new year start up

well...my first year paid for 3/4 my machine... I am happy with that...still very much a newbie though lol. My question now as I am starting to line up this years work is what do I have to do as far as yearly maintenance on equipment? Should I clean all the stencills? How can I shake left over paints, local stores cant shake traffic paint? Someone told me I should thin my paint is this true? I am primarily a Painter and rarely do I thin. What do you all do as you start your new year? Hugh

1. Before you even start your machine check ALL OF THE FLUIDS, tire pressure, ect. 2. Test your machines before you schedule your first job. You don't want to schedule work and then cancel because your machine is busted. 3. You should clean your stencils after every job. 4. If your store cannot shake your paint, flip it on its lid for a day, turn back over. when on job use a ribbon mixer and a cordless drill to mix the paint. 5. You should not have to thin the paint after you mix it with the drill. Hope this helps.

If you are using oil based paint I would strongly suggest an air drill and not a cordless one due the the vents and the brushes sparking could lead to sending you sky high or burned.

if you have any left over paint make sure it has not been frozen.. Find and buy paint from a paint store that will shake your paint.. Saves you labor cost in long run..change all oil, spark plugs, air filters, check pull cords on machines.Does not cost that much to replace all of the above for a lot better service..Try to never thin paint if using airless. would help to strain old paint after mixed thoroughly.. check like air in tires, grease fittings, lube cables, and replace Hooters stickers on side of machine...