DIY: Wagner Pro Duty Power Painter Problems

Check power issues by trying multiple power outlets. The unit might have low or no power due to a motor problem, a broken power outlet or a connectivity issue. Try every setting on the machine's control knob to see if the painter will work properly. If the motor does not start, check the power cord's rubber exterior for tears and cuts. Unplug the unit, and pull off the rubber around cord damage by cutting a circle around the perimeter of the trouble area with a razor knife. Check for disconnections in the interior cord, and twist them back together by hand if you find them. Cover the repaired bare cord with electrical tape, wrapping it as tightly as you can.

Clean the power painter's nozzle, tip and filter with a toothbrush and hot water if the unit doesn't spray properly. Thinning the paint you use in the power paint also fixes this problem in many cases. To thin latex paint, use water, and use commercial paint thinner for oil-based paints. Add a little bit of thinner to the paint at one time, and use a paint stirrer to blend the paint and thinner as much as you can before adding it to the sprayer. Straining the paint into a clean bucket with a paint strainer also helps to remove foreign matter that may clog or block the power paint. Keep a tight seal on the sprayer container cap, and keep it full of paint for the best spraying results.

Replace the power painter's tip if it leaks or spits too much. Use an adjustable wrench to remove the old tip and to tighten the new one in place. Inspect the atomizer valve, and consult the power painter's instruction manual to ensure everything is sealed properly. Tighten the suction tube if the spray is still sloppy or uneven.

Address serious piston or pump problems with a Wagner repair kit or new parts. Follow the diagrams and steps listed in the power painter's instruction manual to complete those repair jobs. Piston and pump repair kits and parts are available online and at specialty paint and hardware stores.

Clean and unblock the vent hole on the pump housing. Otherwise, a vacuum can build up in the container and damage the sprayer. Use a toothpick or straightened paperclip to clean the vent hole. The unit should include a long cleaning brush to use to clear blockages in the piston chamber.