How to Clean an Automotive Spray Gun

Cleaning an automotive spray gun is essential to having a good paint job. If an automotive spray gun is dirty or full of dried paint, the next paint you try to spray will come out in clumps, splatters or not at all. A clean automotive spray gun delivers a uniform spray, which is necessary for a perfect paint job.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paint thinner
• Rag
• Vinyl brush
• Empty paint container
• Air hose/compressor

1. Pour any unused paint from the spray gun into a clean container to store it. Pour paint thinner into the reservoir of the spray gun and close it.

2. Shake the spray gun thoroughly and then pour the paint thinner out. Fill the gun with clean paint thinner again and unscrew the air valve on the side of the gun. Using an air hose, spray air through the gun until all of the paint thinner comes out.

3. Remove the reservoir from the spray gun. Place a rag over the end cap and pull the trigger on the spray gun to remove any paint or thinner.

4. Clean the gaskets on the spray gun by wiping them with a rag and then rubbing them with a soft vinyl brush. Wipe the spray gun inside and out with paint thinner and a rag and allow it to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean the spray gun as soon as you are done spraying so that the paint is still wet. Dried paint is much harder to clean.
• Do not put the spray gun under water or paint thinner. This allows dirt and other particles to enter areas of the gun that can cause damage.