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:

1. Engage the gun trigger lock
2. Turn the on/off switch to off
3. Turn the pressure control to the lowest setting
4. Reverse the spray tip and disengage the gun trigger lock
5. Hold a metal part of the gun firmly to a grounded metal pail and trigger the gun to release the pressure
6. Engage the gun trigger lock
7. Turn prime valve to the prime or drain position

Flush Coatings

1. Remove the spray tip and tip guard from the gun
2. Remove the fluid intake and drain tube from the paint and wipe any excess paint off the outside
3. Place the fluid intake into flushing fluid
4. Place the drain tube into a waste pail
5. Turn the prime valve to spray
6. With the gun pointed into the paint bucket, pull the trigger then turn the on/off switch to On
7. Increase pressure while continuing to pull the gun trigger
8. When paint flow ends and you see flushing fluid appear, turn on/off switch to off and release the trigger

Clean The Pump

1. Move the gun to the flushing bucket
2. Pull the trigger
3. Then turn the on/off switch to on and cycle the pump until the flushing fluid runs clear
4. Turn the on/off switch to off and release the gun trigger
5. Turn the prime valve to the prime position
6. Turn the on/off to on 
7. Allow flushing fluid to circulate until the fluid coming out of the drain tube runs clear
8. Raise the fluid intake out of the bucket above the flushing fluid
9. Turn the on/off to off

Clean The Hose & Gun

1. Turn the prime valve to the spray position
2. Turn the on/off to on 
3. Trigger the gun into the flushing pail to purge the hose
4. Turn the on/off to off
5. Release the gun trigger and engage the trigger lock
6. Turn the pressure control knob to the lowest pressure setting 
7. Disconnect power
8. Remove the filters from the gun and sprayer

Clean Filters, Tips & Guard

1. Clean the filters along with the tip and tip guard with flushing fluid and a soft bristle brush and inspect them for any damage
2. If you’ve flushed your sprayer with water, flush it again with mineral spirits or Pump Armor to leave a protective coating which prevents freezing and corrosion
3. 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.