How to Clean Up a Paint Sprayer
Cleaning your Graco sprayer is an important step to keep it running at maximum performance and efficiency.
WATCH: Clean Up (3:14)
Pressure Relief Procedure
Before cleaning your sprayer, always perform the pressure relief procedure:
- Engage the gun trigger lock
- Turn the on/off switch to off
- Turn the pressure control to the lowest setting
- Reverse the spray tip and disengage the gun trigger lock
- Hold a metal part of the gun firmly to a grounded metal pail and trigger the gun to release the pressure
- Engage the gun trigger lock
- Turn prime valve to the prime or drain position
Flush Coatings
- Remove the spray tip and tip guard from the gun
- Remove the fluid intake and drain tube from the paint and wipe any excess paint off the outside
- Place the fluid intake into flushing fluid
- Place drain tube in a grounded waste pail.
- Turn the prime valve to spray
- With the gun pointed into the paint bucket, pull the trigger then turn the on/off switch to On
- Increase pressure while continuing to pull the gun trigger
- When paint flow ends and you see flushing fluid appear, turn on/off switch to off and release the trigger
Clean The Pump
- Move the gun to the flushing bucket
- Pull the trigger
- Then turn the on/off switch to on and cycle the pump until the flushing fluid runs clear
- Turn the on/off switch to off and release the gun trigger
- Turn the prime valve to the prime position
- Turn the on/off to on
- Allow flushing fluid to circulate until the fluid coming out of the drain tube runs clear
- Raise the fluid intake out of the bucket above the flushing fluid
- Turn the on/off to off
Clean The Hose & Gun
- Turn the prime valve to the spray position
- Turn the on/off to on
- Trigger the gun into the flushing pail to purge the hose
- Turn the on/off to off
- Release the gun trigger and engage the trigger lock
- Turn the pressure control knob to the lowest pressure setting
- Disconnect power
- Remove the filters from the gun and sprayer
Clean Filters, Tips & Guard
- Clean the filters along with the tip and tip guard with flushing fluid and a soft bristle brush and inspect them for any damage
- If you’ve flushed your sprayer with water, flush it again with mineral spirits or Pump Armour to leave a protective coating which prevents freezing and corrosion
- Wipe your sprayer hose and gun with a rag soaked in water or mineral spirits
Properly cleaning your sprayer and storing it in a safe, dry place will ensure your Graco sprayer ready for your next job.
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