MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING
Maintenance of air-assist airless spray guns
includes three areas:
• fluid tip wear and replacement
• lubrication
• cleaning of the gun
FLUID TIPS
Operating an air-assist airless spray gun with a worn
fluid tip will result in increased usage of spraying
material and therefore, hazardous air pollutants. For
example, an increase in the diameter of a tip from .4 to
.5mm [0.015 to 0.021 in] due to wear can result in
up to a 100 percent increase in material consumption
and cost. To prevent waste in spraying material and
non-value-added costs, a maintenance schedule that
includes fluid tip inspection and replacement, should be
established.
LUBRICATION
Proper lubrication is essential for optimum spray gun
performance. Lubrication allows the equipment to
operate easily and correctly. The spray gun should be
lubricated after each cleaning. The points that need
lubrication during the maintenance of air-assist airless
spray guns include the fluid needle packing and trigger
pivot point.
Never immerse the entire gun in solvent or thinners. Some
gun parts will lose their lubricative film and wear more
quickly. Additionally, solvents may carry impurities
throughout the gun body and allow them to clog small
air and fluid passages.
!
CAUTION
CLEANING
The following steps summarize the procedure for
cleaning air- assist airless spray guns:
1. Turn off the air supply to the gun.
2. Turn off air supply to the pump and relieve fluid
pressure. This may be accomplished by opening the
bypass valve, if so equipped.
3. Place the material suction tube into a solvent
container. If the pump is directly immersed in
material, remove the pump and immerse it in a
container containing solvent.
4. Engage the gun trigger safety switch into the locked
position (move down).
5. Remove the fluid or twist tip and place it in a closed
solvent container.
Use only compatible solvents that are identified as approved
for cleaning and wash-off use.
NOTE
6. Adjust the pump air supply regulator to its lowest
level (turning knob counter-clockwise).
7. Release the gun trigger safety switch into the
unlocked position (move up).
8. Turn on the air supply to the pump and close the
bypass valve, if so equipped.
9. Slowly adjust the pump air supply regulator until the
pump begins to cycle (turning knob clockwise).
Failure to reduce pump air supply pressure or to use a closed
container can result in material “bounce-back”.
Material “bounce back” can cause injury and damage.
!
WARNING
During cleaning, the gun may only be sprayed into a closed
earth-grounded container, never flush the gun into the air or
spray booth.
NOTE
10. Trigger the gun into a closed earth-grounded
container until the fluid runs clear.
11. Using a rag dampened with solvent, wipe the
exterior surface of the gun. Additionally, some
solvents are prohibited from being used for cleaning.
The operator must take care to use only approved
cleaning solvents for equipment cleaning. These
materials are clearly labeled as approved for
cleaning and wash off operations. If the operator
has any question on selecting appropriate cleaning
solvents, the operator should consult a supervisor or
plant environmental staff.
EN
77-3131-R1.0 (12/2017)
11 / 16
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