We answer a question about how to clean an airless pump. This step is often perceived as being time consuming and painful. However, it is not complicated if you know how to do it. In short: get the paint out of the unit, rinse with water, clean the filters/nozzles and that’s it.

In this video we show you how to clean a Graco UltraMax II 695 Standard airless pump in just a few minutes in our Airless Discounter training centre.

How to properly rinse and clean your airless pump?

We present a step-by-step procedure for flushing and cleaning a Graco piston pump. This applies to water-soluble paints and is comparable to most sprayers.

Step 1 – Pump the paint out of the machine

After the job, there is still paint in the sprayer and in the hose. This paint has to come out first before cleaning. A bucket of water is needed for this. The water is sucked out and the paint is expelled from the pump.

To do this, the discharge valve is set to return mode (down) so that the paint is pumped out of the unit via the return hose and back into the paint bucket. This protects the environment by saving material. Make sure that there is not too much water in the paint bucket.

Step 2 – Pump the paint out of the hose and gun

In step 1, the paint was pumped out of the device and replaced with water. In the second step, this procedure is applied to the hose. This is because there is still paint in the hose and the gun. First, unscrew the nozzle holder from the gun. The discharge valve should be set to spray mode (straight ahead) so that the pump delivers the paint to the gun.

The water can now be sucked in at low pressure. The paint can be sprayed into the paint bucket with the gun until the water arrives. Caution: low pressure is more than enough.

Step 3 – Flush pump, hose and gun with clean water

In the third step, repeat steps 1 and 2 with clean water. Water is now pumped from a bucket of clean water to the bucket of dirty water. The suction hose is then cleaned of paint residue with a brush, paintbrush or sponge as you prefer.

Step 4 – Cleaning the primary filter

In the fourth step, the main filter is removed and cleaned. To do this, unscrew the filter housing and remove it for cleaning. The filter housing can also be cleaned from the inside with a cloth, paper or brush. We recommend that you remove any paint from the threads of the housing, otherwise it may not close properly.

You may then use some TSL as well (video explanation).

Step 5 – Cleaning and replacing the gun filter

The gun filter should also be flushed. If the filter is too dirty or damaged, it must be replaced. To do this, unscrew the gun handle and remove the filter. Simply clean this part and pay attention to the threads when inserting the filter.

Step 6 – Clean the nozzle holder and nozzle

Finish your cleaning session with the nozzle and nozzle holder. Caution: There are two seals in the nozzle holder, which can easily be lost during cleaning. For cleaning and storing the nozzles, you can use a cleaning Egg-timer like this one.

This prevents the paint from drying out in the nozzle channel, which would make the nozzle unusable. Finally, the water can be used again to flush the entire system until the desired degree of cleaning is achieved.

Step 7 – Keep your pump frost-free and in good condition as long as possible

If the airless painting station is not used for a certain period of time, it must be stored. Special products are available for this purpose to be sucked into the unit (pure or diluted with water) and remain there until the next use. These preservatives protect the sprayer from corrosion, blockage and sticking of the valves.

In addition, many of these products have antifreeze properties. In the third part of our video series (Airless Q&A #3), we have summarized for you detailed information on storing pumps.

 

Here is an example of cleaning on GX21 by the manufacturer Graco

 

An other example of deep Clean & maintenance with Ian Crump (PaintTech)

 

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