Graco BLACK MAX Operation manual

307–821
Rev. F
Supersedes D
and PCN E
First choice when
quality counts. 
INSTRUCTIONS-PARTS LIST
INSTRUCTIONS
This manual contains important
warnings and information.
READ AND KEEP FOR REFERENCE.
BLACK MAX  Airless Spray Gun
3600 psi (24.8 MPa, 248 bar) Maximum Working Pressure
Model 220–730, Series D
Include s g un , R everse-A-Clea n I V D ripLessTi p G uard
(par
t n o . 2 20–422) , a S witchTip s pra y t ip
(par
t n o . 2 21–413) for us e w it h m ediu m v iscosit y f luid ,
suc h a s l atex , a n d a n i nle t f lui d f ilter.
GRACO INC. P.O. BOX 1441 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55440–1441
Graco Inc. is registered to I.S. EN ISO 9001

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Table of Contents
Warnings 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation/Operation
Gun 6
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RAC IV and SwitchT ip 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation
Gun 10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RAC IV and SwitchT ip 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repair 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Available Tips 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Graco Standard W arranty 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Graco Phone Number 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Symbols
Warning Symbol
WARNING
This symbol alerts you to the possibility of serious
injury or death if you do not follow the instructions.
Caution Symbol
CAUTION
This symbol alerts you to the possibility of damage to
or destruction of equipment if you do not follow the
instructions.
WARNING
INSTRUCTIONS
EQUIPMENT MISUSE HAZARD
Equipment misuse can cause the equipment to rupture or malfunction and result in serious injury .
D This equipment is for professional use only .
D
Read all instruction manuals, tags, and labels before operating the equipment.
D Use the equipment only for its intended purpose. If you are not sure, call your Graco distributor .
D
Do not alter or modify this equipment.
D Check equipment daily . Repair or replace worn or damaged parts immediately .
D Do not exceed the maximum working pressure of the lowest rated system component. This product
has a 3600 psi (24.8 MPa, 248 bar) Maximum W orking Pressure .
D
Use fluids and solvents which are compatible with the equipment wetted parts. Refer to the Tech-
nical Data section of all equipment manuals. Read the fluid and solvent manufacturer ’ s warnings.
D Do not use 1,1,1–trichloroethane, methylene chloride, other halogenated hydrocarbon solvents or
fluids containing such solvents in pressurized aluminum equipment. Such use could result in a
chemical reaction, with the possibility of explosion.
D Do not use hoses to pull equipment.
D Route hoses away from traffic areas, sharp edges, moving parts, and hot surfaces. Do not expose
Graco hoses to temperatures above 66 _ C (150 _ F) or below –40 _ C (–40 _F).
D
Comply with all applicable local, state, and national fire, electrical, and safety regulations.
D The wallet-sized warning card provided with this gun should be kept with the operator at all times.
The card contains important information on reducing the risk of a fluid injection, and tratment
information if a fluid injection injury occurs. Extra cards are available free of charge; contact your
Graco distributor .

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WARNING
INJECTION HAZARD
Spray from the gun, leaks or ruptured components can inject fluid into your body and cause extremely
serious injury, including the need for amputation. Fluid splashed in the eyes or on the skin can also
cause serious injury .

Fluid injected into the skin might look like just a cut, but it is a serious injury . Get immediate medi -
cal attention.

Do not point the gun at anyone or at any part of the body .

Do not put your hand or fingers over the spray tip.
 Do not stop or deflect leaks with your hand, body , glove or rag.
 Do not “blow back” fluid; this is not an air spray system.
 Always have the tip guard and the trigger guard on the gun when spraying.
 Be sure the gun trigger safety operates before spraying.
 Lock the gun trigger safety when you stop spraying.
 Follow the Pressure Relief Procedure on page 9 if the spray tip clogs and before cleaning,
checking or servicing the equipment.
T ighten all fluid connections before operating the equipment.
 Check the hoses, tubes, and couplings daily . Replace worn or damaged parts immediately.
Do not repair high pressure couplings; you must replace the entire hose.
 Fluid hoses must have spring guards on both ends, to help protect them from rupture caused by
kinks or bends near the couplings.
RECOIL HAZARD
Due to the high pressure fluid emitted, a strong recoil action may occur when you trigger this gun. If
you are unprepared, your hand could be forced back toward your body or you could lose your balance
and fall, resulting in serious injury .

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WARNING
FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD
Improper grounding, poor ventilation, open flames or sparks can cause a hazardous condition and
result in a fire or explosion and serious injury
.

