Correctly Using a Trigger

Cooper’s Trigger Heads (Trigger)

 

A Cooper’s trigger is ideal for evenly and efficiently applying Cooper’s Stripper and Flusher.

Overview

  • A Cooper’s trigger is equipped with a Viton O-Ring and Piston, making them extremely resistant to the tough demands that our products place on them.
  • The spray nozzle is fully adjustable, so the spray pattern can be fine-tuned to best suit your project.
  • When the spray nozzle is set correctly, the trigger produces a droplet size that evenly delivers the liquid directly onto the surface being stripped. (Don’t use a non-Cooper’s trigger, as they will often cause the liquid to atomize into a fine mist, which will float around.)
  • Even though our triggers are long lasting, the tough demands that our products place on them, means they don’t last forever, however, your ability to use a trigger correctly is essential to how long the trigger will last.
  • The translucent Applicator Bottles (Bottle) we supply are made from Stripper resistant, HDPE plastic.

Correctly using a Trigger Head

  • Fill the bottle with Stripper or Flusher, then attach the trigger. (Ensure the suction tube is facing the right direction. Forwards for most applications and backwards for spraying up)
  • Use a sweeping action when spraying the Stripper or Flusher to ensure an even application,
    • It is important to evenly apply the product using a sweeping motion to avoid any dry patches caused by a blotchy application. Dry patches will not be stripped.
    • The goal is to apply an even application that’s not too thick or thin.
    • To avoid the product running when stripping a vertical surface, use multiple light applications, rather than a single thick application.
  • To help get the liquid flowing, lightly squeeze the bottle, while at the same time, you give the spray lever a few pumps (this will assist the liquid to reach the piston).
  • Once the trigger is spraying liquid through it, observe the spray pattern and adjust if necessary.
    • If the Stripper is coming out as a stream, or as a mist, adjust the nozzle tip and test spray again until an ideal spray pattern is achieved.
  • Apply the Stripper to only the amount of surface that you can handle at one time.
  • Once you’ve finished applying the Stripper or Flusher, set the trigger and bottle combination down on a surface that can’t be damaged by any liquid that might be under the bottle or drip from the trigger.
  • Clean the trigger at the end of each stripping session, for if the triggers mechanism is permanently exposed to Stripper or Flusher, its service life will be reduced.

Method for cleaning a trigger.

  • Stripper:
    1. Unscrew the trigger from the bottle and pump the Stripper that’s still in the trigger, back into the bottle.
    2. Place the suction hose into some Flusher and pump some Flusher through it. (3 pumps)
    3. Lift the suction hose out of the Flusher and continue to pump the trigger until the trigger is empty.
    4. Screw the trigger back onto the bottle and store securely, out of the sun.
  • Flusher:
    1. Unscrew the trigger from the bottle and pump the Flusher that’s still in the trigger, back into the bottle.
    2. Screw the trigger back onto the bottle and store securely, out of the sun.
  • Not for long term storage: If you will not be using the product in the bottle for more than a week, transfer the product back into its original metal container for long term storage.

We recommend you practice using the trigger before you start your project.

 

Troubleshooting

Situation 1 – You pump the spray lever, but the trigger won’t spray any liquid.

Possibility 1: The spray nozzle may be turned off (turned fully clockwise)

  • Solution: Adjust the spray nozzle and test spray until you have the ideal spray pattern.

Possibility 2: The trigger may have an air lock.

  • Solution: Give the Applicator Bottle a gentle squeeze, while at the same time you pump the spray lever, the liquid should start spraying.

Possibility 3:       The Applicator Bottle has run out of liquid.

  • Solution: Refill the Applicator Bottle. 

Possibility 4:       If the trigger was left in the direct sunlight, the heat of the sun can cause the Stripper to expand, warping the triggers mechanism, breaking the trigger.

  • Solution: Replace the trigger and ensure the new trigger is kept in the shade.

Possibility 5:       The nozzles green Viton O-Ring has become dislodged.

  • Solution: Unscrew the nozzle tip and reseat the O-Ring by twisting the O-Ring around until it feels reseated.

Possibility 6:       If you are spraying in a ‘High Up’ or ‘Down Low’ direction, the suction hose may be turned the wrong way around and be sucking air.

  • Solution: Twist the suction tube around so that it sucks liquid from the lowest point.

Possibility 7:       The suction hose may not be fitted tightly enough into the bottom of the trigger and therefore the trigger is sucking air, not liquid.

  • Solution: Force the suction tube into the trigger mounting hole by using a twisting and pushing action.

 

Situation 2 – The liquid sprays out of the Trigger Head in a non-even, jetting pattern.

Possibility 1: Debris of some type has got into the Applicator Bottle and has moved into the nozzles tip, causing it to become partially blocked.

  • Solution: Clean the Applicator Bottle and try to remove the debris that has entered the Trigger Head, if you are unsuccessful, replace the trigger.

Possibility 2: Cold Stripper is thicker than warm Stripper, if the Stripper is below 10°C (50°F) it can be too thick to spray evenly. (This problem doesn’t happen to Flusher)

  • Solution: Warm the Stripper to be between 10 – 30°C. (50 – 86°F)
    • Warm the Stripper by sitting the product can or Applicator Bottle into a container of warm water that doesn’t exceed 30 degrees C. (The Stripper will boil at 40°C (104°F) and will spurt out of the container). Loosen the cap, tap or trigger of the container being warmed before putting it into the water to avoid any pressure building up.

 

Situation 3 – You pump the spray lever and liquid comes out around the pistons chamber.

Possibility 1:       The Piston has worn out through normal use.

Possibility 2:       The Piston has been worn out faster than normal, due to the trigger not being cleaned after each use.

Possibility 3:       If the trigger was left in the direct sunlight, the heat of the sun can cause the Stripper to expand, warping the triggers mechanism, breaking the trigger.

Possibility 4:     The Piston has been damaged due to the trigger being used too aggressively.

Solution for 1 – 2 – 3 – 4: In all cases the trigger needs to be replaced.

 

Situation 4 – When delivered, the suction tube was not connected to the Trigger Head.

Explanation:       Due to packaging constraints, we sometimes don’t connect the suction tube to the trigger.

  • Solution: Attach the suction tube to the trigger by pushing and twisting the suction tube into the hole that’s under the triggers connection thread.

 

Situation 5 – The suction tube is too long.

Explanation:        The tube is made this length to reach to the bottom of the bottle. (See picture)

  • Solution: When you place the suction tube into the bottle and the tube is touching the bottom of the bottle, lightly push down on the head of the trigger, this will cause the tube to curl around and reach the outside edge of the bottom.