Paint Sprayers are a fantastic tool that will cut the time of your DIY project in half. But, while you are saving time on your paint job, cleaning your sprayer will take more time and effort than cleaning paint brushes or rollers.
Cleaning your sprayer after each use will ensure that it operates and works effectively for a long time. It is always better to clean your machine as soon as you are done using it.
Doing this will make your sprayer much easier to clean. This may be a frightening task at first, but the more you do it, the easier it will become.
Now let’s get started before that paint begins to dry in your sprayer!
Table of Contents
Use the Right Solvent to Clean Your Paint Sprayer
Are you unsure about which cleaning product you should use on your paint sprayer? The solvent you will need depends on what type of paint you last used in your machine.
If you worked with water-based paint, then simple soap and water will suffice. However, if you used oil-based paint, then you will need something more substantial like this paint thinner from Sunnyside.
It is essential to use the right solvents to clean your paint gun because if you opt for paint-thinner to clean water-based paints or vice versa, as it can damage your sprayer.
Safety First
It is always essential to protect yourself when working with toxic chemicals. For example, if you are cleaning your paint sprayer with paint thinner or any other harmful substance, ensure to wear protective gear.
Never clean your machine without wearing gloves. I would also recommend wearing goggles and a mask if you are not in a well-ventilated area.
A Quick Guide to Clean Your Paint Sprayer
I have put together a simple guide to help you clean your paint sprayer. By following these instructions, you will have a sparkling clean sprayer that will be ready to use for your next project.
Get Your Cleaning Supplies Ready
You will need a few supplies to help you clean your paint sprayer, which include:
- 2 buckets
- Cleaning solvent (soap and water or paint thinner)
- Various sized brushes or a spray gun cleaning kit
- Clean rags
- Toothpicks
Fill one of your buckets with your cleaning solution of choice and leave the other empty, which you will use for waste.
Pressure Relief
To be able to disassemble your gun correctly, you will need to release any pressure that is still built up inside. You can do this by engaging the trigger guard and turning your sprayer off.
Next, you will need to make sure you are on the lowest pressure setting and reverse the spray tip. After this is done, you can disengage the gun trigger lock.
Take your gun, hold it over the empty bucket, and pull back the trigger to release the pressure. Once all the pressure has been let out, you can re-engage the gun trigger lock and switch it to the prime or drain option.
Empty Any Leftover Paint
Now that your gun is safe to work with, you will need to empty out any remaining paint. Start with removing the tip and tip guard.
Remove your draining pipe from the paint and place it into the empty bucket. Your intake pipe must be placed into the bucket with your cleaning solution of choice.
Now you will need to switch the prime valve to spray. Empty any remaining paint into your paint can while increasing the pressure until you see the paint flow ending, and then switch over to your dirty bucket.
Once the cleaning solution starts to run clear, you can release the trigger and switch off your machine.
Clean the Paint Sprayer’s Hose and Gun
Before starting this step, ensure that the prime valve is turned to spray. Switch your sprayer on and start spraying into your dirty bucket. Once your hose is cleaned out, you can turn your sprayer off, release the trigger, and engage its lock.
Turn the pressure down to its lowest setting and remove the plug from the electricity socket for safety purposes.
Clean the Pump
Hold your gun over the dirty bucket and pull the trigger; only then should you turn on your sprayer. Once your liquid starts to run clean, turn off your sprayer and release the trigger.
Turn the valve to prime and switch the sprayer back on, which will allow your cleaning solution to circulate inside your pump and expel any remaining paint out of the drain pipe.
Once the cleaning solution starts to run clear, lift the intake pipe out of the solvent and turn your sprayer off. You can then begin removing all the filters from the gun and sprayer.
Clean the Filters, Tips, and Nozzles
If you have a spray gun cleaning kit, there will be different-sized brushes you can use for the smaller pieces of your sprayer.
Take the filters, tips, and nozzles and clean them by either flushing them or soaking them in your cleaning solution. Using your soft-bristled brushes, clean these pieces, ensuring you get all the nooks and crannies.
For the smaller holes, use a wooden toothpick to clean out any residue inside. This is an essential step because if these tiny holes get blocked, your sprayer will deliver an uneven coat of paint.
After cleaning, you can flush your sprayer with a pump protector like this or mineral spirits to shield it from freezing and deterioration. Next, wipe down the hose and gun with a wet cloth of your chosen cleaning product.
Lastly, you need to wipe away any remaining cleaning solvent with a clean, dry rag and reassemble your paint sprayer.
Dispose of Waste Responsibly
Now that your sprayer is clean, you need to tidy up your workspace. If you chose to use a chemical to clean your sprayer, it is vital to dispose of the waste responsibly. Never pour these chemicals down the drain as they can contaminate the groundwater.
Extra Tips
While cleaning your paint sprayer after each use is a great way to take care of your machine, I would recommend oiling the piston pump before each use. This will keep your sprayer running smoothly for a long time.
If you have rented a paint sprayer, ensure it is spotless before returning it. You don’t want to be slapped with a massive bill for cleaning and repairs.
Conclusion
Cleaning your paint sprayer will help to maintain it and keep it working effectively. Although this process might seem intimidating, after a few tries, it will be second nature.
Always use the correct cleaning solvent depending on the paint you are using. Otherwise, you can risk damaging your machine.
You should always make sure to release the built-up pressure before doing anything, as this could cause serious injury. Also, don’t forget to wear protective gloves, masks, and goggles to avoid any accidents.
Always hold your gun over the waste bucket before turning on your machine. You don’t want any accidents that will require more time to clean.
Once you have finished cleaning your paint sprayer, dispose of the waste responsibly so as not to contaminate the groundwater.