If there is any static sparking or you feel an electric shock while using this equipment, stop spray-
ing immediately . Do not use the equipment until you identify and correct the problem.
 Provide fresh air ventilation to avoid the buildup of flammable fumes from solvents or the fluid
being sprayed.
 Keep the spray area free of debris, including solvent, rags, and gasoline.
 Electrically disconnect all equipment in the spray area.
 Extinguish all open flames or pilot lights in the spray area.
 Do not smoke in the spray area.
 Do not turn on or of f any light switch in the spray area while operating or if fumes are present.
 Do not operate a gasoline engine in the spray area.
 Ground the equipment and the object being sprayed. Refer to your pump instruction manual.
TOXIC FLUID HAZARD
Hazardous fluid or toxic fumes can cause serious injury or death if splashed in the eyes or on the skin,
inhaled, or swallowed.
 Know the specific hazards of the fluid you are using.
 Store hazardous fluid in an approved container . Dispose of hazardous fluid according to all local,
state and national guidelines.
 Always wear protective eyewear , gloves, clothing and respirator as recommended by the fluid and
solvent manufacturer .

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Installation
Grounding
WARNING
FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD
Proper electrical grounding is essential
to reduce the risk of fire or explosion
which can result in serious injury and
property damage. Also read FIRE OR
EXPLOSION HAZARD on page 4
T o reduce the risk of static sparking, ground the spray -
er and all other spray equipment used or located in the
spray area. Check your local electrical code for de -
tailed grounding instructions for your area and type of
equipment. Be sure to ground all of this spray equip -
ment:

Pump or sprayer: as instructed in your separate
pump or sprayer manual.
 Air compressor or hydraulic power supply: accord -
ing to local code and manufacturer ’ s recommenda -
tions.

Fluid hoses: use only grounded hoses with a maxi -
mum of 500 ft (150 m) combined hose length to
ensure grounding continuity .

Spray gun: obtain grounding through connection to
a properly grounded fluid hose and sprayer .

Object being sprayed: according to local code.
 Fluid supply container: according to local code.
 All solvent pails used when flushing , according to
local code. Use only metal pails, which are conduc -
tive. Do not place the pail on a non-conductive
surface, such as paper or cardboard, which inter -
rupts the grounding continuity .

T o maintain grounding continuity when flushing or
relieving pressure , always hold a metal part of the
gun firmly to the side of a grounded metal pail, then
trigger the gun.

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Installation
Gun
1. This gun includes an inlet filter suitable for latex
paint. Contact your Graco distributor to order a
stain/enamel filter . T o install, screw out the filter
cap. Push the filter into the fluid tube. Reinstall the
gasket with the lips facing into the gun. Reinstall
the cap and tighten with a wrench. See Fig 1.
2. Connect a grounded fluid hose from your pump or
sprayer to the gun’ s 1/4–18 npt(m) inlet.
3. Remove the RAC IV DripLess tip guard from the
gun (Model 220–730 only).
4. Flush and then prime the pump or sprayer as
instructed in the separate pump or sprayer manu -
al. Relieve fluid pressure and engage the gun
safety lever .
5.
If you have a RAC IV DripLess T ip Guard and
SwitchT ip, refer to the installation instructions
below.
For any other type of tip guard, refer to the instruc -
tions supplied with it for installation and operation.
Fig 1
GASKET
FILTER
CAP
FIL TER
1/4–18 npt(m)
FLUID INLET

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Installation
Reverse-A-Clean IV and SwitchTip
WARNING
Failure to install or use the RAC IV tip guard assembly
correctly may result in an undirected spray of paint
into the eyes or on the skin of the operator. Be sure
you:
Use
the appropriate gasket for the solvent used.
See page 8.
 Fully insert the SwitchT ip into the guard.
 Fully tighten the guard onto the gun nozzle
using a wrench.
T urn the SwitchTip handle so it is parallel to the
gun nozzle. See Fig. 2.
 When replacing a worn spray tip, always install
a new gasket and seat.
RETAINING
NUT
Fig 2
SwitchTip
HANDLE
RAC
IV DripLess
TIP GUARD
FULL SPRA Y POSITION
FULL CLEAN POSITION
YES
YES
NO

