The distributor should be moved to the side of the road until the correct shooting temperature is reached. When the asphalt has reached the correct temperature and the spray bar is completely off the pavement and in a flat area, one or two layers of joint paper should be placed under the spray bar and the sprayer should be turned on momentarily to “blow out” the nozzles. While spraying, each nozzle should be visually checked to make certain no nozzles are clogged and the spray pattern looks correct.

If any nozzles are clogged, they should be removed and cleaned out with an appropriate solvent. After cleaning any nozzles as needed, the nozzles should be blown out, and the spray pattern should be checked again. The spray system should be checked for leaking asphalt. If no leaks are apparent and all nozzles are working correctly, the distributor may be moved into position at the beginning of the asphalt shot.