If you have an airless paint sprayer that is not holding the same pressure it used to while spraying paint there are a few simple checks which can be made to hopefully identify the cause of the pressure loss.
These tests make the assumption that your airless spray machine is already priming and building pressure but then while spraying the pressure is lower than it used to be, or should be.
Replacement parts and accessories for airless paint sprayers can be expensive and locating the right parts and accessories can be difficult especially if your airless machine is an older model.
Properly identifying the brand and model of your airless spray machine is the only way to begin searching for the correct parts. Occasionally parts location can be further complicated by different brand airless spray gun hand pieces or airless spray tips being fitted. Many airless paint spray units are covered in paint which can make it even harder to identify the make and model.
Purchasing the correct airless spray paint equipment can be the difference between a successful airless spray painting job or spending the time you would have spent spray painting trying to complete the spray paint job with an inferior piece of airless spray equipment.
Diagnosing problems with airless piston pump pressure valves.
Here is a way to test your piston airless spray pump to ensure the inlet valve and outlet valves, including the relief valve are functioning correctly.
This test is much easier to do and see the results with a large longer stroking airless piston pump compared to a small short stroke fast cycling piston airless sprayer.
A small airless spray tip that slows the output of the airless piston pump will make this test easier to read.
A most common cause of airless spray gun problems and early failure are a result of incorrect cleaning and airless paint sprayer storage procedures.
When your airless paint spray job has completed the first step is to recover as much of the remaining paint that still remains in the airless spray unit. Consult your airless paint sprayer operation manual for the recommended procedure to remove any remaining paint from the airless machine and to properly flush the airless unit out.
Airless sprayers are an excellent method of applying decorative and protective paints or coatings to almost any surface quickly. Airless spray paint units when correctly setup are also capable of providing extremely high quality painted finishes.
Almost any type of paint or coating can be applied using an airless spray unit. Thin products such as stains, timber preservatives, lacquers, polyurethanes and enamels can be applied using an airless sprayer provided the correct filtration, spray tip and pressure setting is used.
