How To Clean A Paint Sprayer

I’ve been thinking about repainting my garage doors for quite some time, as they’re already faded and look pretty old.

But did not want to use brushes as it would be messy and take too long. Imagine my surprise when I found an old paint sprayer in the garage that would be perfect for the job! However, I realized it was useless until it received a thorough cleaning. 

Although I tried a few methods, I couldn’t get the stubborn grime and gunk out of it. Fortunately, I raised the issue with my friendly neighbor, Mr.Cross, who had just the solution for me. 

Hi! I’m Stacy. And today, I will share with you the advice given to me by Mr.Cross. If you have been struggling with the same problem, don’t worry. I will tell you how to clean a paint sprayer in the most straightforward way possible.

So, let’s begin!

How To Clean A Paint Sprayer

Why Does A Paint Sprayer Get Clogged?

I was excited to use a paint sprayer for repainting the garage doors because of how convenient and fast the task would be. Typically, it would take me at least two days to repaint the doors properly. However, I knew that my handy paint sprayer would help me achieve the same (or better) results within two hours. 

One of the reasons my old unit had essentially become unusable is that I failed to properly clean it after its last use. This is a huge mistake that can cost you later on, so I recommend cleaning your paint sprayer thoroughly after every use.

Failing to clean your paint sprayer regularly will cause the paint particles to clog the tube and nozzle. Over time, the paint can harden and become very challenging to remove by typical cleaning methods.

In the following section, I’ll let you in on a nifty method that Mr. Cross taught me all about. I’m sure you can use this method to clean your paint sprayers in no time.

Cleaning A Paint Sprayer

Step 1 - Perform The Pressure Relief Procedure

Before I delve into the details of cleaning a paint sprayer, you need to perform the pressure relief procedure for safety. Begin by engaging the trigger lock on the sprayer. Put the trigger switch in the “Off” position and turn the pressure control to its lowest setting. 

Next, you need to reverse the spray tip. Once this is done, proceed by disengaging the trigger lock on the gun. Hold the metal part of the gun against a metal pail and press down on the trigger to slowly release the pressure from the gun. 

Then, turn the trigger lock back to its original position and switch the prime valve to the drain position. That’s it; now you’re ready to move on to the next step. 

Step 2 - Put On Protective Gear And Clothing

Even if the paint you’re using is not toxic, it is natural to want to protect your clothes and skin. Before beginning the process, protect your eyes, hands, and clothes with the right protective gear. 

Step 3 - Flush Out The Remaining Paint

Before cleaning the individual components, you need to flush the remaining paint from the sprayer. Begin by removing the tip and tip guard. 

Next, remove the fluid intake and drain tube and place it into a bucket filled with flushing fluid. Use water as a flushing fluid for water-based paints and mineral spirit for oil-based paints.

You can keep another container or bucket handy if you wish to save the paint clogged inside the gun. If you don’t mind wasting it, switch the prime valve to the “spray” setting and flush the paint into your waste container. Continue this until you see only the flushing fluid being pushed out of the gun without any paint in it. 

Step 4 - Cleaning The Pump

Once you have flushed out the remaining paint from the gun, turn the trigger switch back to its “Off” position. Turn the prime valve back to “prime” and turn the trigger back on. 

Now, the flushing fluid will circulate throughout the pump, flushing out any remaining bits of paint from the system. Once the flushing fluid runs clear without any paint in it, you can move on to the next step. 

Step 5 - Cleaning The Gun

Once the pump system is clean of any remaining paint, you can begin cleaning the gun and hose. Begin by turning the prime valve to “spray” and turning the switch “on.” 

Flush out all the flushing fluid from the pump and gun by holding down the trigger. Now, turn the pressure control to its lowest setting. Remove all the filters from the gun carefully after you turn off the primary power source of the gun. 

Step 6 - Cleaning The Filter And Tip

For the final step, you need to clean the filters and tip carefully to remove any clogged paint, grime, and dirt from them. Doing this should bring your paint sprayer back to its original form and enable you to use it. 

Place all the filters in a container filled with flushing fluid and allow the paint to chip off naturally. Remove the rest of the paint from the filters using a rag or a soft brush. 

Once this is done, carefully reassemble the paint sprayer. Remember to wipe every part carefully, including the interior and exterior.

Final Words