1) Storage of an airless
sprayer - Applies to diaphragm, piston and pneumatic airless sprayers
a) Never leave the unit
pressurised, it can be dangerous if an unsuspecting person or child
pulls the trigger and is hit by high pressure fluid, an injection
hazards exists with airless sprayers so read the manual and follow the
recommendation by the manufacturer of your airless sprayer
b) Cold climates, if you
live in an areas where it gets very cold, fluid left in your machine may
freeze, expand and crack a component of your airless sprayer such as a
high pressure filter housing, fluid cylinder or piston rod. Pump saver
may help lower the freezing point of any fluid in the machine but it can
occur. If you do not live in such a cool climate just remember that this
can still happen, if you see frost on the grass in the morning then you
have a chance that this could happen to your airless sprayer.
c) Do not leave flammable
materials in your airless sprayer whilst in storage, besides the obvious
fire hazards of fluid slowly leaking out of the suction hose or gun, the
smell can be pretty bad too.
d) Security, if you keep
an airless sprayer in your garage or on-site, consider chaining it up
with a padlock, airless sprayers are expensive and a popular choice
amongst thieves.
e) Keep all of your
airless sprayer accessories clean and in one place like a tool box or
trunk. Nothing is more annoying than missing a gun extension or a tip
seal when you are on the job.
2) Transport of an
airless sprayer - Applies to diaphragm, piston and pneumatic airless
sprayers
a) Always tie down your
airless sprayer securely when in a vehicle, an airless sprayer such as a
Graco Ultra Max II 795 can weigh up to 70kgs with a 30m paint hose
wrapped around the handle. If you have to make a sudden stop this kind
of weight will have some serious force if unsecured.
b) Be sure not leave
thinners, petrol or any flammable material in the pump when transporting
in a vehicle. This applies more so to vans and station wagons with a
small enclosed space which can pose a fire risk or fumes can make the
driver of a vehicle feel tired or sleepy.
c) Be careful with gas
powered airless sprayers that the heat from the petrol motor exhaust
does not burn a hole through your paint hose, most material braided hose
will melt on contact with a hot exhaust cover. Be sure the wrap
your airless sprayer paint hose clear of the exhaust.
d) Be careful when
refuelling an airless sprayer in the back of a vehicle directly from the
petrol pump at your local service or gasoline station. Static charge
can sometimes release from the nozzle of the fuel pump hand piece with
vehicles that have
nylon or plastic protective liners on the trays or inside of vans. The
plastic liner will insulate the machine from any earth and you may find
that when you stick the fuel pump nozzle into the tank to refill the
fuel that a little static charge occurs between the rim of the fuel tank
and fuel pump nozzle. I have personally seen this and it does happen.
e) Turn the fuel tap of
your petrol motor to the "off" position when driving. The motion of a
vehicle moving including bumps in the road and corners can make your
petrol airless sprayer motor flood with fuel in the carburettor. Honda
motors are pretty bad for this, sometimes the fuel will leak down past
the piston and rings and fill up the oil sump with fuel. If this happens
you will only pull the starter cord once and then experience compression
lock, the motor will no longer move. This will require draining the oil
and replacing, not a good start to the days work.
