DeVilbiss, SATA, Sharpe, Astro Pneumatic, Binks

Viscosity Ratings are available from the paint manufacturer. Remember, theses are just a guideline as other factors such as curing time, build, and environment, etc., affect your finish. Due to demand we now offer viscosity cups. We choose Ford #4 cups due to the extreme costs of Zahn Cups.

Cup Type	Measure	Light Consistency					Medium Consistency									Heavy Consistency					Very Heavy Consistency
Zahn #2* TP USES	Seconds	14	14	15	15	16	17	18	19	20	22	24	26	28	30	34	37	41	49	58	66	74	82	-	-	-	-	-
Zahn #4	Seconds	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	10	11	13	14	16	17	18	20	21	22	24	25	26	28	29
Ford #4	Seconds	5	8	10	12	14	18	22	25	28	31	32	34	41	45	50	54	58	62	65	68	70	74	-	-		-	-
Dupont Parlin#10	Seconds	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	20	22	23	25	30	32	37	41	45	49	52	57	61	65	69	73	77	81	85
Lammer	Seconds	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	25	30	32	37	41	45	49	52	57	61	65	69	73	77	81
Sear	Seconds	-	-	-	-	-	19	20	21	23	24	26	27	31	34	38	40	44	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

When spraying, the material you are spraying must not be too viscous for the spray gun or spray system you are using. This quality of the coating is called viscosity. Matching your viscosity with the correct tip orifice size is the key to getting a well atomized finish. If it is too thick, the finish won't atomize well or may not even come out of the spray gun. Poorly atomized coatings create a rough surface and look poor. You will have to move too slowly or too close to get coverage. When the material is properly atomized, it looks like a fin mist and leaves micro tiny droplets on the surface. These tiny droplets flow together and like magic make a smooth, level film. When you spray material at the same viscosity you get more consistency in your results. Remember also that you material gets thinner as the weather gets warmer. Too thin and you will get runs and sags. You usually like to spray between 15c and 30c.

ford 4 viscosity cup

How to use a Ford 4 Cup

ford 4 how to use

Hang the Ford #4 viscometer cup. Allow the paint to stabilize at room temperature, or at whatever temperature you intend to measure the viscosity and spray at. Remember temperature will change the viscosity of your material. Measure the temperature for your records. Place a small container under the Ford 4 cup. Place your finger under the orifice to prevent the paint from running out of the cup. Fill the cup all the way to the top until a small amount overflows. Start a stop watch and immediately remove your finger. Allow the paint to run out into the container below. As soon as the paint stream stops flowing stop the stop watch. Record the time it took for the paint to leave the cup. The shorter the draining time, the thinner the paint.