How to Prime a Graco Paint Sprayer?

Priming is the process of preparing the sprayer for smooth work during paint. It is necessary to paint smoothly through the sprayer and avoid blockages during paint. The process will remove any air from the system and ensure the paint flows consistently.

In this blog, we will learn easy steps to prime your Graco paint sprayer by Sprayer And Parts and make it ready for spray. So you can quickly prime it and get a flawless finish.

Guide to Prime a Graco Paint Sprayer

Step 1: Pressure Relief Procedure

1. Engage the Trigger Lock: Before doing anything, ensure that the spray gun's trigger lock is engaged. This is crucial for safety.

2. Turn Off the Sprayer: Switch the on/off control to the OFF position.

3. Set Pressure to Lowest: Adjust the pressure control knob to the lowest setting.

4. Relieve Pressure: Reverse the spray tip and disengage the trigger lock. Then, hold the spray gun against a metal pail and trigger the gun to relieve any remaining pressure in the system.

5. Re-Engage the Trigger Lock: After relieving the pressure, engage the trigger lock again.

6. Prime Valve Position: Turn the prime valve to the "PRIME" or "DRAIN" position to complete the pressure relief.

Step 2: Priming the Pump

1. Prepare the Pump: With the pressure relieved, keep the trigger lock engaged and remove the spray tip and guard from the spray gun.

2. Position Hoses: Place the fluid intake hose into the paint pail and the drain tube into a waste pail.

3. Prime Valve: Ensure the prime valve is in the "PRIME" or "DRAIN" position.

4. Adjust Pressure: Set the pressure control to the lowest setting.

5. Power On: Turn the sprayer ON by switching the on/off control to ON.

6. Increase Pressure: Gradually increase the pressure until the motor starts. Allow the paint to circulate through the sprayer until a steady flow of paint comes out of the drain tube.

7. Turn Off: Once the paint flows smoothly, turn off the sprayer by setting the on/off switch to OFF.

Step 3: Priming the Hose and Gun

1. Position the Gun: Hold the spray gun against a grounded metal waste pail. Disengage the trigger lock and pull the trigger.

2. Switch to Spray Mode: Turn the prime valve to the "SPRAY" position.

3. Power On: Switch the sprayer back ON.

4. Prime the System: Allow the sprayer to run until paint starts flowing out of the spray gun. Then turn the sprayer OFF and release the trigger.

5. Final Hose Prime: Move the spray gun to the paint pail, pull the trigger, turn the sprayer ON, and let it run for about 20 seconds.

6. Build Pressure: Release the trigger to let the system build pressure, then re-engage the trigger lock.

7. Attach Spray Tip: Finally, screw the spray tip assembly back onto the gun and tighten it securely.

Step 4: Testing the Sprayer

1. Adjust Pressure: Set the pressure control to a mid-range setting.

2. Test Spray Pattern: Hold the spray gun 12 inches from a test surface (such as scrap cardboard) and disengage the trigger lock. Spray a test pattern.

3. Adjust if Necessary: If the spray pattern has heavy edges or "tails," slowly increase the pressure until you achieve a smooth, even spray pattern.

After following these instructions, your sprayer is now ready for use.