GETTING BACK TO BASICS
Cleaning a spray gun promptly after use is the difference between a tool that lasts years and one that ruins your next project. Whether using HVLP or conventional spray guns, the process revolves around flushing, disassembling, and soaking key components to present hardened paint residue.
Here are a few tips on cleaning your spray gun.
- Safety first – use gloves and respirator and work in a well-ventilated place.
- Remove all residual paint.
- Do an initial flush.
- Do a spray through.
- Clean the cups.
The steps will be disassembly, detailed cleaning and soaking, final rinse and dry, reassembly and lubrication.
Extra Tips
- Between coats you don’t need to fully clean the gun. Just rinse and keep everything clean.
- Always strain paint into the pot to prevent clogs before they happen.
- Replace worn parts regularly.
- Check for damaged, bent, or worn parts that could cause leaks.
Final tips
- Always soak parts, scrub using small brushes or toothpicks to clean small holes in the air cap and inside of the nozzle.
- Clean air passages.
- Rinse parts with clean solvent.
- Dry completely using compressed air to dry all parts, especially the small holes and internal channels. This prevents corrosion.
- Wipe the gun body down.
- Reassemble everything and lubricate.
- Do a test run.
- Spray gun cleaning kits are available from Vermont Sales.
AirCraft brand
The AirCraft brand offers a comprehensive solution for all your pneumatic requirements. The range offers a wide selection of pneumatic tools, spray painting equipment, couplers, hoses, and pneumatic tool accessories. Visit the AirCraft website for a comprehensive overview of the brand: https://www.vermontsales.co.za/Brand-AIRCRAFT
You can view any product before you buy it at their exhibition centre located next to the Vermont Sales head office in Midrand.
