A Graco paint sprayer is a handy tool for achieving a professional finish on your painting projects.
However, it is important to properly clean your Graco paint sprayer after each use to ensure it continues to work well and produce a smooth, even application of paint.
This guide is for those newbies who want to know how to clean graco paint sprayer at home without making any mistakes and messing with the paint sprayer.
How to clean graco paint sprayer?
Cleaning a Graco paint sprayer is an important step in maintaining its performance and prolonging its lifespan.
Regular cleaning will ensure that your sprayer is ready to go when you need it and will produce a smooth, even application of paint.
In this article, we will walk you through the steps of cleaning a Graco paint sprayer and provide tips and tricks for getting the job done right.
Materials you will need:
- Water
- Mineral spirits or paint thinner
- Clean rags or paper towels
- Clean bucket or container
- Screwdriver or wrench
- Disposable gloves
Step 1:
Flush the Hose and Gun The first step in cleaning a Graco paint sprayer is to flush out the hose and gun.
This will remove any excess paint that may be inside the system and prevent clogging. To flush the hose and gun, follow these steps:
- Fill a clean bucket or container with water or a mineral spirits and water solution.
- Connect the hose to the gun and place the other end in the bucket or container.
- Turn on the air compressor and spray the solution through the gun until the water or solution runs clear. This may take several minutes depending on the amount of paint inside the system.
- Repeat this process until the water or solution runs clear.
Step 2:
Clean the Gun After flushing the hose and gun, it’s time to clean the gun itself. To do this, follow these steps:
- Remove the tip guard and nozzle from the gun.
- Soak the tip guard and nozzle in a container of mineral spirits or paint thinner.
- Use a clean rag or paper towel to scrub the tip guard and nozzle, removing any paint residue.
- Rinse the tip guard and nozzle in water and dry with a clean rag or paper towel.
Step 3:
Clean the Hose The hose should be cleaned after the gun to prevent any paint residue from re-entering the system. To clean the hose, follow these steps:
- Disconnect the hose from the gun.
- Fill a clean bucket or container with water or a mineral spirits and water solution.
- Immerse the hose in the solution and use a clean rag or paper towel to scrub the interior of the hose, removing any paint residue.
- Rinse the hose in the water and dry it with a clean rag or paper towel.
Step 4:
Clean the Pump The pump is one of the most important parts of a Graco paint sprayer and should be cleaned regularly to maintain its performance. To clean the pump, follow these steps:
- Disconnect the pump from the air compressor.
- Remove the pump from the sprayer.
- Use a screwdriver or wrench to remove the inlet and outlet filters.
- Soak the inlet and outlet filters in a container of mineral spirits or paint thinner.
- Use a clean rag or paper towel to scrub the pump and filters, removing any paint residue.
- Rinse the pump and filters in water and dry them with a clean rag or paper towel.
- Reinstall the inlet and outlet filters.
Step 5:
Reassemble the Sprayer After cleaning all the parts of the Graco paint sprayer, it’s time to reassemble the sprayer. To do this, follow these steps:
- Reinstall the pump onto the sprayer.
- Connect the hose to the gun.
- Reinstall the tip guard and nozzle onto the gun.
- Turn on the air compressor and test the sprayer to make sure it is
How do you clean a Graco sprayer after use?
Cleaning a Graco sprayer after use is an important step to ensure its longevity and performance. Here are the steps to clean a Graco sprayer:
- Flush the Sprayer: After use, flush the sprayer with water to remove any remaining paint or coating.
- Disassemble the Sprayer: Disassemble the sprayer into its separate parts, including the hose, gun, and tip. This will make it easier to clean each part thoroughly.
- Clean the Gun and Hose: Clean the gun and hose with a solvent, such as mineral spirits or lacquer thinner, to remove any remaining paint or coating. Use a brush to scrub the interior of the hose and gun.
- Clean the Tip: Clean the tip with a solvent, being careful not to damage the delicate orifice. You can also use a tip cleaner tool to remove any build-up.
- Rinse with Water: Rinse all parts thoroughly with water to remove any solvent residue.
- Dry the Parts: Dry all parts thoroughly with a clean cloth or let them air dry.
- Reassemble the Sprayer: Once all parts are clean and dry, reassemble the sprayer.
It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use the recommended solvents and cleaning procedures to avoid damaging the sprayer.
Regular cleaning and maintenance of your Graco sprayer will help to extend its life and maintain its performance.
What can I use to clean my Graco paint gun?
You can use several solvents to clean your Graco paint gun, including:
- Mineral spirits: This is a common solvent used for cleaning paint equipment and is often recommended by Graco. It effectively removes oil-based paints, varnishes, and stains.
- Lacquer thinner: This solvent is also commonly used for cleaning paint equipment and is suitable for removing both oil-based and lacquer-based paints.
- Acetone: This is a fast-evaporating solvent that is effective for cleaning up after using water-based paints, adhesives, and coatings.
