Frequently Asked Questions

All Magnum sprayers can spray water-based and solvent-based paints, stains and primers that can be cleaned with mineral spirits. Materials that cannot be used with Magnum sprayers include solvent-based lacquers, texture based materials and elastomeric. See our comprehensive material compatibility guide for more specifics about which sprayers can spray which material.

See our comprehensive material compatibility guide for more specifics about which sprayers can spray which material.

All sprayers include a 515 spray tip that sprays a 25 cm spray fan for spraying latex paint on larger surfaces. When spraying stain, we recommend you use a spray tip that restricts the amount of paint coming out of the front, such as a 311 or 413 spray tip. The first number of any spray tip is multiplied by 2 to give you the width of the spray fan. A 311 tip will spray a 15 cm spray fan and the 413 will spray an 20 cm spray fan. The second two numbers indicate the hole size.

For assistance finding the best spray tip for your project use our Sprayer Tip Selector.

Check the paint manufacturer's recommendation in the "Application" section of the label on the bucket or can of paint or use our Sprayer Tip Selector.

Magnum sprayers sold in Australia and New Zealand only need to be stored with Pump Armor after every use to ensure reliable priming on your next project.

The most important maintenance with any airless sprayer is to thoroughly clean the sprayer and store the sprayer with Pump Armor between use. Most importantly, clean the filter in the gun handle, the pump filter (ProX models only), the strainer and the spray tip. With good cleaning and using Pump Armor, your sprayer will last for years.

We recommend a 12-gauge extension cord no longer than 30 metres.

1 year on manufacturer's defects. View Warranty details.

Follow these steps:

• Make sure the suction tube (the larger, braided tube) and the strainer are completely submerged in the paint.
• Some paints are very thick and require the pump to slow down to prime. Turn the on/off switch ON and then OFF until the pump is about to stops and then turn the sprayer ON and then OFF again. You may need to do this a few times until paint works its way into the pump and out the drain tube (smaller clear tube).
• Remove the suction tube (larger, braided tube). Insert the pointed end of a pencil into the inlet and push up to free the inlet valve ball.
• Remove and clean the outlet valve. (See component identification and troubleshooting in your owner’s manual.)
• Remove and clean the inlet valve. (See component identification and troubleshooting in your owner’s manual.) Be sure not to lose the inlet ball (some models have a spring as well).
• Remove the strainer and connect the Power Flush adapter and a garden hose to the suction tube. Following the directions in your owner’s manual, flush the sprayer with water for one minute. Reinstall the strainer on the suction tube, submerge the suction tube in the paint and prime the sprayer.

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Make sure the unit is plugged into a working outlet. If it is, turn the sprayer on and then turn the sprayer’s pressure control knob clockwise until the motor starts running.

When the gun trigger is released, the motor and pump will automatically turn off. Once you pull the gun trigger and start spraying, the motor and pump will turn on again. This is normal operation and eliminates constant motor noise and reduces wear for longer life.

If the motor continues to run when the gun trigger is released, it is not primed.

Make sure the Prime/Spray Valve is pointed forward in the Spray position. Make sure the Prime/Spray Valve is pointed forward in the Spray position

The spray tip is likely clogged. Turn the spray tip 180 degrees to the unclog position, aim the spray gun into a bucket and pull the trigger for one second to clear the clog. Turn the spray tip back to the spray position and resume spraying.

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The best way to reduce tip clogs is to strain your paint of the larger debris.

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Make sure the pressure control is turned up to a higher spray pressure. Try moving closer to the surface. If you continue to see lines in your pattern, you may need a larger tip size if you sprayer can support it (the largest tip that the Project Painter Plus and X5 can support is the tip that is included). Otherwise, add a small amount of water or solvent, depending upon your material. Be sure to work the water or solvent into the paint that is in your paint hose by reversing the tip and spraying the paint back into the paint bucket until the thinner material is worked into the paint hose. Don’t forget to turn your spray tip back to the spray position.

You most likely have a tip plug. Turn the spray tip 180 degrees to the unclog position, aim the spray gun into a bucket and pull the trigger for one second to clear the clog. Turn the spray tip back to the spray position and resume spraying.

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The pump needs to be serviced or replaced.

The spray hose connection is not tight. Use a wrench to tighten the spray hose to the sprayer and to the gun.

All TrueCoat 360 sprayers can spray water-based paints, stains and primers. Materials that cannot be used with TrueCoat 360 sprayers include any flammable materials, texture based material, and elastomeric.

No, you do not have to squeeze the bag while spraying. Once you squeeze all of the air out of the bag, you close the VacuValve cap to seal out the air. We recommend you squeeze out the air again once you prime the sprayer. After that, there is no need to squeeze the bag while spraying.

