Sander Maintenance

Daily (or every use)

1. Drain your compressor tank

  • Water is the #1 enemy of air tools.
  • Drain the compressor at the end of each day.
  • If you have a refrigerated dryer or desiccant dryer, maintain it regularly.

2. Add air tool oil

If you DO NOT have an inline lubricator:

  • Place 2–3 drops of quality pneumatic air tool oil into the air inlet before use.
  • After finishing for the day, add another 2–3 drops and run the sander for 5–10 seconds before storing.

Never use: WD-40, Motor oil, ATF, Penetrating oils. These are not proper air tool lubricants.

Weekly

Inspect the backing pad

Look for:

  • Torn hook-and-loop material
  • Cracks
  • Uneven wear
  • Loose retaining screw

    A worn pad creates vibration and poor finishes.

Check free speed

The tool should:

  • Start instantly
  • Run smoothly
  • Have no excessive vibration
  • Maintain speed under light sanding pressure

If it feels sluggish, the motor probably needs cleaning or lubrication.

Monthly

Inspect the air hose and fittings

Check for:

  • Air leaks
  • Loose couplers
  • Damaged whip hose
  • Restricted airflow

Even a small restriction reduces power.

Clean the exhaust

Dust eventually plugs the muffler.

Symptoms include:

  • Reduced power
  • Slow speed
  • Higher operating temperature

Many mufflers can simply be blown clean with compressed air or replaced.

Every 6–12 Months (Heavy Professional Use)

Disassemble and inspect:

  • Vanes
  • Bearings
  • O-rings
  • Rotor
  • Cylinder
  • Throttle valve

Contact PneuStream for rebuild kits that replace the normal wear items.

More Tips

During Sanding

A surprising amount of tool life comes from proper technique.

✔ Let the sander do the work.

Avoid:

  • Leaning heavily on the tool
  • Running only on the edge of the pad
  • Tilting the sander

Too much pressure:

  • Slows the orbit
  • Creates heat
  • Wears bearings
  • Damages pads
  • Produces worse finishes

Excessive pressure slows the pad and increases wear.

Keep Dust Out

If possible:

  • Blow dust off the tool regularly.
  • Keep the air inlet capped when the hose is disconnected.

Dust mixed with moisture becomes abrasive inside the air motor.