Thread: Wagner paint system problem

In October 09 I purchased a Wagner W660 fine spray system predominantly for lacquering furniture and toys.

Up until this week I had used the unit twice before Christmas and I was really happy with the unit performance wise, so much so that I was singing its praises to my friend at our woodworking club. I previously used a borrowed high pressure system.

The Wagner unit is easier to use and more economical with material, I guess due to the HVLP technology.

This week I went to use my gun and as well as the material coming out of the nozzle the lacquer was coming out of the gun where the small stainless steel pin that draws the feed needle back is. So I phoned the Wagner 1800 help line and after some discussion with the person I was told the small soft nylon seal around the feed needle had gone hard and shrunk due to the thinner residue left in the gun after cleaning and that I hadn't rinsed the gun out with water after using the thinners.

Therefore I had no warranty claim and he told me I would have to buy a new gun.. After I got off the phone I reread all 14 steps of the "Taking out of operation and cleaning" procedures. The first 4 steps deals with emptying and cleaning of the paint container and I quote from step 5 "pour solvent or water into the container. Screw the container back on. Assemble the gun again. Turn on the machine and spray the solvent or water into a container or a cloth. Repeat the above procedure until the solvent or water emerging from the nozzle is clear. Unscrew the union nut and remove the air cap and nozzle. Clean the air cap, nozzle seal and nozzle with a brush and solvent or water."

Nowhere does it say there is a need to flush the gun out with water after using a solvent eg lacquer thinners and I feel I followed the cleaning instruction sheet. A foot note on the cleaning instruction sheet says no warranty claims are accepted in case of improper or no cleaning. Given that the instructions said either solvent or water to clean out the gun I assumed that it would depend on whether the material used was a water based or solvent based product.

Question: Is it normal standard practice to flush out all spray guns with water after using solvent based materials?