Have you ever started a painting project with a paint sprayer, only to get distracted or called away, leaving the paint sitting in the sprayer for longer than intended?
It’s a common occurrence that can lead to severe issues if left unaddressed. How long can you leave paint in a paint sprayer before it dries out or clogs the nozzle?
It’s a question that many DIYers and professionals alike ask themselves, and the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think.
It’s not recommended to leave paint in a paint sprayer for an extended period, as it can cause the paint to dry and clog the sprayer, making it difficult to clean and use again.
If you plan on taking a break or finishing for the day, it’s best to clean the paint sprayer thoroughly to prevent any leftover paint from drying inside the machine.
If you need to leave paint in the sprayer for a short time, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, as some types of paint may have different guidelines.
Generally, it’s a good idea to cover the paint container and sprayer with plastic wrap or a plastic bag to prevent air from drying in and out of the paint.
However, if you need to store paint in the sprayer for longer than a day or two, it’s recommended to empty the sprayer, clean it thoroughly, and store the paint in a separate container with an airtight seal.
In this article, we’ll explore the factors that impact how long you can leave paint in a paint sprayer and provide some tips for keeping your sprayer clean and functional for your next project.
Can I Leave Paint In My Sprayer, And For How Long?
Yes, you can leave paint in your sprayer for a certain amount of time, but it is important to be mindful of how long the paint is left in the sprayer and to take certain precautions to prevent any issues.
If you plan to use the sprayer again the following day, it is generally safe to leave paint in the sprayer overnight.
However, it is essential to cover the sprayer with a plastic bag or other protective covering to prevent the paint from drying out and clogging the sprayer nozzle.
You may also want to stir the paint before using it again, as it may have settled or separated overnight. On the other hand, if you are finished using the sprayer for the time being, it is important to clean it thoroughly and prepare it for storage.
Leaving paint in the sprayer for an extended period of time, such as several days or weeks, can cause the paint to dry and harden inside the sprayer, making it difficult or even impossible to use in the future.
To prevent this, you should clean the sprayer thoroughly after each use, following the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintenance.
This typically involves flushing the sprayer with water or a cleaning solution, disassembling the nozzle and other parts to clean them individually, and storing the sprayer in a dry, cool place.
How Long Can I Leave Paint In My Sprayer?
Increasing productivity has been a constant struggle for us over the years, and we’ve gotten really good at it. It is best to flush the pump after you apply your last coat after coat, as the paint can remain in the sprayer for up to three days.
As the paint cures in the pump, it clogs up, making it difficult for you to use the sprayer in the future.
As long as you take short breaks while you paint, you can keep it in the sprayer. The best way to slow down the curing of the paint is to keep the sprayer in a bucket of water.
The instructions for cleaning out the sprayer will vary depending on the particular sprayer. The paint sprayer will degrade over time due to many factors, but other products will help maintain it, like a paint saver or pump armor.
If you are storing either an airless or HVLP paint sprayer for the night, you must keep it pressurized. To prevent clogging, turn off the pump, let the nozzle spray out its remaining air, and then leave the gun and intake in water.
To prevent damaging their machine, hose & gun, decorators spend hours and hours cleaning their sprayers.
I’ve seen buckets and buckets of water going through a sprayer, and enough to fill up a small swimming pool, but the crazy thing is that this approach is doing a lot more harm than good.
In HVLP Paint Sprayer
There isn’t much time. It is similar to using an airless paint sprayer, curing will take a few hours, but if left untreated for a day, you might have dried up paint inside the weapon.
Your HVLP paint sprayer’s instructions should tell you how long you can leave the paint in the sprayer before it starts to damage it.
In Airless Paint Sprayer
There is no clear answer to this question. The safest solution will likely be found in your instruction manual. There are also many forums where people say the paint was still good after a week.
However, it would be necessary to use additional solutions, such as Graco’s pump armor, to keep the paint sprayer stored for months. The process is more labor-intensive if you don’t plan on using it for a long time, say more than a year.
