Can You Leave Paint in a Paint Sprayer Overnight?

Can You Leave Paint Sprayer Overnight

Leaving paint overnight in the sprayer is never a good idea, as you will most likely have to rebuild it.

Now, for lunchtime, you can leave the suction tube and drainage tube right in the paint bucket. Just be sure to relieve the system’s pressure by turning the spray valve to the primed position and covering the paint and bucket with plastic wrap during your lunchtime. Attach the trigger lock, remove the spray nozzle, and protect and clean it with water to prevent the paint from drying out at the spray nozzle. 

If the shutdown period is longer than your lunchtime or you have completed your work, you must clean the sprayer thoroughly. Proper cleaning and storage are vital to the life and performance of your sprayer.

How to Save and Clean The Paint From Sprayer Hose

To save and clean the paint that is in the sprayer hose, you must apply the following essential steps: 

  1. Unlock the spray gun trigger lock. 
  2. Aim the gun into the paint bucket and pull the spray gun trigger. 
  3. Hold the trigger down while turning the prime spray valve to the spray position. 
  4. Then turn the sprayer switch on, paint from the suction tube, and the hose is then stored back into its paint bucket. 
  5. When you start to see the gun’s paint that is diluted with water, keep on pressing the gun’s trigger while you move it to the waste bucket. 
  6. Keeping the spray gun trigger pulled will prevent splashing. 
  7. After moving the gun to the waste bucket, you should hold the spray gun trigger for about two minutes or until relatively clear water comes out of the gun. 
  8. When you see clear water, turn the pressure control knob counterclockwise down. 
  9. Stop triggering the spray gun and activate the trigger lock. 
  10. Cut the power switch off and turn the priming spray valve to relieve pressure in the system. 
  11. Turn off the water in the hose. 
  12. Remove the power flush and unscrew the garden hose. 

The sprayer hose is now clean, but you will also want to clean the paint sprayer to thoroughly ensure proper operation. 

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(Below) you’ll see the essential steps on how to clean the paint sprayer properly. 

How to Clean a Paint Sprayer After Using Water-Based Paint

Let’s review some essential steps for cleaning your paint sprayer after using water-based paint. For oil-based or enamel paints, please see your manual for specific instructions. The essential ten steps on how to clean your paint sprayer include: 

  • Turn off the power switch. 
  • Turn the spray valve from priming to prime to relieve pressure in the system.
  • Remove the suction tube and the paint drain tube and let them drain back into the container. 
  • Wipe off excess paint from the tubes and place them in the waste bucket. 
  • After making sure the spray gun trigger lock is activated, remove the spray nozzle assembly and gun guard. 
  • Connect the power flush adapter to a garden hose, close the power flush valve and turn on the water in the garden hose. 
  • Open the power discharge valve, clean the suction pipe drain and inlet strainer, and close the power discharge valve. 
  • Extract the inlet strainer from the suction tube, connect the garden hose, and pressure wash adapter to the suction tube. 
  • The priming spray valve should be in the primed position. 
  • With the drain tube in the waste bucket, open the power flush valve, and allow the sprayer to pump water over the drain tube for at least 20 seconds. 

After you have cleaned the paint sprayer and hose, you’ll want to clean the spray gun; following the steps (below), you’ll learn how to accomplish this essential task. 

How to Clean a Paint Sprayer Gun Properly

To clean the spray tip, protection, and inlet strainer, use a soft-bristle brush to remove the paint after rinsing with water and then put the protection back on the gun after cleaning.

Most spray guns have a filter on the handle to prevent the spray tip from getting stuck; unlock the trigger guard and unscrew the spray gun handle to access the filter. 

Clean the spray gun filter with water and a soft-bristle brush, then reinstall it with the rounded end up. Your spray gun is now clean and ready for use next time. 

Now that your paint sprayer is completely clean, it is time to see the best storage method. (Below) you can read and consider the essential steps to store your paint sprayer. 

