Air Spray Gun Cleaners

About Air Spray Gun Cleaners

Maintaining your spray gun equipment is essential for achieving professional finishing results, and air spray gun cleaners are the specialised tools designed to keep your equipment in peak condition. These precision cleaning instruments remove paint residue, solvents, and dried material from the intricate internal passages, nozzles, and air caps of spray guns. Without proper cleaning, even the most expensive spray gun will suffer from blocked jets, inconsistent spray patterns, and premature wear that compromises finish quality.

Air spray gun cleaning sets typically include a variety of brushes in different sizes and materials, picks, and scrapers specifically designed to access the small passages and delicate components within spray gun assemblies. Quality cleaning kits feature stainless steel picks and brushes with natural or synthetic bristles that won't damage precision-machined surfaces. Professional sets often come organised in modular trays or cases that integrate with workshop storage systems, ensuring your cleaning tools are always to hand when you need them.

Regular cleaning with proper tools extends the working life of expensive spray gun equipment and ensures consistent results across every job. Whether you're working with water-based paints, solvent-based coatings, or specialised finishes, having the right cleaning brushes and picks allows you to thoroughly clean your equipment immediately after use, preventing costly blockages and maintaining optimal spray performance.

Jargon Buster

Fluid Passages

The internal channels within a spray gun that transport paint or coating material from the cup to the nozzle. These narrow passages require specialised cleaning picks to remove dried material.

Air Cap

The component at the front of the spray gun that shapes the spray pattern. Air caps have multiple small holes that are prone to blockage and require fine brushes or picks for thorough cleaning.

Nozzle/Needle Assembly

The precision components that control material flow in a spray gun. These require gentle cleaning with non-abrasive tools to prevent damage to sealing surfaces.

Module Tray

A foam-lined storage tray designed to fit into modular workshop storage systems, keeping cleaning tools organised and protected whilst integrating with existing tool storage.

Cleaning Picks

Thin, pointed tools typically made from stainless steel, used to clear blocked passages and holes in spray gun components without causing damage to machined surfaces.

Who Uses Air Spray Gun Cleaners?

• Vehicle Refinishers and Painters – automotive spray shops and bodywork specialists who rely on spray guns for flawless paint finishes
• Professional Decorators – tradespeople using spray equipment for interior and exterior painting projects
• Cabinet Makers and Furniture Finishers – workshop professionals applying lacquers, stains, and finishes to woodwork
• Industrial Coating Specialists – professionals working in manufacturing environments applying protective coatings
• Metal Fabricators – those applying primers, paints, and protective coatings to fabricated metalwork
• Maintenance Engineers – site-based professionals maintaining spray equipment in production environments
• Serious DIY Enthusiasts – home users with spray gun equipment for furniture restoration, vehicle projects, or home improvement

How to Choose the Right Air Spray Gun Cleaners

When selecting air spray gun cleaning tools, start by considering the comprehensiveness of the set. A quality cleaning kit should include multiple brush sizes ranging from fine detail brushes for air cap holes to larger brushes for cleaning cups and containers. Look for sets containing at least 15-20 pieces to ensure you have the right tool for every cleaning task.

The material quality of cleaning tools is crucial. Stainless steel picks resist corrosion from solvents and cleaning fluids, whilst brushes should feature securely-fastened bristles that won't shed and contaminate your equipment. Check that brush handles are comfortable to grip and resistant to common cleaning solvents.

Storage and organisation matters significantly in busy workshops. Sets supplied in module trays offer excellent value as they integrate directly with popular workshop storage systems from brands like Makita, DeWalt, and Milwaukee. This keeps cleaning tools protected and readily accessible on your service cart or workbench.

Consider the type of coatings you typically spray. If you work primarily with water-based materials, softer brushes may suffice, whilst solvent-based coatings that dry harder may require more robust cleaning implements. Mini pipe cleaner brushes are particularly useful for cleaning siphon tubes and material passages.

Finally, assess whether you need specialised cleaning tools for specific spray gun models. Some HVLP or high-end spray guns have unique components that benefit from dedicated cleaning accessories designed for those particular assemblies.

Popular Accessories

• Spray Gun Cleaning Fluids – specialised solvents and cleaning solutions formulated to dissolve paint residues
• Cleaning Buckets and Wash Stations – dedicated containers with brush rests and fluid reservoirs for thorough gun cleaning
• Parts Soaking Trays – shallow trays for soaking disassembled spray gun components in cleaning solution
• Lint-Free Cleaning Cloths – non-contaminating wipers for final cleaning and polishing of gun components
• Spray Gun Lubricants – specialised oils and greases for maintaining seals and moving parts after cleaning
• Air Blow Guns – compressed air tools for drying passages and blowing out cleaning fluid residue
• Portable Parts Washers – solvent recycling cleaning stations for efficient workshop cleaning operations

Safety Information

When using air spray gun cleaners, always work in a well-ventilated area, particularly when using solvent-based cleaning fluids. Many paint and coating residues contain hazardous materials that require proper handling under COSHH regulations.

Wear appropriate personal protective equipment including chemical-resistant gloves when handling cleaning solvents and paint residues. Safety glasses protect against splashes when using cleaning picks to clear blocked passages, as dried material can dislodge suddenly under pressure.

Exercise caution when using metal picks and scrapers around precision components. Excessive force or improper technique can damage delicate sealing surfaces and nozzle tips, affecting spray gun performance. Always follow manufacturer guidance for cleaning specific spray gun models.

Dispose of contaminated cleaning materials and solvents responsibly according to local environmental regulations. Many paint and solvent residues are classified as hazardous waste and require appropriate disposal through licensed waste carriers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean my spray gun?
You should clean your spray gun thoroughly immediately after every use, ideally within minutes of finishing spraying. This prevents material from drying in passages and air caps where it becomes much harder to remove. Daily users should perform a complete strip-down and deep clean weekly to maintain optimal performance.

Can I use regular brushes instead of specialised spray gun cleaning tools?
Whilst you might achieve basic cleaning with household brushes, specialised spray gun cleaning sets feature precisely-sized tools designed to access the small passages and delicate components in professional spray equipment. Regular brushes often can't reach critical areas and may be too abrasive for precision-machined surfaces, potentially causing expensive damage.

What's the best way to clean dried paint from spray gun passages?
For dried material, soak disassembled components in appropriate cleaning solvent for 15-30 minutes to soften the residue. Then use the appropriate sized cleaning pick or brush to gently work through passages. Never force oversized tools through blocked passages as this can damage internal surfaces. Multiple applications with patience work better than force.

Are mini pipe cleaner brushes necessary for spray gun maintenance?
Yes, mini pipe cleaner brushes are essential for cleaning siphon tubes, material passages, and the internal channels of gravity-feed cups. Their flexible design allows them to navigate curved passages that rigid picks cannot reach, ensuring thorough cleaning throughout the entire fluid system.

How do I maintain my spray gun cleaning tools?
Rinse brushes and picks in clean solvent after each use and allow them to dry completely before storage. Store tools in their original case or module tray to prevent bristle damage and keep them organised. Periodically inspect stainless steel picks for burrs or damage that could scratch precision components, and replace worn brushes when bristles become sparse or damaged.