So you have bought an HVLP spray gun and now getting confused about how to clean an HVLP spray gun? Here is the ultimate guide that will allow you to have a seamless cleaning capability.
Do read the article entirely so that you would be able to understand a better way of cleaning. But first, let us tell you about the HVLP spray gun. What is it, and how does it perform?
A complete guideline for cleaning your spray gun is here to consider and see for yourself how convenient it is to clean your very own HVLP spray gun.
What Is HVLP?
HVLP (High Volume, Low Pressure) guns atomize paint by passing air through the nozzle rather than pressure.
Even though 50 percent of the gun’s air pressure will be coming from the air cap (from where the paint comes out), you’ll only be getting about 10 percent of it. Low-pressure air will escape but in large quantities (high volume).
Here’s how you can look at it. The HVLP gun will only produce about 10psi of air instead of 50psi like an old-style gun.
The 50 psi of an old gun sprayed as much paint into the air as was on the car. The atomization and application of the paint worked well, but they waste a lot of it.
Rather than spraying paint into the air, an HVLP gun dispenses paint directly on the car at much lower pressure.
If you do not atomize the paint correctly, you need to adjust the gun. You save both time and money by saving paint.
Essentials Deem Necessary For How-To Clean HVLP Spray Gun?
Maintaining the quality of your HVLP spray gun is not difficult, but you need to clean it frequently to keep it in top-notch condition.
Despite the temptation, it’s the worst thing you can do with spray guns to leave the clean-up for later. Besides, paint can quickly become stuck and clogged inside the gun if it is left to dry.
Even after cleaning it thoroughly, you may still have paint residue that gets stuck inside and causes buildup. If it clogs, you may have issues with the spray pattern in the future.
Further, you need to take the proper steps to keep your gun working well when many small yet essential components are inside.
You should clean its parts immediately after each use. By doing so, you will be able to prolong the life of the spray gun. But, once you get this process down, it’ll be pretty easy to repeat each time.
What Do I Use To Clean Hvlp Spray Gun After Use?
You will probably already have the supplies you need to clean your HVLP spray gun thoroughly. Be sure you already have everything you need to clean your spray gun before you buy a kit.
- A liquid soap
- Thinner
- Cleaning solution
- Goggles
- Buckets
- Gloves
- Cleaning brush
- Plastic cups
- Paper towels
- Toothpicks
- Gun wrench
How To Clean A Hvlp Spray Gun After Use?
Here is the ultimate answer to your question regarding How To Clean Hvlp Spray Gun.
For this, we have managed to draw a few steps that will guide you throughout the complete process. And with this, you would be able to clean your spray gun with ease.
#1. Cleaning Paint Cup
Cleaning the paint cup should be your priority. An immense amount of paint or fluid will likely be on this part.
Hence, your first step should be to fill up the cup with paint thinner or other cleaning solution. If the fluid hasn’t been released in a few minutes, give it a good shake after you’ve filled it up.
After that, pull the trigger of your spray gun and let the paint and the thinner spray into a plastic cup or bucket, for instance.
Through the thinner, some of the deep cleanings will also take place inside the inner workings of the paint spray gun.
To remove the paint from the main body of the cup, you will want to use a paper towel soaked in paint thinner to run through the inside.
As well as for the outside of the cap, it would be best if you cleaned it.
#2. Nozzle
A metal plate protects the spray gun’s nozzle. Removing this is necessary. There is a possibility that paint residue has stuck to it. Remove it with a screwdriver if you wish.
Add thinner to the bowl. After it has soaked, it will probably need to be scrubbed to obliterate the paint. Clean air caps have small holes present which to work the paint expelled into spray patterns.
#3. Springs
On the lower ring of the gun, you can remove the fluid adjuster by screwing it out. Soak it in a bowl of water.
Upon removing the fluid adjuster, you will find the fluid adjuster’s guide and the air valve’s spring.
