airless advice - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

mikenewman@fron · 07-29-2007, 01:19 PM

I am having trouble with my graco 1095 ball sticking no matter how well I clean it out or what solvent I store it with. Any advice appreciated. Moab Painter.

Da Vinci · 07-29-2007, 10:42 PM

Have you tried running paint thinner through just the head after you're done? I've never had the ball stick when I do this. How long do you let it sit before using again?

Bay Area Painting Company

Tmrrptr · 07-30-2007, 12:51 AM

what are you running thru the pump ... product ?
If you clear it out at end of day w paint thinner or lac thinner how do you lube it? Do you cycle a bit of storage lubricant thru it ? or even dump some motor oil in thinner to keep it from rusting up ?
r

mikenewman@fron · 07-30-2007, 07:34 AM

Thanks for the tip. I have tried every thing except the motor oil is a thought. We have 100 plus temps with 15% hum. So I think the dryness adds to it. Also will it hurt to store under a slight bit of preasure? Basicly keeping the chamber wet. Or will that prematurely wear it out.?

Rich Turley · 07-30-2007, 07:40 AM

My airless does the same thing, I assumed it was cause I only use it when I can't find a painter to meet my timeline which works out to be 3 or 4 times a year. Part of the cleaning now is to take it apart and store the ball seperately.

Rich

mikenewman@fron · 07-30-2007, 07:48 AM

Thanks Rich, I am looking for a little easier solution. I have even thought of running veg. oil through the head. Maybe some of Willy's biodeisel would work. What amazes me is Graco knows about this problem and wont come up with a propper solution. My owner's manual even says to rap on the side of the machine to free it. I hate to bang on the side of a 3500 dollar rig. Mike

Workaholic · 08-03-2007, 06:19 PM

I would not leave it under pressure. If you bang on the side i would use a rubber mallet. This happens to my 695's as well.
If it is just the big ball off the suction tube then taking off the suction tube before you start and cleaning the ball does not sound all that inconvienent. Now if it is the smaller ball in the fluid section ( which from every thing said it probably is not ) that would be a different story on inconvienence.
When one of my rigs start to have the ball sticking to much, i open a repack kit, soak the leather packings in 30w motor oil, and take apart the fluid section, and repack. ( of course just like everyone i try to get the maximum use before i repack )

mikenewman@fron · 08-03-2007, 06:44 PM

Thanks Workaholic I will try taking the suction tube ball out. Hint I can also break it loose by running a garden hose up the suction tube. As soon as the water preasure hits I hear a snap sound and I am up and running. I am going to try storing it in mineral spirits again and see if that helps. Thank, Mike in Moab

PowerPaintingUK · 12-04-2007, 09:18 AM

Hi sorry to drag this thread back out but I'm interested to see if the problem was sorted....... Mike? I think I've been having a similar problem. My machine (495 ST MaxII) keeps pumping up the pressure when it should stop and hold. When I flush with some water it stops but then the problem come's back when I get on the emulsion again.

Phil

Techeros · 03-10-2008, 02:12 PM

is there a video out there to just show you how to clean an airless?
You would think with a high-end airless a small dvd would accompany this unit...

Anyone?

Paintpimp · 03-12-2008, 07:06 PM

sometimes the ball sticks because it flash rusts between the seat and ball. You can order a ceramic ball from Graco and this would prevent at least the chance of flash rust occurring.

ibsocal · 03-12-2008, 11:19 PM

Yes there are videos, but it is very basic

.
check it out

http://www.spraytechinc.com/SprayTECH/

tunaka sarole · 03-16-2008, 02:02 AM

We used to have this happen more often than we liked when using machines for double duty.
Oil-based primer, & some funky latex-based top coat the company was selling.

Once a sprayer was dedicated to each the problem went away.

ACS · 03-31-2008, 09:23 PM

Honestly,

next time go with a Titan

Graco = Junk

I have used Titan pumps for years doing crack injection, I have had Graco pumps and had nothing but problems, would never buy a Graco again in my life.

Just my two cents....

Bryan

ibsocal · 04-01-2008, 12:10 AM

Eh U can't be serious.titan has some good pumps but not all the best.there are a few low budget graco's that i would not go near but mostly graco is and continues to set the standard for the coatings world.so which graco pumps are junk to u Honestly and y.

MidasAllen · 04-17-2008, 01:00 AM

I have Graco 395 and 490's. I just keep a long screwdriver on-hand and pop it up right before I use it. Another trick is to try to not have suction or pressure holding the ball. Before plugging in, pull the trigger and let everything equalize.