Appreciation post: that $80 paint sprayer from Harbor Freight

I had to paint the entire exterior of my garage last month and decided to try a cheap electric sprayer instead of rolling it. It cut the job down from a full weekend to about five hours and the finish looks way smoother. Anyone have tips for cleaning these things out so the paint doesn't gum up inside?

5 comments

5 Comments

west.casey2mo ago

Run mineral spirits through it until it sprays clear, then a quick water flush. Store it with the pump full of antifreeze to keep the seals from drying out.

riverdavis2mo ago

Remember my buddy who skipped the antifreeze step? His pump was totally seized come spring.

kimfisher2mo ago

What about just using the cheap windshield washer fluid? Works like antifreeze but you can get it anywhere.

harper9142mo ago

My neighbor swears by the dish soap trick like @thomas_sanchez, but he adds a capful of RV antifreeze at the end. I mean, it costs like two bucks and keeps the seals from cracking over the winter. Seems like a good middle ground to me.

thomas_sanchez2mo ago

Honestly, I just use water with a drop of dish soap... runs clear in like a minute. Never had a seal go bad on me.