Cleaning Paint guns

GregtheDC · Jul 19, 2014

I am a novice at painting, and am restoring some old implements to take to shows with my SA. IT seems like I paint for 20 min and spend an hour or more cleaning the spray gun to make sure it is really clean and will be ready for next time. Is this normal or am I just too slow and wasting time? I am using some inexpensive Harbor Freight guns, but they seem to do the job for me. LIke I said old implements, not like painting a car. Thanks
Greg

SW EM · Jul 19, 2014

It's not out of the normal to spend 20 minutes or more to clean the gun and mixing cup. I've done it so many times now that I have developed a system that takes me about 20 minutes. Just make sure when your finished cleaning to run thinner through the gun one last time to check for any missed spots.

dr sportster · Jul 19, 2014

There is a $7. squeeze bottle available at the auto body supply that has a tube sticking out . You just fill it with reducer and squirt a bit down into the pick-up tube,when it comes out clean the gun is clean. It is illegal to spray thinner out of the gun into the air when cleaning.
That plastic bottle is great.

Stonesmalleng88 · Jul 19, 2014

For Gravity feed guns 3M makes a kit..you need an adapter to fit your gun and there is a container and a liner..a liner top, and the black nut.the liner top has a screen in it...i filter my paint going into the liner..so the paint is filtered 2 times..when your done..you throw away the liner..i put a new liner in with solvent to clean to the gun out..i think this is a good idea..when your all done..get a flat plastic container with a plastic lid..take your gun, all apart and let it soak in the solvent.then then dry it off..reassemble..then your ready for the next time your going to use it..

Stonesmalleng88 · Jul 19, 2014

Another neat little tool i picked up at home depot..was a plastic poring tool..you clip this on the inner lip OF THE 1 Gal can and pore your paint out..i helps from having to big a mess

Stonesmalleng88 · Jul 21, 2014

Another nice little idem is this Arial-sol spray touch up unit..for the woops ..i missed that spot...

GregtheDC · Jul 21, 2014

THanks for the help, I appreciate the replies.

Dick L · Jul 29, 2014

I paint the same way. I run thinner thru until it sprays clear then put a rag over the end to blow and bubble back into the can. Spray more thru and let it set about half full of thinner. Being half full takes longer to evaporate and gives me more time before I have a mess to soak out. If I spray in the evening and plan on spraying the next forenoon I let it set with paint in the gun. When I start to paint I shoot a little out and then use the rag over the end to bubble back into the gun can. Oh I loosen the lid when I blow back into the can. I have a box of paint guns I forgot to get back to take care of. Not what the pros like to hear but it works for me.

Cleaning Paint guns

GregtheDC

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SW EM

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dr sportster

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Stonesmalleng88

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Stonesmalleng88

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Stonesmalleng88

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GregtheDC

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Dick L

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