How Do You Clean an Automatic Drywall Taper
Author: LEVEL5
Publish Date: May 23, 2023
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An automatic drywall taper is designed to simultaneously deliver compound and drywall tape onto seams. This workhorse tool has several moving parts and components which need to be cleaned and maintained. In the long run, proper care will keep your taper functioning optimally for a decade or more.
Cleaning your automatic drywall taper need not be a chore. With a few simple tools you can complete the task quickly. Plus, you’ll be able to inspect many parts of the taper closely to identify wear and tear, and any wearing parts that might need replacement.
Tools to Clean an Automatic Drywall Taper
Before getting started, gather the following items:
- Bucket of water
- Sponge, brush, and toothbrush (optional)
- Pressure washer or hose
- 3-in-1 machine oil for lubricating all moving parts
Steps for cleaning an Automatic Drywall Taper
First, you will need to empty the mud from the tube. To do this, advance your drive wheel to wind the cable and raise the plunger. The easiest way to do this is to roll the drive wheel repeatedly against a board on the ground or another appropriate surface until the plunger is raised. This means that the taper has no more compound in it.
Next, wash the taper head and parts to remove any drying or caked mud in these areas which might cause clogging and damage to your taper. Using a bucket of water and a sponge, tip your taper towards the water and wash it down with a sponge, a soft bristled brush, and even a toothbrush if you need to reach into the tight areas.
Then remove the LEVEL5 QUICK-CLEAN™ cover plate to get a visual of the cable and taper head components. Wash the entire taper with a hose or pressure washer. This means washing the taper head, the body, the cover plate, and the tube, making sure to clean off any remaining mud. We highly recommend a low-pressure pressure washer to make light work of this part of the process. The small, economical electric pressure washers used for washing cars is ideal and will help remove any mud or debris that may be lodged in the inner crevices of the automatic taper with ease.
Now inspect the taper for any damage. If you have an in-field taper repair kit (SKU #4-815), you can use the components to fix any identified issues. Make sure that all the parts are functioning properly; early detection will help to prevent any malfunction which could cause further damage or result in downtime on a future job.
Finally, lubricate all moving parts with a 3-in-1 machine oil. It is important not to use standard WD-40 or silicone sprays as they can deteriorate the rubber seals and gaskets on your automatic drywall taper. Apply lubricant to all moving parts to ensure that they are functioning smoothly.
You are now ready to store your automatic taper until you need it again!
Regular maintenance requires a bit of extra effort but is recommended to keep your automatic drywall taper functioning like new for years to come.
Whether you are rounding out your tool set, or just getting started with automatic drywall tools, LEVEL5 has a wide range of products to choose from. Backed by a 7-year warranty, one of the best in the industry, these tools are crafted for professional applications and designed to improve your workflow and quality of output.
An automatic drywall taper is designed to simultaneously deliver compound and drywall tape onto seams. This workhorse tool has several moving parts and components which need to be cleaned and maintained. In the long run, proper care will keep your taper functioning optimally for a decade or more.
Cleaning your automatic drywall taper need not be a chore. With a few simple tools you can complete the task quickly. Plus, you’ll be able to inspect many parts of the taper closely to identify wear and tear, and any wearing parts that might need replacement.
Tools to Clean an Automatic Drywall Taper
Before getting started, gather the following items:
- Bucket of water
- Sponge, brush, and toothbrush (optional)
- Pressure washer or hose
- 3-in-1 machine oil for lubricating all moving parts
Steps for cleaning an Automatic Drywall Taper
First, you will need to empty the mud from the tube. To do this, advance your drive wheel to wind the cable and raise the plunger. The easiest way to do this is to roll the drive wheel repeatedly against a board on the ground or another appropriate surface until the plunger is raised. This means that the taper has no more compound in it.
Next, wash the taper head and parts to remove any drying or caked mud in these areas which might cause clogging and damage to your taper. Using a bucket of water and a sponge, tip your taper towards the water and wash it down with a sponge, a soft bristled brush, and even a toothbrush if you need to reach into the tight areas.
Then remove the LEVEL5 QUICK-CLEAN™ cover plate to get a visual of the cable and taper head components. Wash the entire taper with a hose or pressure washer. This means washing the taper head, the body, the cover plate, and the tube, making sure to clean off any remaining mud. We highly recommend a low-pressure pressure washer to make light work of this part of the process. The small, economical electric pressure washers used for washing cars is ideal and will help remove any mud or debris that may be lodged in the inner crevices of the automatic taper with ease.
Now inspect the taper for any damage. If you have an in-field taper repair kit (SKU #4-815), you can use the components to fix any identified issues. Make sure that all the parts are functioning properly; early detection will help to prevent any malfunction which could cause further damage or result in downtime on a future job.
Finally, lubricate all moving parts with a 3-in-1 machine oil. It is important not to use standard WD-40 or silicone sprays as they can deteriorate the rubber seals and gaskets on your automatic drywall taper. Apply lubricant to all moving parts to ensure that they are functioning smoothly.
You are now ready to store your automatic taper until you need it again!
Regular maintenance requires a bit of extra effort but is recommended to keep your automatic drywall taper functioning like new for years to come.
Whether you are rounding out your tool set, or just getting started with automatic drywall tools, LEVEL5 has a wide range of products to choose from. Backed by a 7-year warranty, one of the best in the industry, these tools are crafted for professional applications and designed to improve your workflow and quality of output.
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