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Installation
A black and yellow gasket are supplied with each Switch -
Tip.
The solvent you use determines which gasket to use
with the RAC IV . The new flat-backed seat accepts either
gasket. If you have an older RAC IV which you plan to use
with this gun, you must install the new style seat.
When to use the black rubber gasket
The black rubber gasket is for use ONLY with latex and
oil-based paints, stoddard solvents, mineral spirits, tur-
pentine and water . When using this gasket, the SwitchT ip
can
be removed and replaced without using tools.
When to use the yellow plastic gasket
The yellow plastic gasket can be used with the same
fluids as the black rubber gasket AND with most other
solvents. When using this gasket, you must loosen the
RAC
IV retaining nut to remove the SwitchT ip.
WARNING
T o reduce the risk of fluid splashback in to the eyes
or on the skin:
USE THE BLACK RUBBER GASKET ONL Y with
latex and oil-based paints, stoddard solvents,
mineral spirits, turpentine, and water . Never use it
with any other solvents.
USE THE YELLOW PLASTIC GASKET with the
same solvents as the black rubber gasket and with
lacquer thinner , tricholorethylene, MEK, acetone,
brush cleaner , xylol, and any unknown solvents.
To install the RAC IV and SwitchTip
WARNING
Always follow the Pressure Relief Procedure
Warning on page 9 before installing, cleaning or
changing
tips.
NOTE: The spray tip supplied with this gun is for use
with medium viscosity fluid, such as latex paint. See
AV AILABLE TIPS, page 12, or contact your Graco
distributor to help you select the right tip for your job.
Install the SwitchT ip in the tip guard. The flange on the
cylinder fits into the slots at the base of the tip guard.
See Fig 3.
Place the seat on the end of a pencil, curved side out.
Guide the seat into the retaining nut and turn it until it
straddles the cylinder . Drop in the appropriate gasket
and press it down. If using the yellow plastic gasket, be
sure the flat side faces out.
Screw the RAC IV retaining nut snugly onto the gun,
holding the orange tip guard in the desired position.
Finish tightening with a wrench.
CAUTION
Never use a wrench to turn the plastic tip guard, to
avoid damage to the guard.
Fig 3
YELLOW
PLASTIC
GASKET
BLACK
RUBBER
GASKET
221–XXX
SwitchTip
SPRA
Y TIP
RAC IV
DripLess
TIP GUARD
RETAINING
NUT
FLAT-BACKED
SEAT

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Operation
Pressure Relief Procedure
WARNING
INJECTION HAZARD
The system pressure must be manually
relieved to prevent the system from
starting or spraying accidentally . Fluid
under high pressure can be injected through the
skin and cause serious injury . T o reduce the risk of
an injury from injection, splashing fluid, or moving
parts, follow the Pressure Relief Procedure
whenever you:
 are instructed to relieve the pressure,
 stop spraying,
 check or service any of the system equipment,
 or install or clean the spray tips.
1. Shut of f the power to the pump or sprayer . For an
air powered pump, also close the bleed-type
master air valve. For an electric sprayer , also
unplug it.
2. Hold a metal part of the gun firmly to the side of a
grounded metal pail, and trigger the gun into the
pail to relieve pressure.
3. Engage the gun safety lever .
4.
Open the pump or sprayer drain valve or other
fluid relief valve.
If you suspect that the spray tip or hose is completely
clogged, or that pressure has not been fully relieved
after following the steps above, very slowly loosen the
tip guard retaining nut of hose end coupling to relieve
pressure gradually , then loosen completely . Now clear
the tip or hose.

 
Operation
Gun
1. Be sure you know how to operate the trigger
safety lever . Set the lever in the “ON SAFE” posi -
tion whenever you stop spraying. T o set the safety
lever , point the gun down so the trigger falls for -
ward, then flip the safety lever to the right or left so
it is perpendicular to the trigger . This is the “SAFE”
of inoperative position. To release the safety lever ,
flip the lever to the center , so it is parallel to the
trigger . This is the “OFF SAFE” or spraying posi -
tion. See Fig 4.
Fig 4
SAFETY LEVER IN
“OFF SAFE” OR
SPRAYING
POSITION
SAFETY LEVER IN
“ON SAFE” OR
INOPERATIVE
POSITION
TRIGGER
V
iew from front of gun
WARNING
To reduce the risk of a serious fluid injection injury , do
not operate the gun with the tip guard, gun body, or
trigger
safety lever removed.
2. Always use the lowest pressure necessary to
obtain good atomization. Higher pressures cause
premature wear of the tip, gun and pump or spray -
er.
Reverse-A-Clean
Be sure the arrow of the cylinder handle is in the FULL
SPRAY
position before operating the gun.
WARNING
Keep clear of the nozzle. High pressure fluid from
leaks
or spray can penetrate the sking and cause ex -
tremely
serious injury , including the need for amputa -
tion. The tip guard provides extra protection against
fluid injection, but does not prevent it. Never cut off
the
tip guard.
CAUTION
The openings in the tip guard are designed to reduce
paint buildup on the guard while spraying. Any
damage to the sharp edges of the tip guard openings
causes paint to collect at that area. T o reduce the
risk of damage, do not hang the gun by the tip guard.
To Clear a Clogged SwitchTip
If the SwitchT ip clogs while spraying, engage the gun
safety latch. T urn the arrow handle to the FULL
SPRAY
position. Disengage the safety latch and
trigger the gun into a waste container . Fluid pressure
should force out the clog. Engage the safety latch and
return the arrow to the FULL SPRA Y position. See Fig
5.
If the SwitchTip is still clogged,
shut of f the power
to the pump/sprayer . VER Y SLOWL Y loosen the
retaining nut to relieve pressure gradually . Clean or
replace the tip.
Fig 5
RETAINING NUT
FULL SPRA Y
POSITION
FULL CLEAN
POSITION