Cleaning paint guns; must I spray in to a grounded pail?

[robroy]

Good evening,

I recently bought an HVLP spray gun. Since I've never used a spray gun before, I read the instruction manual.

One part that caught my attention was the cleaning procedure, where solvent is sprayed through the gun in to a grounded, metal pail.

My guess is that it's sprayed in to the pail instead of the air to avoid making an unintentional bomb out of a cloud of solvent and air. And I'm guessing that the grounded part helps to avoid electric charges that can cause tiny sparks, igniting the unintentional "bomb."

Tomorrow I play to use the gun for the first time.

Do folks really clean the gun like this? Or is spraying the solvent in to any sort of pail or bucket good enough?

Thanks!
-Robroy

[71PA_Highboy]

I have never used a metal bucket, but if that is what the mfr suggests, I would go with it... they may know something we don't.

Explosions are never fun if you are in the middle of it.

hth,

eric

[robroy]

Hi Eric, thanks for your reply. Okay, I'll use the metal pail.

The booklet also mentioned that the tarps around the area should all be cloth (no plastic tarps), because plastic surfaces can attract static electricity. I'd previously been using a blue plastic tarp but I replaced it with a canvas drop cloth today.

Thanks again,
-Robroy

[lifted72]

Static Electricity isnt fun to deal with while painting. I never use plastic to tape off the vehicle, always paper. Also you want to drape a chain over the rear axle to help keep the vehicle grounded. But, i have really always just cleaned my hvlp with thinner, and pull the tip off and leave it in the can with thinner in it. But thats just me, im really not pro , just paint for fun on projects.

[robroy]

Good morning Lifted72,

Thanks for the advice about the chain on the rear axle! I'll do that from now on. I'll also take your advice on leaving the tip in a can of solvent at the end of the day.

Thanks!
-Robroy