How to Clean a Urethane Acrylic Spray Gun

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Things You'll Need

  • Respiratory protection

  • Gloves

  • Solvent

  • Waste container

  • Small container for cleaning parts in solvent

  • Multi-wrench tool for spray gun

  • Bristle brush with plastic bristles

  • Clean rags

An airless or HVLP sprayer is commonly used to paint things such as furniture or vehicles that require a clear finish coat like urethane. Urethane bonds to the surface it is sprayed on, and is a durable type of paint material. This also makes proper cleanup a necessity, as tools such as the spray gun that apply the urethane will become clogged and useless if the urethane dries inside. Use solvents and make sure to clean every part of the spray gun.

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Step 1

Empty the spray gun cup or bottle. You can put the unused urethane back in the original container if you have it, or place it in a waste paint can to dispose of later. Paint products should be taken to a chemical recycling center or paint dealer for disposal.

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Step 2

Pour solvent into the bottle and swish it around inside. Attach the bottle back on the sprayer. Wearing a respirator mask and gloves, spray the gun for about a minute in a well ventilated area. Use a piece of cardboard to spray against, and watch for the spray to become clear when the solvent is all the way through.

Step 3

Remove the air cap from the front of the spray gun. You should be able to unscrew it with your fingers. Soak this in solvent and clean it with a bristle brush. Lay the cap out on a clean rag to dry.

Step 4

Remove the nozzle with the multi-wrench tool that came with your gun. Pulling the trigger while removing it retracts the fluid needle and makes this easier. Soak it in solvent and clean it with the brush, then lay it out to dry.

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Step 5

Unscrew the bottle with the multi-wrench, and pull the filter out of the connector. Hold the gun over the container and pour solvent down inside the filter hole. Use a brush to clean that area, the fluid needle on the front of the gun and all the other nooks and crannies of the gun itself.

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Step 6

Rinse the gun with clean solvent and lay it out to dry. You can used compressed air to dry the gun if you have a compressor, or just wipe it down carefully with clean rags and allow it to air dry. Reassemble the gun when it is completely dry and store for future use.

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