Question about controlling spatter

[Buzzkill]

I have a question for some of you experienced welders out there.  I was told that hairspray does a good job at keeping MIG splatter from sticking in the nozzle or to stock.  Obviously you'd have to wait for it to dry, but I was curious if anyone else had ever heard this or if I need to get the other leg pulled to even them out.

[Frosty]

I don't know about hairspray but if you used the water based stuff you wouldn't have to let it dry, it might work let us know please. Pam cooking spray works pretty well so did pledge spray furniture polish but Pledge is all silicone anymore so I don't know.

Frosty The Lucky.

[Daswulf]

As I believe it, it is just something as a coating to disrupt the adhesion of weld spatter from sticking to a metal surface. I haven't tried other stuff, I just buy the antispatter spray. I have used the nozzle tip jell as well. With both I notice a bit of a difference in spatter on things and or buildup in the nozzle.  I'm not diehard on anything. If I want a clean job i do try to use both tho. 

[JHCC]

Anti-spatter spray is definitely worth the investment, especially since it's not particularly expensive. Hairspray may be a lot cheaper, but any savings advantage is immediately lost in extra time spent on cleanup. 

[Les L]

I’ve used the Jells, nozzle spray and Pam for the last 45 yrs and can’t tell the difference between them 

if I have a project I don’t want bb’s stuck to I use nozzle spray because it doesn’t leave an oily mess on the project 

[JHCC]

20 hours ago, Frosty said:

Pledge is all silicone anymore so I don't know.

Silicone can really interfere with painted finishes, as can some oils. If you use anti-spatter spray, check the label for what it says about cleanup and painting.

[Daswulf]

Here is one brand I use. (Depends where I am when I need some. Most all act the same. 

No matter what you are painting it should be degreased, dried, maybe scuffed and warmed/maintained at/to the recommended usage temp. 

Silicones are BAD for anything you might be painting. If a silicone was used on a part you want to paint or clear you should degrease, dry heat and repeat ten times, spin counterclockwise in a pentagram circle 3times then pray to your God or Gods of choice and then hope for the best. Smudge stick might even help.   

Sorry bout the big photo, it supposedly didnt upload then I cant edit to delete it. 

[Scott NC]

  If you know how to set your machine properly for the mig process you are using it actualy helps the anti-spatter do it's job.  Somecases you don't even need it.  But non stick spray won't help much if you have giant sputter ball globs flying all over due to incorrect heat or wirespeed.  Same with stick welding.

   It's kind of the same principle with flux core welding and slag covering, set right, it just peels off without having to wear your arm out on a chipping hammer.

  I think, but am not sure, at one place I worked at we used a water based anti-splatter spray, mixed in huge proportions.  

[Buzzkill]

Thanks for all the replies.  I have some of the gel stuff, but it can get a little messy sometimes (or I can get messy with it).   A dry spray coating seems like a better option to me.  I do far more stick welding than MIG, so I don't have much experience in that area.

[bubba682]

Splatter can be controlled with heat and wire speed migs like a clean surface and a little pre heat don't hurt flux core is splattery its like usin 6010 or 6011 all day.I don't use flux core mig for those reasons i havn't used antisplatter in over 20 yrs.I hear some flux core rolls of wire now have some additives to help with splatter but i have no experience with it.

[Scott NC]

  Have you ever had the pleasure of welding flux core with shielding gas?

[bubba682]

 I have used flux core with shielding gas last time was 20 yrs ago with gas it was still still smoky but it runs great as i recall there was very little splatter.So do you run it for commercial work or in your shop if your in your shop and have access to gas why not run 7018 i would think 7018 would cost less per roll of wire.

[Scott NC]

  No, nothing like that.  I used it for many years in a shop/industry that made large stuff.  I just liked welding with it and asked out of curiosity.  Yes, the smoke would choke a buzzard.....

  As you said, many years ago.

[elija6266]

hello there

I do not have any personal experience; but I heard about it Some welders use it to prevent MIG spatter; I think in hairspray, chemicals are usually used to prevent the spatter. You can try it if you get the best result,  that is good for you |If you are not successful, then you just leave it. because I think it depends on the weather.