Yes, you need to evacuate the air out of the cup and prime after each cup fill.

Yes, the FlexLiner bag is made of a durable, pliable plastic that is easy to rinse out and reuse.

No, all TrueCoat 360 sprayers include two spray tips for spraying small or large surfaces. They are both .015 inch orifice size tips. The black spray tip sprays a 130 cm (12-inch) pattern, the grey spray tip sprays a 10 cm (4-inch) pattern. No other tips or sizes are needed or available.

Make sure the cup lid is tightened securely and VacuValve lid is closed. Make sure the cup assembly is securely attached to the sprayer. Try squeezing all of the air out of the cup and priming.

Remove black o-ring on the pump inlet and clean/lubricate it.

If your sprayer has a dual speed or variable speed control, turn the speed down to low. Try using the smaller, grey tip to reduce the amount of material flowing out of the gun.

You most likely have a tip clog. To clear the clog, twist the handle 180 degrees and pull the trigger into a waste area. Twist the handle back to the spray position.

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The best way to reduce tip clogs is to strain your paint of the larger debris.

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The thermal overload has tripped. It will reset on its own. Let the sprayer cool down for 20-30 minutes and try it again.

You are moving too fast. Try slowing down your arm movement. If you have a sprayer with speed control, switch to High or increase the speed setting to the highest setting.

Try moving closer to the surface and slower. If you continue to see lines in your pattern, add a small amount of water, depending upon your material, re-prime and spray.

Debris is caught in the sprayer. Try reversing the spray tip 180 degrees to see is paint can be sprayed. If it can, turn the spray tip back to the spray position to spray. Turn the sprayer upside down with the cup and strainer removed. Pour hot water into the inlet of the sprayer if you sprayed water based materials on last project, or mineral spirits if you sprayed oil-based materials on the last project. Let sit for 5 minutes and then remove the spray tip and spray the material out the front of the sprayer (make sure your Prime/Spray Valve is at Spray). If these steps do not resolve the problem, contact Graco Technical Support at +61 3 9468 8500.

The most common reason for your sprayer to not work on next use is that the front guard has been removed from the sprayer during cleaning. Removing the guard will cause damage or missing parts when it is reassembled. Please call Graco Technical Support for help replacing the part at +61 3 9468 8500.

Turn it upside down, if it sprays then there is still air in the cup. Purge the air through the VacuValve cap.

Check the spray tip to insure it is properly installed and pushed all the way into the housing.

• 515 tip is included with each sprayer.
• A sprayer can support all smaller tips up to its maximum tip rating.
• 515 is sized to spray paint. A smaller tip is recommended for stain.

• The first digit is half of the fan width, the "5" in "515" equals a 25 cm (10-inch) spray fan width (5 x 2 = 10).
• The last two digits are the size of the tip opening in thousandths of an inch, the "15" in "515" means the tip hole size is .015 inch.

• Use smaller tip size when applying thinner materials such as stains and enamels.
• Use larger sizes for thicker materials such as exterior, latex and oil based paints.
• The larger the size of the tip hole, the faster the material leaves the gun. A 313 tip sprays faster than a 411 tip.

Choosing the right spray tip is essential for ensuring a quality finish – no matter which coating material is being sprayed. However, spray tips will wear with normal use. It’s important to replace a tip when it gets worn to ensure a precise spray pattern, maximum productivity and quality finish. When a tip wears, the orifice size increases and the fan width decreases. This causes more paint to hit a smaller area, which wastes paint and slows productivity. Tip life varies by coating, so if a tip is worn, replace it.

Once the fan pattern starts to get smaller, the spray tip should be replaced. The same amount of material is coming out but not covering as large of an area on your wall. You will need more paint to finish the project with a worn spray tip.

Based on the material you're spraying, follow this general replacement guideline:

• Latex – Replace after 50-150 litres
• Stains – Replace after 492-851 litres (130-225 gallons)

For assistance finding the best spray tip for your project, use our Spray Tip Selector or contact a retail outlet or service centre.

Extend tip life by spraying at the lowest pressure that breaks up the coating into a complete spray pattern (atomise). Do not increase the pump pressure; it only wastes paint and causes unnecessary pump component wear.

Graco repair parts can be purchased through one of the many authorised service centres. Graco does not sell directly. Our authorised service centres repair, conduct maintenance or sell parts for your sprayer. There are in-store and online options available.

It is best to spray at the lowest pressure that provides a good spray pattern in order to reduce overspray. Start at low spray and spray on a piece of cardboard. If you see lines on the top or bottom of the spray pattern, increase the spray pressure until the lines go away.