How to Clean a Paint Spray Gun

Paint spray guns can create smooth, even finishes, even for painting amateurs. However, the paint spray gun must be cleaned carefully after every use. Otherwise, you run the risk of damaging the parts with the paint gun, or even tinting new paint with colors from past paint jobs. Although the first time you clean a paint spray gun it may seem like an arduous process, as you become more familiar with your spray gun, the clean up will become easier.

Step 1: Don't remove the safety gear you were wearing to use the paint sprayer. Eye protection and a face mask should be worn until the paint spray gun is mostly clean.

Step 2: Spray the paint gun until any paint still caught in the system has been expressed. Then, unplug the paint gun, and press it one last time to release the built up pressure.

Step 3: Rinse the main paint container out with paint thinner. Once the paint container is completely clean, discard the old paint thinner. Fill the paint gun container with a small amount of clean paint thinner.

Step 4: Plug in the sprayer and depress the trigger of the paint gun while pointing the nozzle into a bucket. Continue depressing the nozzle until all of the paint thinner has worked it's way through the system.

Step 5: Unplug the paint sprayer once more and remove the paint container completely by unscrewing it.

Step 6: Remove the suction tube and filter from the paint gun. Rinse the filter in a solution of dish washing liquid and warm water. Scrub the suction tube with an old toothbrush, rinsing it out in the dish washing liquid solution. Rinse both parts thoroughly with clean, tepid water once they are completely clean.

Step 7: Do a visual inspection of the paint sprayer. Use a rag saturated with paint thinner to remove any specks of paint that you see from the body of the paint sprayer.

Step 8: Allow all of the parts to dry completely before reassembly the paint sprayer and storing it for later use.