Most tools need a bit of cleaning now and then, depending on what you use them for, but roofing nailers perhaps more so. After all, they get exposed to the tarry stickiness of roofing shingles – which is something that tends to stick and build up on the nailer after a while. Obviously, you have to clean it off from time to time – but how?
I will discuss how to clean a Hitachi roofing nailer, but it could be any brand really, as most of them are quite similar in construction.
First of all, always make sure you disconnect the air hose, before doing any kind of work on the nailer. Imagine accidentally shooting yourself in the finger while trying to clean the push lever! A frightening prospect.
Then open the nail guide and check for dust and debris. You may use a rag or a fine-haired brush – or just blow it clean with compressed air, since you have that handy already. There obviously shouldn’t be anything stuck in the nail guide or in the magazine – especially not something abrasive like grains of sand or slate (from the shingles), as you might see premature wear as a result, or stuck nails, etc. When you are done cleaning the nail guide, apply some lubricant to the whole area to keep things moving smoothly and to prevent it from rusting. Don’t slather the lube all over the place – just a few drops rubbed out with a dry rag will do.
(Here’s why you want to go easy on the lube: If you leave too much of it, then it will actually attract dirt and dust and allow it to build up – which is what you are trying to clean off in the first place. Just a thin film of oil where ever oil is needed – is enough.)
Now, if you look at the nose area, the push lever and the outlet, it is common to see some buildup of tar and such. This is because this part of the nailer comes in contact with the shingles, and during hot days the tar is especially soft and prone to stick. You don’t want that stuff there, so get some kerosene or diesel oil and use that to clean the parts mentioned. These will do just fine, so don’t tempted to use something more flammable like gasoline. It’s just too dangerous. And don’t get your chosen solvent anywhere else than one the nose parts (steel parts) as other parts of the nailer may be damaged. Plastic parts may actually dissolve! Remember to dry off any lube or solvent after cleaning (to prevent dirt from building up, remember?).
That should pretty much do it, so good luck with it!
