper help

Thanks for the replies guys. I used 80 psi but i only blew at the plastic not the disk so the air would deflect and blow across the membrane. I then took a rag and very lightly rubbed it around. I will do some testing and if it is contaminated I will rebuild and not glue in the membrane. What psi do you use to clean your hopper??

[Guest]

Re: Hopper help

The amount of air you use to clean the hopper will have a lot to do with how close you get to it. I've cleaned it using 100psi before from 12-24 inches away, and as low as 40psi from a couple of inches away.

I also only use air to clean the membrane, and most of the hopper for that matter. I like to avoid using cloth rags whenever possible and if I have to I make sure that air is always the last thing to tough the hopper, gun, and lines.

[Guest]

Re: Hopper help

It is normal for the membrane to stain some. I wouldn't use a rag on it though. Nothing but air. I have no idea how you would tell top or bottom. There is no visible difference on my Wagner cup membrane. If it weren't recessed for the retaining nut you couldn't tell which side goes up. I was told that the amount of use my gun gets, I probably wouldn't need to replace the membrane for 10 years.

Wise is correct, do not use a rag or anything but compressed air to clean your membranes. Since this is a porous material (even though you can not see the pores) you will push the powder into the pores and create the rat hole effect (clogged membrane) and it will spike....

[wiseguyz]

Re: Hopper help

[quote="THEKINGWise is correct, do not use a rag or anything but compressed air to clean your membranes. Since this is a porous material (even though you can not see the pores) you will push the powder into the pores and create the rat hole effect (clogged membrane) and it will spike....[/quote]

To answer his other question KING, how would he know if the membrane is installed upside down? Is there really a top or bottom to it???

[Guest]

Re: Hopper help

It was my understanding that the air would really only pass thru the membrane one way. I always clean mine by blowing from the bottom out the top so the powder blow off and not into the membrane

[Guest]

Re: Hopper help

[quote=wiseguyz]

To answer his other question KING, how would he know if the membrane is installed upside down? Is there really a top or bottom to it???

yes there is and no, I will not be able to tell from the digital pic on the forum...but if it worked great the first time, I would assume it was installed correctly

[wiseguyz]

Re: Hopper help

It was my understanding that the air would really only pass thru the membrane one way. I always clean mine by blowing from the bottom out the top so the powder blow off and not into the membrane

How do they get those teenie little one-way valves in there? No wonder that stuff is so damned expensive!

[Guest]

Re: Hopper help

It was my understanding that the air would really only pass thru the membrane one way. I always clean mine by blowing from the bottom out the top so the powder blow off and not into the membrane

How do they get those teenie little one-way valves in there? No wonder that stuff is so damned expensive!

They use Elf's to do it.....

[Guest]

Re: Hopper help

From my understanding they use The Incredible Shrinking MAN

[Guest]

Re: Hopper help

From my understanding they use The Incredible Shrinking MAN

He is only around when it's cold.

[Guest]

Re: Hopper help

It's nice here today it's +3F

[Guest]

Re: Hopper help

From my understanding they use The Incredible Shrinking MAN

He is only around when it's cold.

That's what they all say....or this never happened before