If there were no buffers or preservatives, painted surfaces would quickly dry out and clog the gun. When you finish your project, drain the paint quickly by using an airless paint sprayer because it atomizes faster at the tip than a head-mounted paint sprayer.
So, Does It Depend On What Paint I’m Using In My Sprayer?
Absolutely! That’s probably already known to you. The process isn’t nearly as complicated as you might think. Getting started with paint should be easy.
Water-based paints like:
- Crown masonry,
- Dulux diamond eggshell,
- farrow & ball Estate emulsion
- Little green intelligent eggshell
You will have encountered these paints over the years, and though using a brush might have been challenging, spraying has an entirely different result.
However, you can spray more than just water-based products. Oil-based paints: what’s the deal?
It’s a question we are asked daily at the training academy: can oil be sprayed through a sprayer? That’s right!
Nevertheless, the choice of water-based paints has expanded & improved with advancements in technology, as evident in the following:
- Benjamin Moore
- Tikkurila
- Caparol
- Isomalt
- Renner
When you’re done, cleaning thoroughly with white spirit is just a matter of cleaning thoroughly.
Will The Paint Damage My Sprayer?
Perhaps, so make sure you know what kind of paint you’re spraying and what cleaning agents to use. Your machine will have a lot of dirt if you don’t thoroughly clean it.
As well as having multiple sprayers for water-based paint, I have one that is purely for oil-based paint. It is always full of white spirit for when I need it.
Should I Remove The Hose?
It’s always important to keep your sprayer wet when I put one together. Never remove the hose, gun, or connector from your machine. Air can get into the piston & packers, which can lead to further problems when it dries out.
Do You Have To Clean Your Paint Sprayer Between Coats?
It is NOT necessary to clean the sprayer between coats. The original paint won’t mix with the new color, you just need to swap it out for a new one, and you can continue painting.
Protecting the paint tip by keeping it covered when you aren’t using the paint sprayer is the only important thing to remember.
Also, clean out the air cap of your paint sprayer if you want to take more preventative action because cleaning it after the paint has dried will certainly be challenging.
How Long Can You Leave Paint In A Graco Sprayer?
You can leave the sprayer open however long you want, but you will need to take the extra steps to store your paint. In their publication, Graco shows you how to keep your paint sprayer and leave it with paint inside.
In fact, they even state the time frame for holding the document; for example, the instructions range from 3 days to more than 1 year.
You’ll need to buy more supplies like Graco Pump Amor, 30wt oil, and Graco Throat Seal Liquid (TSL) as you keep the paint in longer.
Where Should I Keep My Paint Sprayer?
If you live in a colder climate and do not intend to spray paint outside, you should keep the paint sprayer indoors. If it happens, it is possible to reverse the effects of freezing with Graco pump armor.
How Long Can You Leave Paint In A Wagner Sprayer?
When using a Wagner sprayer, the situation becomes very different. The different Wagner models mean it is a good idea to leave it on for no longer than a few days at a time.
There are a few similarities between Graco’s storage methods, like depressurizing and placing tubes in water. In addition to Graco sprayers, Wagner sprayers are also compatible with the products used on them.
Isn’t Having Water Inside The Paint Sprayer Causing Damage To It?
If you drain the water from the hoses and the gun before storing, there will be no concern about internal damage to the sprayer. The rod needs to face down for gravity to work and expel any remaining fluids.
Can I Run Paint Thinner Through A Paint Sprayer?
Is it possible? Of course, but double-check the model and type of paint you have. Thin lacquer coats are most often necessary because their thick viscosities cause paint clumps.
In addition to removing some old paint chips, paint thinner also helps remove old paint on sprayers. For latex-water-based paint, paint thinner is unnecessary due to its runny consistency.
It is not possible to flush out oil-based paints with paint thinner. Mineral spirits are needed to remove oil-based paints.
Final Words
No rule says that you cannot leave paint in the sprayer for more than 3 days, either. Once 3 days have passed, it’s understood that the painting is finished, so the paint spray gun has to be cleaned thoroughly.
You need to take a few precautions to ensure that the paint doesn’t dry up and block the gun’s nozzle and mechanism by leaving it alone.
