Painting - How to clean an air paint sprayer.

I just bought this paint sprayer

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47016

I am wondering what the best way to clean it is. It did not come with instructions on how to clean it. It did come with a little wire brush, but can I use paint thinner?

I have not used it yet.

I don't own any gravity feed guns but the method to clean should be the same.

First rinse the cup with the appropriate thinner, then pour in some more thinner and spray it through [make sure you do this where the fog won't make a mess] Then remove the tip and clean it [occasionally it will be necesarry to completely dissemble to clean all parts] After reassembly spray some more clean thinner through it.

If you spray any latex, after cleaning run paint thinner thru the gun to prevent rusting.

Will this work for a sprayer that has gone uncleaned for a long time? I put away my sprayer about 8 months ago without cleaning or emptying the paint. It's a lower end Wagner power painter.

Will this work for a sprayer that has gone uncleaned for a long time?
Sorry
Not likely

Stumped1

There is a very slight chance you could take the sprayer apart, soak/clean everything with laquer thinner, replace any unsalvageable parts and use it again.

It may be cheaper and definetly less agravating to replace it.

Any type of spray equipment should be cleaned immediatetly after use. Occasionally a quick clean will suffice but it is always best to dissasemble and clean all components.

Good advice by slick and mark.

I will add that you will save a lot of thinner if you dampen some paper towels with thinner and then wipe as much of the paint from the pot and exterior as you can.

I have been unpleasantly surprised with an uncleaned sprayer from a yard sale.
I did manage to clean it fairly well but it didn't really spray very well after that.

It's a refurbished unit I bought for $25.00.
I'll just chuck it and get a new one next time I have to paint.

Thanks