- Denatured alcohol: This is another option for cleaning up after using water-based paints and is a good alternative for those who prefer to avoid harsh chemicals.
Regardless of the solvent you choose, it’s important to use it in a well-ventilated area and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use.
When cleaning the paint gun, disassemble it into its separate parts and soak the parts in the solvent, using a brush to scrub away any paint residue.
Rinse the parts thoroughly with water and let them air dry before reassembling the gun.
How do you clean a Graco airless gun?
Cleaning a Graco airless paint gun after each use is important to maintain its performance and extend its lifespan. Here are the steps to clean a Graco airless gun:
- Flush the gun: After use, flush the gun with water or solvent to remove any remaining paint or coating. If you’re using water-based paint, you can use water to flush the gun. For oil-based paints or coatings, you’ll need to use a solvent such as mineral spirits or lacquer thinner.
- Disassemble the gun: Disassemble the gun into its separate parts, including the hose, gun, and tip. This will make it easier to clean each part thoroughly.
- Clean the gun and hose: Clean the gun and hose with a solvent, such as mineral spirits or lacquer thinner, to remove any remaining paint or coating. Use a brush to scrub the interior of the hose and gun.
- Clean the tip: Clean the tip with a solvent, being careful not to damage the delicate orifice. You can also use a tip cleaner tool to remove any build-up.
- Rinse with water: Rinse all parts thoroughly with water to remove any solvent residue.
- Dry the parts: Dry all parts thoroughly with a clean cloth or let them air dry.
- Reassemble the gun: Once all parts are clean and dry, reassemble the gun.
It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use the recommended solvents and cleaning procedures to avoid damaging the gun.
Regular cleaning and maintenance of your Graco airless gun will help to extend its life and maintain its performance.
Can I use paint thinner to clean my Graco paint sprayer?
Yes, paint thinner can be used to clean a Graco paint sprayer.
However, it’s important to note that not all paint thinners are created equal, and some may be too harsh and damaging to the internal components of your sprayer.
It’s best to use a solvent that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer, such as the Graco CleanShot Valve Cleaner, which is designed specifically for cleaning Graco sprayers.
When using paint thinner or any other solvent, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
And to take proper safety precautions, such as wearing gloves and eye protection, and working in a well-ventilated area.
Additionally, be sure to completely flush out the solvent after cleaning and before using the sprayer again to ensure that no residual solvent remains in the system.
How to clean graco 360 paint sprayer?
To clean your Graco 360 paint sprayer, follow these steps:
- Remove the tip and guard from the sprayer and soak them in a cleaning solution recommended by Graco, such as Mineral Spirits or Lacquer Thinner.
- Flush the hose and gun with the same cleaning solution, making sure to run it through both the suction and pressure sides.
- Clean the pump by running the cleaning solution through it until it runs clear.
- Disassemble the gun and sprayer, and soak all parts in the cleaning solution.
- After the parts have soaked, use a soft brush to scrub away any remaining paint.
- Rinse the parts with water and dry them thoroughly before reassembling the sprayer.
Note: Always wear protective gloves and eye protection when cleaning the sprayer, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintenance.
How to clean graco x7 paint sprayer
To clean your Graco 360 paint sprayer, follow these steps:
- Remove the tip and guard against the sprayer and soak them in a cleaning solution recommended by Graco, such as Mineral Spirits or Lacquer Thinner.
- Flush the hose and gun with the same cleaning solution, making sure to run it through both the suction and pressure sides.
- Clean the pump by running the cleaning solution through it until it runs clear.
- Disassemble the gun and sprayer, and soak all parts in the cleaning solution.
- After the parts have soaked, use a soft brush to scrub away any remaining paint.
- Rinse the parts with water and dry them thoroughly before reassembling the sprayer.
Note: Always wear protective gloves and eye protection when cleaning the sprayer, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintenance.
Can I leave paint in graco sprayer between coats
It’s not recommended to leave paint in the Graco sprayer between coats. This can cause the paint to harden and clog the sprayer, making it difficult or impossible to use in the future.
Instead, you should clean the sprayer thoroughly after each use to ensure that it is ready for the next coat of paint.
This will help extend the life of the sprayer and prevent issues with clogging or decreased performance.
If you need to take a break during a painting project, you can empty the remaining paint into a container,
Clean the sprayer thoroughly, And then refill it with fresh paint when you’re ready to continue.
Conclusion of how to clean graco paint sprayer
In conclusion, cleaning a Graco paint sprayer is an essential step to ensure its longevity and optimal performance.
Regular cleaning can prevent clogs and other issues that can affect the sprayer’s ability to deliver consistent, even coats of paint.
Matthew Edward is a professional painter who loves to paint and wants to share useful tips and tricks which he had learned in many years of experience in painting. He also used many products that can be used for painting he has tried and tested each and every product to give an unbias opinion about it in his review. This blog is very useful for those newbies who want to learn painting without making mistakes.