Before performing any maintenance on a pneumatic piston airless sprayer, please follow the basic safety information below and make sure that the pressure valve is open and no pressure is in any part of the airless sprayer system. 

Safety when operating airless sprayers is universal for all models and brands. 

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

 1. Never pull the trigger of the gun toward people. Unlock the trigger ONLY when you spray the paint or take off the nozzle tip.

2. Never use a damaged hose. Due to the high pressure even a small flaw may cause an accident.

3. Pressure is very high and extremely dangerous. You must handle it with meticulous care.

4. Do not raise the pressure unnecessarily.

5. Connect all the attachments properly and tightly so that no paint would leak. If paint leaks while you are working, stop the pump immediately. Let the air go and lower the pressure.

6. Ensure you are using the correct hose, contact your supplier if in doubt.

7. Read the instruction manual provided with the airless sprayer and all accessories used.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POTENTIAL DANGER OF HIGH PRESSURE FLUID IN AN AIRLESS SPRAYER.

1) Pneumatic piston airless sprayer daily maintenance (Fluid Pump):

a) Always clean your airless sprayer thoroughly inside and out, make sure that after you have flushed clean water throughout your airless sprayer and airless gun that you remove any excess paint build up from the suction hose or suction pipe. This also includes removing your suction hose/pipe filter, high pressure filter and gun filter to ensure that they are all spotless. If you can't clean these filters it's time to replace them.

b) It is recommended that with a pneumatic piston airless sprayer using a flexible suction hose set that this be removed after flushing the machine and have clean water run through the hose from each end using a garden hose. You will be surprised how much paint is still inside the suction set even after the machine appears to be clean. The build up of paint inside the suction set will eventually dry, flake and begin fall off over time causing blockages in your suction valve.

c) Once you have finished thoroughly cleaning your airless sprayer, set everything back up and test the airless sprayer with water. Ensure that the machine primes, builds pressure and then stops, spray the gun several times and hold the trigger open and make sure that the machine holds at a constant pressure, most pneumatic piston airless sprayers will build to about 3300psi and when using a 517 reversible airless spray tip the pressure drop should be somewhere around 200-500psi with water. Use the gauge on the machine to monitor any pressure fluctuation, if the needle on the gauge or digital display is bouncing up and down then your machine may be in need of a service, contact your closest dealer for advice.

d) Once you have pressure tested your pneumatic piston airless sprayer and everything seems to be OK without any leaks, it's time to add some pump saver to your water for the final flush. Pump saver is a corrosion inhibitor that helps prevent rust and scale from building up on the inside of your airless sprayer. We don't recommend kero or petrol as both of these items are flammable and if you are transporting your airless sprayer inside a van or station wagon the fumes can be annoying or dangerous.

e) Use piston throat seal in the wet cup of your pneumatic piston airless sprayer, refer to your user manual on how much to use but a small squirt should be sufficient. Just remember that if you have a hi-boy airless sprayer and you need to lie it down in a vehicle when taking it to a job, it will probably just dribble out. It could be best to apply the piston throat seal lubricant just before you commence spraying with your airless sprayer.

2) Pneumatic piston airless sprayer daily maintenance (Air Motor):

a) Make sure that any filter regulator that is fitted to the air motor is drained to reduce water condensate from your compressed air supply from entering the air motor.

b) If you have an oil lubricator fitted to your air motor, be sure that the oil level is sufficient to supply continuos lubrication to the air motor when using the machine next. If you do not have an air lubricator then ensure you apply enough oil to the air motor to keep it lubricated.

2) Pneumatic piston airless sprayer monthly maintenance:

a) If you are a heavy airless sprayer user then a monthly strip down of the basic components is recommended, if your airless sprayer is only used occasionally then this could be stretched to a six monthly interval.

b) Remove your suction set or pick up pipe if you have a hi-boy, remove your foot valve and ensure that no debris or paint build up is around the ball or ball cage and check that any seals on the cylinder or housing are not damaged or broken. Check the outlet ball up inside the piston is moving and that you can't see any debris or rubbish in the valve. Note - be sure to not look into the valve when poking the ball with a screw driver or object, pressure can be relieved when this ball is pushed and shoot back into your eye. While the foot valve is removed check the lower seat for wear or pitting, if in doubt contact a dealer for help. If you have access to compressed air, try and blow clean air into the ports to blow away any rubbish and debris.

c) Refit both your foot valve and suction pipe or hose and be sure to clean all threads and apply marine grease to ensure easy removal next time for the same components.

d) Make sure that everything your removed is replaced back and tight. Be sure not loose any seals or copper rings and do not use thread tape, if you need to use thread tape then you are making a mistake, you must use the correct seals.

e) Your airless sprayer is now ready to pressure test, slowly build the pressure making sure that no leaks appear, if you have a leak turn the machine off and fix it. After building pressure in your airless sprayer make sure that it holds pressure as discussed in 1(B).

f) Flush pump saver throughout the entire airless sprayer and put the machine away in storage.

2) pneumatic piston airless sprayer yearly maintenance:

a) Follow the procedures as outlined above with addition to inspecting the airless paint hose for external abrasions, kinks or damage. Replacing a paint hose while performing routine maintenance is much cleaner than replacing a burst hose on the job with paint that has sprayed out in every direction. Airless paint hoses are cheap at about $125 each, consider changing these over time.

b) Consider changing your packing seals every year, packing seals wear a little like brake pads on a car and they are designed to be changed at normal service intervals. Failure to replace packing seals will result in the premature wear of piston rods, cylinders and other components. The same goes for the seals in you air motor, if you can hear air leaks then you may need to consider replacing the air motor seal kit.

In summary, keep your airless sprayer spotlessly clean, early detection of problems will be easy to see if the machine is clean and cheaper to repair. Down time cost's more than a service because you can not schedule down time on a job.