Top 5 Anti-Spatter Sprays For A Cleaner Weld
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Unless you have all day and no tight spots to get into, spatter from welding becomes a common issue. But getting a clean finish even when you want to weld quickly is possible – all you have to do is find the right anti-spatter solution. While the market offers numerous options, good ones are too few and far between. Some don’t even work and a total waste of hard-earned money. Luckily, you don’t have to research to find the best ones – I’ve done it for you! Here is a list of the best welding anti spatter solutions money can buy.
Five Best Welding Anti Spatter Sprays
#1 CANTESCO ANTI-SPATTER WELDING SPRAY – BEST OVERALL
If you’re looking for a no-fuss solution to spatter, the CANTESCO anti-spatter welding spray makes for an easy fix.
It sprays on clear, and while it does have an oil-like sheen when you spray it, it will wipe off clear. The spray leaves a dry-feeling coating, and not an oily mess, and the easy clean-up is one of the biggest reasons for its popularity.
While the spray can does state that you can paint over it, you will need to clean it off if you want your paint not to scrape off. It’s not a deal-breaker, since most anti-spatter sprays do this, but definitely something to note.
Also, you will need to keep your bead away from it, since the spray stops the weld for adhering properly. Don’t apply it directly to the joint you’re welding.
On the plus side, though, you don’t need to use a whole lot of it – a quick spritz is often more than enough.
If you don’t weld a lot, the 16 oz can will last you ages. It’s hard NOT to recommend it!
Pros
- Safe – no fluorocarbons or silicone
- Leaves dry coating – no mess
- One-spritz fix
Cons
- Slightly expensive
#2 WELD-AID ANTI-SPATTER LIQUID – BEST VALUE
There are tons of cheap welding anti spatter solutions in the market – but finding one that works and the Weld-Aid anti-spatter liquid both at once, is next to impossible.
At less than the price of lunch, you get a 20 oz of super effective, smoke- and odor-free anti-spatter spray. Most sprays come in 16 oz cans, which further increases the value you get for your money.
You can increase the life of your MIG’s nozzle by using the spray. Once you spray it on, no slag sticks to it, and you can clean it off with ease with a coffee stirrer or a popsicle stick.
Spatter doesn’t stick to the surfaces you spray it on, either, and you can brush any residual spatter right off without any hassle.
For something so cheap, it’s surprising that it doesn’t leave behind messy residue, and you can wipe off the residual layer with ease.
While it offers many advantages, the formula has some harsh chemicals that can harm you if you breathe them in.
Buying it is highly recommended as long as you take necessary care and work in well-ventilated space or use a fume hood.
Pros
- Super affordable
- Can extend MIG nozzle life
- Comes in a large 20 oz can
- An easy-to-use and cheap solution to spatter
Cons
- Well ventilated setting recommended to avoid fumes
#3 LINCOLN ANTI-SPATTER WELDING SPRAY – PREMIUM CHOICE
Lincoln Electric is best known for its high-quality welding equipment, and the Lincoln anti splatter spray continues the trend of high-quality.
The spray is pricier than a lot of other options in the market, but it works like a charm and doesn't contain harmful chemicals. You can use it worry-free!
The spray is also ozone-safe, so you can be sure that you’re not harming yourself or the environment.
Spatter that bounces off the welding spot doesn’t stick to the areas you spray it on, and like the CANTESCO spray, you only need a little spritz for it to work effectively.
Protecting surfaces from damage is as simple as pointing and spraying from roughly 8 inches away in a sweeping motion.
Having a can of it around will save you from a lot of downtime!
It works just as well for protecting MIG tips, but you must be sure that your spray the tip both inside and out, or it won’t work.
It's safe, easy to use, and super effective, making it worth the extra dollars.
Pros
- Reduces time and effort required for clean-up
- Paint compatible
- Non-flammable and ozone-safe
Cons
- Expensive
If you typically paint your metal after welding it, the Hot Max 23000 welding anti spatter spray is the right product to get.
It works excellently – countering hot metal BBs that splutter out when you weld. You can wipe off any residual spatter with ease.
But the highlight of the Hot Max 23000 spray is that it uses a silicone-free formula. Painting the metal after you weld, it is made a lot simpler.
It can be used on nozzles and contact tips to increase their life.
You can also use the spray on freshly cut or machined ends to protect them from rust. The best part? You don’t have to wipe it off before you weld.
Pros
- Excellent choice if you paint after you weld
- Safe and fume-free
- Counters hot metal beads with ease
Cons
- Slightly pricey
It’s easy to have high expectations from the Hobart welding anti-spatter spray.
Hobart is another well-known brand in the welding industry, and they’re best known for their premium welding tools.
But seeing their anti-spatter spray priced lower than competitors got me worried. However, it performs just as you’d expect it to, ensuring that no spatters stick to the surface around the joint you’re welding.
The few beads that it does leave behind only need a gentle wipe down to get rid of.
But what had me genuinely worried was the odd, fried-fish like smell that begins to waft when you weld.
However, since there are no toxic chemicals in the spray, it’s nothing to be concerned about.
Pros
- Affordable, high-quality spray
- Works perfectly
- Great pricing
Cons
- Peculiar smell
FAQs
What’s the most effective way to avoid spatter?
Spatter is a normal outcome of welding, but there are some ways you can avoid excessive spatter. Ensure your welder settings are correct, check your wire and liner for dirt and rust, and ensure you're not using a worn-out/incorrect consumable. Holding the MIG gun at an aggressive angle can also cause spatter, so use the correct technique.
What are some other ways to deal with spatter?
In addition to using welding anti spatter spray, welding anti spatter gel, and anti spatter liquid, using welding tape is an effective way to deal with spatter. A spatter chisel/hammer works great, too, and you can also use a grinder with a flapper wheel for a clean finish.
Can I really use items from my kitchen to reduce welding spatter?
Testing by Fireball Tool revealed that rubbing vegetable oil onto metal leaves behind a lot less spatter. In their experiment, regular foot spray also performed well. So, if you’re in a pinch, you can use these items as anti spatter spray alternatives.
Verdict
The Lincoln anti-spatter welding spray is the best anti-spatter spray money can buy for many different reasons.
In addition to protecting your metal from spatter, it is also paint-compatible, which reduces the time required for clean-up.
It’s non-flammable, ozone safe, and contains no harmful chemicals, making it the best all-around anti-spatter spray in the market.
About the Author Gregory
Hi, my name is Gregory! I have been welding practically all of my life and love it. As I have gotten older I have started to weld less and less, so in order to continue my love for welding I created this website. I like to write about my experiences and help you all become welders. I hope that you enjoy the site!
