The days have become memories when painting surfaces was done with brushes and rollers. Now to complete multiple painting projects, different types of small and large paint guns are used. The most common paint spray gun which is the best friend of professionals as well as beginners is the HVLP spray gun.
HVLP spray gun has changed the hectic task of painting into a fun job. Anyone can paint different household things like furniture and vehicles with proper knowledge of using guns.
Painting no longer remains a difficult task now but for getting the benefits of painting with an HVLP spray gun, you will have to focus on the maintenance of the gun.
Although it is not rocket science to clean paint spray guns it is very important for the better use of guns and for saving time and money.
When you use a paint gun for a long time, you should clean your gun after every use to maintain its efficiency.
what do i use to clean hvlp spray gun after use?
When you make the proper use of a gun, it is very necessary to know about the different solvents used to clean your HVLP paint spray gun.
If your HVLP spray gun is covered all over with paint having multiple residues, it looks absurd and creates difficulty in using, it needs cleaning urgently. It doesn’t take much time but makes your gun a charming and easy-working tool.
You can find different solvents to clean your HVLP paint spray gun, but the most commonly used and recommended by the experts, are the following best for the purpose.
#1. Acetone
Acetone is one of the best solvents to clean the HVLP spray gun. It can melt, dissolve and remove any type of paint, grease, or residue from a surface.
Acetone is a very cheap solvent and easily available in the market. Acetone is normally found in nail polish remover. It is flammable, so it evaporates soon after use.
#2. Lacquer Thinner
The next best solvent used to clean the HVLP spray gun is lacquer thinner. Lacquer thinner is also like acetone which can clean all types of paint and residues from your gun.
It can cut grease, wax, and dried paint from the gun and evaporate quickly. Although it is unusually flammable and used on a large scale in industries. So it should be used to be more vigilant.
#3. Mineral spirits
The painter generally asks me, can I use mineral spirits to clean my paint sprayer? I always tell them that you can use any automotive.
Mineral spirits can be used with water to clean your HVLP paint gun because it is particularly made to clean spray guns.
What Is The Necessary Equipment For Cleaning The HVLP Spray Guns?
If you want to clean your HVLP spray gun, you must ensure the following supplies are with you in your hand;
- cleaning solution
- soapy water
- glasses
- gloves
- cleaning brush
- paper towel
- plastic bucket
- toothpicks
- wrench to open the screws of a gun, etc.
In addition to that, you should have the knowledge to use them properly.
What Is The Process Of Cleaning The HVLP Spray Guns?
When you have all the supplies in hand and start the work follow the instructions;
- #1. Fill the cup with cleaning material like thinner, and cover it with a cap
- #2. Shake the fluid and pull the trigger as a test to spray on a plastic sheet
- #3. Use a paper towel to clean it thoroughly
- #4. Unscrew the HVLP spray gun, first air cap from the gun and then the inner part of the gun
- #5. Now dip the unscrewed parts into the thinner and leave them for at least half an hour
- #6. Keep the small parts separately so they may not be damaged
- #7. Leave the free for some time so that the residues inside the gun may be removed easily
- #8. Don’t keep needle or spring in the thinner, because they can be lost
- #9. When the gun parts are soaked completely, start wiping them carefully
- #10. Use different brushes to scrub the additional residues
- #11. After removing all the smudges, residues, and bubbles of paint, let them dry
- #12. Now reassemble the parts of the gun carefully
Here is the detailed video tutorial for cleaning paint gun;
Precautions
By using the best solvent to clean the HVLP spray gun, you should follow the following precautions;
- #1. Read the manual or online about cleaning the gun
- #2. Disassemble the spray gun carefully
- #3. Treat each gun differently as they are manufactured differently
- #4. Keep the small tiny parts separately from the big parts of the gun carefully to save them from any damage
- #5. Reassemble the parts respectively as you opened them
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I clean the HVLP paint spray gun?
When you start cleaning the spray gun, unplug it from power, separate the hose pipe with a wrench, dip the parts in the material, and when soaked completely, clean them and adjust them again.
What solvent cleans HVLP guns?
There are many solvents in the market used to clean the HVLP spray gun. The most common are lacquer thinner, acetone, and mineral spirits.
What supplies are necessary to clean the HVLP spray gun?
Cleaning solution, cleaning brush, paper towel, soapy water, glasses, gloves, plastic bucket, toothpicks, wrench to open the screws of the gun, etc. are necessary supplies to clean the HVLP spray gun.
Finally
It is very important to clean your HVLP spray gun soon after you use it. If you put the gun as you left the work, the paint will dry inside the gun. There will be a lot of smudges and bubbles of paint on the gun.
So keep it in good condition, you should learn what solvent to use to clean the HVLP spray gun. That’s why I would suggest using lacquer thinner, acetone, and mineral spirits. The health and working of your spray gun depend on careful maintenance.
