I have a can of....mig dip. I haven't used it in awhile. I read that some shops don't allow it. I do hate it when the tip shorts out to the nozzel and blows a hole in it.

 

The supplier I bought my MM130 from told me not to use any of it. He said it migrates up and shortens the life of the liner. He sold me on of those spring steel mechanical scrapers instead. I still use the spray and dip on occasion but most often just clean the nozzle frequently.

 

I prefer the dip. It has gotten a bad rep because of its misuse. When applied properly it only has to be done twice in an eight hour shift.
I dip the nozzle deeply into the dip while it is hot. I then hang the gun over my steel horse hanging downward. After coffee or lunch I come back and run a one inch bead on some scrap. After that I scrape the spatter out of the inside when it builds up.
I make up a small tool for cleaning the nozzle. Some people use a old screwdriver. I flatten the end of an eighth inch welding rod and then form it into a small spoon shape.
The best spray antispatter I have found for nozzles is the Walter brand. It seems to maintain its effectiveness longer than most other brands.

 

Read in a welding book that you could use plain old "Pam" on your mig tips and nozzel to prevent the build up of splatter.
Has anyone tried this?

Doesn't say much for "Pam" does it? Anything that won't break down under welding conditions probably shouldn't be consumed as food. Sort of like Margerine. Set it outside in the sun for a month and it won't spoil. Flies won't even touch it. I don't either.

Anyway I use some stuff called Welders "Black Magic". It looks and feels in all ways like a graphite based anti-spatter. Too pricey to use for anything other than just the tip tho. Take the nozzle off, spray the tip, put the nozzle on and spray it. Most of the heavy slag falls off with just a tap of the nozzle or a wipe with your glove. Sometimes slag drops into the weldment if you don't keep it wiped off.

I also keep a itty bitty brase brush handy and a scraper/scoop made out of a flattened piece of brazing rod. I just make a habit of tapping the nozzle before long beads and checking for cleaning whenever I need a break.

 

uh oh; I've been doing it all wrong! I have been heating the cone by welding then dipping the whole stinger tip into the gel thereby coating both the tip and the nozzel. How bad does this screw up the stinger?

 

Well, I'll tell you's guy's what my welding guy said........
(fasten your seat-belts).........and i'm telling the truth ! . . . . . . .

He said: "Just spray the whole works with WD40"....."spray the
nozzle real good, and spray it on your work and weld right through it" ! He said: "It's the same stuff the big welding company sells, in their can, at triple the price" !

Now I'll be honest with you.....You all know I'm not a pro.....but I do know this: . . . If you do a job long enough....(tool & die, welding, funeral directing, flying kites........) you will discover ways to make your job easier....and, even though it may sound "un-orthodox"......it may, very well work !