After you finish a spraying session, you’ll want to clean your HVLP gun so it sprays just as well the next time.

Some would argue that you don’t need to clean your spray gun between coats, but since my method only takes two minutes to complete, and uses only two ounces of fresh thinner, it’s worth doing. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Or in this case two ounces!

This method applies to clear finishes like lacquer or shellac, when you plan to spray the same finish again the next time.

Empty the finish into a container of thinned finish

Since I thinned my lacquer slightly, I keep it in a separate container from my new lacquer. It can certainly be used on the next project, but you’ll need to remember that it’s already been thinned.

Here’s one that I bet people forget to do!

When emptying the spray gun, remember to squeeze the trigger to release the fluid held between the internal filter and tip of the needle. This will remove the last bit of finish from the gun, and make the next step work more efficiently.

Add two ounces of clean thinner to the fluid cup

Remember to follow the rule “Strain Everything That Goes Into the Gun.”

Screw the cap on, and tip the gun upside down to rinse the cap clean. Then simply spray the thinner through the gun to clean away any finish residue. This takes only a few seconds, and you’ll be ready to disassemble the gun.

Remove the fluid knob and spring to give access to the needle

Squeeze the trigger, and gently remove the needle.

Note the air cap and nozzle are still in place when you remove the needle!

You always want to remove the needle before removing the nozzle.

Rinse the needle in a container of re-useable thinner, and unscrew the air cap set

Drop the air cap in the thinner to soak, and rinse the threaded ring in thinner and set is aside to dry.

Use the wrench that came with your spray gun to remove the nozzle from the gun

The nozzle has standard twist threads, but expect to use some force to remove it. Once the nozzle is out, the rest of the parts will come out easily.

Air Diffuser and Seal

Right behind the nozzle, you’ll find the air diffuser and seal.

Rinse (but don’t soak) the white seal ring and set it aside. The air diffuser can go in the thinner to soak. You can also remove the fluid cup and internal filter.

Dunk both ends of the cup in thinner to clean the threads. Always use the supplied wrench to remove the fluid cup (Never use force to twist the cup by the plastic itself).

Next, remove the air divider and its smaller white seal. Same story here, rinse the seal and soak the air divider.

Dunk the nose of the gun into the container of thinner

Let the thinner reach the front of the gun, as well as the fluid inlet where the cup attaches.

Reassembling the spray gun

Now your gravity feed HVLP gun is clean and ready to re-assemble. The cleaning process will only take two minutes, once you’re familiar with your gun.

Place the larger white seal onto the back of the air diffuser.

Reinstall the air diffuser, making sure the registration post is in the 12 O’clock position.

When installed correctly, the air diffuser cannot rotate.

Reinstall the nozzle by hand tightening first, then using the supplied wrench.

Snug the nozzle firmly to avoid leaks.

Remember that air caps are matching sets

If you want to install a 1.0mm air cap, make sure you use the matching needle and nozzle. A purpose-made, foam lined case is just the thing to protect your air cap sets. The Fuji Spray aircap set case will store 4 spare needle and nozzle sets in perfectly sized foam recesses.

Replace the air cap and store your precious HVLP spray gun somewhere safe until next time

If you’re new to spraying, you’ll be amazed how easy and efficient the process is. Plus – the finish quality you achieve can’t be matched by other methods. I’ve been spraying since the 1990’s and it sure would be hard to go back to a brush or rag.

The misconception is that cleanup is difficult, when in reality it only takes 2 minutes and 2 oz. of thinner. It doesn’t get any easier than that!