Get high-level performance for years to come

Buying a paint sprayer is one of the most significant investments you will make as a painting contractor. Thankfully, with a bit of proper maintenance and upkeep, you can keep your new sprayer performing at a high level for years to come.

Sherwin-Williams can help with that maintenance. It has over 100 Spray Source™ spray equipment service centers across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada that offer quick turnaround, on-site demonstrations, training, and more. Factory-trained technicians provide quality service for leading paint spray manufacturers, such as Graco, Titan, Mi-T-M, Champion, and Finishing Brands — Binks/DeVilbiss.

And make no mistake about it, the expert Spray Source service techs are happy to play their part in the success of PRO customers. But if they had their way, contractors would have their spray equipment working efficiently and profitably on a job rather than in the shop for repairs.

Jason Martinez, a Spray Source operations manager in Dallas, says painters most commonly bring their sprayers in for repair when they notice their sprayer isn’t picking up material or priming effectively. Thankfully, those kinds of problems can be prevented through regular cleaning and maintenance.

Martinez offers these six tips to help keep your spray equipment in prime operating condition.

1. Never leave water in a machine for an extended period of time. “Water will rust metal parts and dry out plastic packings in pumps,” says Martinez. “In many cases, water can be used for cleaning, but always be sure water is flushed out of the machine before putting it in storage.”
2. Never leave paint in the machine. “Always flush out the machine until it is running clear again,” says Martinez. “Paint left in the machine could clog and harden and when new paint has subsequently entered the pump, the residual dried paint can break off. And at 3,300 psi, which is standard for most gas and electric sprayers, that paint can and will destroy plastic packing and scratch metal.”
3. Be sure to use recommended products to clean and flush out the material being sprayed. “Water-based paints require water,” Martinez says. “Oil-based paints require paint thinner or mineral spirits. Mixing water with an oil-based product can create gunk in the pump, resulting in a more difficult clean-out and a higher potential repair cost.”
4. Lacquer thinner can be used to clean up or flush out a machine, but lacquer thinner will melt or destroy plastic or rubber that is not solvent rated, such as packing in pumps, plastic cups, or rubber gaskets.
5. Always release pressure from the gun first, not the prime valve first. “Releasing pressure from the prime valve will shorten its life, resulting in expensive repairs and/or replacement,” says Martinez.
6. It’s good to leave paint thinner or mineral spirits in a machine when it’s not in use. “This can act like an antifreeze, keeping everything conditioned,” says Martinez. ”Graco Pump Armor, which is good for all brands of sprayers, is also effective.”

Spray Source spray equipment service centers are conveniently located and offer fast turnaround with quality repairs, telephone troubleshooting support, on-site demos and training and locally managed inventories of parts and accessories. To learn more, click here.