How to Clean an Airless Sprayer
Clean an airless paint sprayer before the coating dries or cures inside the fluid path. Use the cleaner approved for both the coating and your equipment. Clear-looking liquid from the gun alone does not prove the prime valve, filters and tip are clean.
Prepare before switching fluids
Read the sprayer’s pressure-relief and flushing instructions. Have suitable collection containers, approved cleaner, cleaning brushes and required protective equipment ready. Check ventilation, ignition controls and grounding requirements, especially for flammable coatings or solvents. Do not spray solvent into the room to empty the hose.
Work through the entire fluid path
- Relieve pressure. Switch off and perform the complete model-specific relief procedure before removing the tip, guard or filters. Isolate power when servicing components.
- Separate reusable paint from waste. Recover material only by the approved procedure. Keep cleaner and contaminated return liquid out of the clean paint container.
- Flush the pump and prime valve. Place the suction inlet in the approved cleaning fluid and direct the prime tube into a suitable waste container. Use the prescribed valve positions and low flushing pressure.
- Flush the hose and gun. Follow the manual’s collection and grounding procedure. Keep the gun controlled and directed safely; do not create an unnecessary high-pressure solvent mist. Do not deep the spray gun into the fluid for long time which will damage the surface or O-ring inside the pistol.
- Clean removable parts. After pressure relief, clean the tip, guard, inlet strainer and applicable pump and gun filters. Use a soft compatible brush; avoid metal objects that damage the tip or filter.
- Inspect and reassemble. Look for damaged seals, blocked mesh and deteriorated hoses. Restore all guards and filters in the specified configuration.
Which cleaner should I use?
Many water-based paints can be flushed with water while wet. Traditional solvent-based products require their specified cleaner, which is not always ordinary mineral spirits. Reactive coatings may cure despite flushing attempts if cleaning starts too late. See the coating-specific cleaner guide before selecting a fluid.
Prepare the pump for storage
Cleaning, hydraulic oil, throat lubricant and storage protection serve different purposes. Do not substitute throat seal liquid or unspecified “white oil” for an approved fluid-path storage product. Follow the DP’s paint spray machine manual for storage fluid, concentration, valve position and temperature limits. Water remaining in the system can create corrosion or freezing problems when the temperature is under 0
Why does paint appear again after flushing?
Residue may remain in a filter, dead space or return passage. Follow the complete cleaning sequence rather than repeatedly spraying more cleaner through the tip. If the pump is already blocked by hardened coating, stop and arrange service instead of forcing it to run.
Collect and dispose of cleaning waste according to the product and local requirements. Check for leaks during the next controlled startup.
