Can you run paint thinner through a paint sprayer?

It cannot be denied that with the great uses paint sprayers have brought to users. But to be able to use the paint sprayer for a long time and give good paint quality, we need to clean it! It will be best if you give birth regularly and properly.

The sprayer should be cleaned after each painting. Paint Thinner is considered one of the solvents that help thin paint very well. It is also used a lot in cleaning paint sprayers, especially oil paints. What is a paint thinner? Can you run paint thinner through a paint sprayer? Find out with PaintSpayers in the article below!

Can you run paint thinner through a paint sprayer?

Yes, you can run paint thinner through a paint sprayer. People often use paint thinner to remove old paint stains in paint sprayers by running solvents through the machine. But you need to pay attention to some important things to avoid damaging the paint sprayer.

You can run paint thinner through a paint sprayer

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When there are too many old paint stains inside the paint sprayer, the paint thinner running through the sprayer will help you remove the plaque. Especially with oil-based paints like lacquer, you must use paint thinner to be able to completely wash it off. In case you use water instead of paint thinner, the paint you use must be water-based.

If the inside of your paint sprayer has too much old paint and it has formed solid plaque. You should leave the paint thinner inside the machine for a short time, about 30 minutes to 1 hour, and then turn the paint sprayer on. It will help you remove the paint stains inside and out.

Let the machine run until no more dirt is excreted. If there is still paint on the inside, repeat the process of running the paint thinner through the sprayer until it is completely clean.

Paint thinners are handy and the best choice for cleaning oil-based paint. However, it has a lot of things that you need to be aware of when using it. Paint Thinner is a hot and highly corrosive solvent.

It can corrode the seals in the sprayer. It can even damage your paint sprayer if you don’t use it properly. We’ll show you more detail and paint thinners below.

How to run paint thinner through a paint sprayer to clean?

You will perform paint gun cleaning by running paint thinner through a paint sprayer with the following 5 easy steps:

Release the pressure of the air in the sprayer
Rinse off the remaining paint in the paint sprayer
Clean the paint sprayer pump
Clean the remaining parts
Dry and reassemble the parts

Step 1: Release the pressure of the air in the sprayer

Reduce the pressure present in the paint sprayer to make cleaning the sprayer easier. Turn on the trigger guard to prevent spray paint from going your way. Turn off the paint gun then lower the pressure as low as possible.

Remove the trigger and spray any remaining paint in the sprayer into the waste bin to release any built-up pressure. This makes it safer for you to clean the spray gun.

Then you re-screw the trigger and valve, depending on the paint gun you use to adjust it correctly.

Step 2: Rinse off the remaining paint in the paint sprayer

Drain all paint present in the paint gun system. Both the tips and the paint gun guards should also be removed. Place the end of your exhaust in the empty bucket and start flushing. If you regret the remaining paint you can discharge them into a clean bin for further use.

Step 3: Clean the paint sprayer

In this step we are going to run paint thinner through a paint sprayer. Prepare a paint thinner container and a waste container.

Brush away the paint stains on the surface of the parts with paint thinner

Place the nozzle in the paint thinner container and the nozzle in the waste container. Turn on the sprayer and start spraying. Observe the amount of waste coming out. When there are no paint particles and clear solvents, stop the machine. Place the nozzle in the water and start spraying again.

Spray until clean water cleans the solvent in the paint sprayer, then pull up the straw. Let the machine spray out all the dirty water inside and turn off the machine.

Step 4: Clean the remaining parts

Remove parts such as paint gun, filters, nozzles for cleaning. You can use a toothbrush or small brush and brush away the paint stains on the surface of the parts with paint thinner.

Step 5: Dry other parts and assembly

After cleaning, proceed to dry the parts. You can use a towel to dry or let it dry naturally. Some heatless blowers are also used in this case. Then, carefully reassemble the parts. You’ve got a clean paint sprayer.

What should you pay attention to so that the paint sprayer is not damaged when using paint thinner to clean?

You need to be very careful in the process of using paint thinner to clean the paint sprayer. This is a very strong corrosive detergent. It is also quite toxic and can affect your health.

You need to pay attention to some of the following points so that the spray gun is not damaged and protects your health:

Never immerse the spray gun in paint thinner. Potentially corrosive solvents can damage the paint gun. Also, consider this because paint thinner running through the paint gun can wear down some stickers.
Soaking the hood in paint thinner will damage the rubber seals inside the hood
Soaking the paint block gun body will have to operate 24/24, reducing the durability of the paint blocking gasket

You’ve got a clean paint sprayer

Soaking the tail of the gun will damage the inner seal, leading to a situation where the trigger has not been pulled but the gas at the cap has leaked out.
Do not clean by removing the nozzle of the spray gun (limited removal, the needle is still removable).
When the nozzle is not installed tightly, the spray will spray out unstable, jerky. Compressed air flows back into the paint cup.
If you use paint thinner to clean the sprayer, always be sure to wear appropriate PPE, at least gloves, goggles, and a respirator. This last one is important as they will give off fumes that can be absorbed and ingested through absorption and respiration. This type of product needs to be stored carefully, preferably in open spaces.
Avoid working with thinner in confined or low-vented areas and try to use working mechanical ventilation in the home. You should also have a fire extinguisher nearby as the solvent can be very flammable.

Final Words

Paint Thinner is a cleaning agent capable of cleaning old paint stains on paint sprayers very conveniently. In addition to cleaning equipment, it can also run through a paint sprayer to clean. We’ve helped you answer the question: Can you run paint thinner through a paint sprayer? Hope you can successfully clean your paint sprayer with paint thinner through the things we share.

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