Spray tan technicians are only as good as their tools. Marketing initiates, promotions, years of experience, lowest prices, etc., don’t amount to much if a technician’s equipment is broken. Below are some tips regarding equipment maintenance.

Make sure equipment is up to date. Technicians want to be utilizing the newest technologies when it comes to equipment. There is a reason we aren’t using the first spray tan guns invented. That technology, the material, the durability, and the application of guns have improved enormously. The same concept applies to other equipment pieces as well. And even though a 15-year-old spray unit might still be turning on and off, that doesn’t mean it’s providing the best spray tan one can give. Again, newer technologies will be able to provide technicians the best base for giving a spectacular spray tan and decrease the time it takes to give one. Not only does having an extremely outdated piece of equipment hinder a technician’s abilities, it also increases the chances of it malfunctioning and the frequency that it malfunctions.

Clean spray gun regularly. This is the most highly shared piece of advice given, and the advice that is least taken. Ninety percent of spray gun issues are due to lack of cleaning. Ideally, technicians should clean their guns daily, regardless of how many sprays were given that day. Most guns can be cleaned with warm water or some type of predetermined cleaner. It’s important to know what to clean the gun with, as using the wrong cleaner (i.e. using a cleaner when the gun should only be cleaned with water) will ruin the gun. Typically, a thorough cleaning, including taking the gun apart, or a long soak in warm water or cleaner will resolve most minor spray gun issues.

Click here to read the entire article in the latest issue of Smart Tan Magazine online.