"Steve B" wrote in message
news:1wB%f.448$QP4.61@fed1read12...
I just sprayed some wrought iron with my spray rig. I have a Husky
compressor and a generic paint pot (one quart or so) sprayer.

When done, I spray some solvent through the rig, flush the paint from the
pot with the solvent, and store with some solvent in the pot. The solvent
depends on the type of paint I am using.

Over time, there is a buildup of dried paint all over the sprayer. I know
it is down in the channels. I usually just keep using it, take it apart a
time or two and clean it in a bath of lacquer thinner or some solvent, and
reassemble, giving me some more life. I go through and put small wires
through the ports and channels, but never seem to get it all.

What do you use to clean the paint off? Is there something that will
literally eat the paint off but not corrode the metal? The surface of the
spray nozzle are particularly vulnerable where the venturi sprayers are
that suck the paint out of the pot and atomize it. After a few times,
they clot up, and have to be cleaned.

Any ideas? What do you do? Or do you just use it until it becomes a
PITA, and then go buy another for $40 like I do?

Steve

Steve,
Take the nozzle/cap off, and put it in the cup with the solvent. I do
this with all of my siphon feed guns, and work very good. I take the air cap
off the gravity feed guns, and do them this way. If you pull the nozzle off
of the gravity feed, the solvent seems to run out... About once a week, I
take the guns apart, and clean the needles and insides real good. If I'm
doing a custom job, the gun is cleaned BEFORE use in very great detail. I
keep a 1 gallon thinner/reducer can handy with the top cut out (with a can
opener!), and fill it about half way with lacquer thinner, and soak the gun
over night. Then with brush and air, clean it before use. I am usually
pretty wiped out after painting and don't feel like a full clean on the gun.
As for you system with the hoses, you can place them in a gallon can with a
mild solvent for a short time, and the should clean up inside, and out. I
have a kit I bought at the local auto parts store that has a small pin vise
in it with very small drill bits for cleaning the air/fluid holes. It has
another one with small diameter wire also. There are a variety of brushed
for cleaning the passage ways, and the outside. I think it was about $15.00
NAPA and several parts stores sell a small stand for the gravity feed guns,
as they do not appreciate standing by themselves... Best $8.00 I've spent I
think!
Hippie...