After pulling the spring out of the gun, you should turn the guide anticlockwise. The fluid needle spring should also be removed.
All three items should be cleaned thoroughly with a cloth soaked in lacquer thinner before being dried. They should be set aside carefully.
#4. Needle
The fluid needle can be accessed once the spring is removed. With the spring out of the way, the needle portion runs along the end of the metal piece.
Once the needle appears enough to be graspable with tweezers, you can turn your HVLP spray gun trigger.
Make sure to pull it very carefully because it’s one of the most delicate parts of the entire sprayer. With the rag soaked in thinner, wipe it clean before letting it air dry.
#5. The Gun Body
After disassembling the spray gun body, you will move on to disassembling the rest of it. The first step is to unscrew the air cap.
Be extremely careful when unscrewing the needle. Set it aside on a paper towel to dry once the paint cup is unscrewed from the gun body.
Fluid needles are usually spring-loaded, which means they will shoot out of the gun as soon as you unscrew them.
To unscrew the inner part of the air cap from your gun, you’ll need to grab the wrench that probably came with it and then set it aside from the other small parts. Here is the kit to clean the gun body and its parts.
#6. Submerge Parts
Taking the spray gun apart will give you an excellent opportunity to scrub the smaller parts.
You can use a simple cleaning solution or soapy water instead of paint thinner since it will simplify this step.
The most important thing is to take good care of all the small parts during cleaning and ensure they are not damaged.
To remove the paint from the outer air cap, inner air cap, and main gun body, we recommend you soak them in paint thinner in a plastic cup or bucket.
If you allow them to soak thoroughly, any paint residue will be broken down, which will make the process of detailing easier.
In other words, to avoid losing or damaging the needle or spring while soaking the components, it is not recommended to soak them all at once in the solution.
#7. Wipe Thoroughly
You can start wiping everything down after you’ve let everything soak in the cleaning solution for some time.
Brushing your bristles and using toothpicks can help here. The fluid tip and air cap pieces should be scrubbed with a brush to remove any remaining residue.
With the soaking time out, it should be much easier to peel away.
You can then take a toothpick to remove any paint built up inside these minor grooves if you see any.
Once you’ve completed this, you’ll clean the fluid needle and spring with a rag or paper towel soaked in the cleaning solution.
#8. Reassemble
The majority of the work is now complete. The spray gun can be kept looking new by wiping down the outside with a rag soaked in thinner and wrung out.
Following a thorough cleaning of all the parts, the spray gun will be ready for reassembling.
To remove the needle and spring, you must place them back in their original positions. After the inner air cap is closed, screw on the outer air cap.
Reassemble the gun body by putting a paint cup on it, then securing the cap on it, and you’re all done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can We Clean The Hvlp Spray Gun Between Coats?
Yes, we can clean the Hvlp spray gun between coats. The procedure is the same that’s explained above.
Should We Clean A Brand New Gun?
No, it’s not necessary to clean a brand new gun before use but for mind satisfaction, you can clean it with cleaner.
Can You Run Paint Thinner Through A Hvlp Spray Gun?
Yes, you can run paint thinner through the Hvlp spray gun. Paint thinner helps to remove paint stains within the spray gun.
How Do You Clean The Spray Gun From Acrylic Paint?
Use a knife, wire brush, or any scrubber to remove old paint. After this replace the dirty water and add fresh water. repeat this procedure and let the water be clear.
Can You Clean A Paint Sprayer With Acetone?
Yes, you can clean the paint sprayer with acetone but it causes some health and safety risks.
Final Thoughts On How To Clean Hvlp Paint Gun
Spraying equipment needs to be cleaned periodically to keep functioning correctly. A better way to begin your painting journey is to learn this process from start to finish as soon as possible.
We suggest getting to know your HVLP gun and exploring how to eliminate paint residue buildup after every use after getting familiar with your particular tool. By taking good care of your spray gun, you may use it for many different DIY projects.