How Do You Store a Paint Sprayer? Helpful Guide!!

With internal filter sprayers, it is good practice to check the filter before storing the sprayer as follows:

  • First, unscrew the hose from the sprayer. 
  • Then use a wrench and remove the outlet connector. 
  • Remove the filter and inspect for debris; clean the filter with water on a soft-bristle brush if necessary. 
  • Reinstall the internal filter by inserting the round end into the output connector. 
  • Then use a wrench to replace the fitting in the sprayer outlet. 
  • Finally, reconnect the hose to the sprayer.

With a pump filter, the filter must be removed and cleaned each time the sprayer is cleaned.

Should You Use Storage Fluid to Store a Paint Sprayer?

Yes, if your sprayer does not come with this essential storage fluid, you will need to order one; it is highly recommended.

Water should not be left in the sprayer for any length of time because water is corrosive or can freeze and cause damage to the sprayer pump. Some sprayers come with a pump storage fluid sample to use during the storage of your sprayer. 

After you obtain the storage fluid, follow these essential steps to apply storage fluid and adequately store your sprayer as follows: 

  • Turn the spray valve to the prime position to relieve pressure. 
  • While holding the suction tube over the sprayer, press approximately two ounces or a quarter cup of the storage fluid into the suction tube. 
  • Turn on the power switch. 
  • When the storage fluid comes out of the drainage tube, turn off the power switch. 
  • Turn the prime spray valve to the spray position to keep storage fluid in the sprayer during storage. 

Now your paint sprayer is clean and stored correctly, and ready for your next paint project. (Below) you’ll see some essential steps on starting a new paint sprayer or after it has been in storage. 

How Do You Start a Paint Sprayer?

Suppose your sprayer is new or has been in storage. In that case, the first step is to make sure you put on your safety glasses before you start, and applying these essential steps is going to give you a better idea of how to start a paint sprayer as follows: 

  1. Turn the prime spray valve to prime. 
  2. Distant the drain tube from the suction tube and place it in a waste bucket. 
  3. If oil-based spraying paint, immerse the suction tube and mineral spirits or a compatible cleaning solvent. 
  4. If water-based spraying paint, immerse the suction tube in water. 
  5. If your sprayer has the push priming feature, press it twice to loosen the inlet ball. 
  6. Make sure the sprayer is connected to a grounded outlet. 
  7. Turn on the power switch. 
  8. Slowly turn the pressure control knob clockwise until the pump starts. 
  9. Let the fluid drain into the waste bucket for about 30 seconds until the fluid clears. 
  10. Turn off the power switch. 
  11. You are now set to fill the pump and gun with paint. 
  12. Submerge the suction tube in the paint bucket leaving the drain tube in the waste bucket; you must always point the main spray valve in the prime position. 
  13. Turn on the power switch. 
  14. The motor of the sprayers should start working. 
  15. When the paint emerges out of the drain tube, turn off the sprayer. 
  16. Disconnect the spray gun trigger lock, point the gun into the waste bucket, and squeeze the gun trigger. 
  17. Hold the trigger down while turning the prime sprayer valve to the spray position, and then turn on the power switch. 
  18. Continue triggering the gun into the waste bucket until you see the paint coming out of the gun. 
  19. Release the trigger and engage the gun’s trigger lock so that you cannot pull the trigger accidentally. 
  20. The spray hose and gun are now loaded with paint. 
  21. Hook the drain tube on top of the suction tube so that both tubes are in the paint bucket. 

How to Install a Paint Sprayer Tip

Before installing the paint sprayer tip and guard, check that the gun trigger lock is activated and follow these essential steps: 

  • Make sure the metal seal and the black rubber gasket are on guard. 
  • Place the spray tip and guard assembly on the spray gun and hand tighten the retaining nut. 
  • Ensure the arrow handle on the spray tip is pointing forward and is fully inserted into the guard. 
  • Remember to turn the pressure clockwise to increase the spray pressure to a high level.