How to Clean and Oil a Paslode Cordless Framing Nailer

To clean a Paslode cordless framing nailer, remove the battery, fuel cell and nails, wipe off dust and residue, clean the filter and the nose area, then add a few drops of Paslode cordless lubricating oil to the combustion chamber area. Use only the oil and cleaner Paslode recommends, and follow the exact steps in your model's manual, because parts differ between models. Doing this regularly keeps the tool firing cleanly and helps prevent misfires and stuck drivers.

Why a combustion nailer needs cleaning and oil

A Paslode cordless framing nailer works differently from an air nailer or a battery-only nailer. A small fuel cell releases gas into a combustion chamber, a spark ignites it, and the burst drives the piston and the nail. The battery runs the spark and a fan that moves air through the chamber.

Every shot leaves a little residue, and job site dust, sawdust and resin add to it. Over time that buildup can slow the piston, foul the seals and make the tool hard to start. Oil keeps the moving parts and seal rings from drying out. Cleaning and oiling are the two jobs that matter most for reliability.

The example we use in our comparison data is the Paslode Cordless XP (model 906300). It is a 30 degree paper strip nailer that weighs 7.2 lb and takes 2 to 3-1/4 in nails. The general routine below applies to Paslode cordless framers, but your manual has the final word on which screws, covers and parts to touch.

Safety first

This tool holds a flammable fuel cell and a battery, and it fires fasteners. Treat cleaning time as the moment when most accidents can be avoided.

Work through these precautions before you do anything else:

Remove the battery and the fuel cell before any cleaning or oiling.
Take the nails out of the magazine and keep the nose pointed away from your body and anyone nearby.
Wear safety glasses. Cleaner spray and loose debris can splash or fly back.
Clean in a ventilated area, away from sparks, open flames and anything hot.
Use only cleaner and oil made for Paslode cordless tools. Do not substitute household lubricants, which can gum up the chamber or damage seals.
Never blow compressed air toward your face, and keep spray cleaner away from the battery contacts.

What you need

You do not need much. Gather a clean, lint-free rag, a soft brush, a small container to catch drips, safety glasses and a screwdriver or hex key that fits your tool's screws. Add Paslode cordless lubricating oil and the cleaner Paslode recommends for the tool.

Keep the manual handy. It shows which covers come off and where the lubrication points are on your exact model.

Step-by-step cleaning

Set the nailer on a clean bench so small parts do not roll away. Then work in this order:

Remove the battery, the fuel cell and all nails.
Wipe the outside of the tool with a dry rag to remove dust and resin.
Brush debris out of the magazine channel and the nose area where the nail feeds and the driver exits.
Check the air intake and the filter. Brush off dust and clear any packed-in sawdust, as your manual describes.
Clean the combustion chamber area using the cleaner Paslode recommends, following the product directions. Let it dry fully.
Wipe away loosened residue with a clean rag. Do not leave rag fibers inside the tool.
Look at the visible seals and rings for cracks or flat spots. If anything looks damaged, stop and have it serviced.

How to oil it

Oiling comes after cleaning, once everything is dry. Paslode's published procedure for its cordless framers has you tilt the motor assembly upright and add 3 to 4 drops of Paslode cordless lubricating oil, evenly spaced around the top of the combustion chamber. Check your manual for the exact spot, since parts are laid out differently from model to model.

More is not better. Extra oil can pool, attract dust and make the tool run poorly. A few drops in the right place is the goal.

After oiling, reassemble the tool and check that every screw is snug. Loose screws can cause trouble later. Then install the battery and a fuel cell, and fire a few test nails into scrap lumber, pointing the tool away from people and holding it firmly against the wood. A little oil may show up on the first shots, which is normal. Wipe it off the nose.

How often to clean and what to watch for

Paslode's manual gives the service schedule for your model, so use that as the rule. In dusty conditions, such as sanding, demolition or cutting lumber nearby, clean more often than the schedule suggests. Waiting for a problem is the costly way to learn that the tool needed attention.

This table shows common symptoms and what to try first:

Symptom	Likely cause	What to do
Tool is slow to start or fires weakly	Residue or dry seals in the chamber	Clean the chamber area, then oil as directed
Nails do not sink flush	Dirty nose or dry piston area, or the wrong depth setting	Clean the nose, oil, and check depth against scrap lumber
Frequent misfires or no fire	Dirty filter or fouled spark area, or a weak battery or fuel cell	Clean the filter, replace the fuel cell or recharge the battery
Nails jam in the nose	Debris in the channel or bent nails	Clear the channel and use clean, straight collated strips
Oil dripping from the tool	Too much oil applied	Wipe it off and use fewer drops next time

Storage, cold weather and choosing a nailer

Store the nailer in its case with the fuel cell and battery removed. Keep it dry and out of direct heat. The Paslode Cordless XP in our data is listed as working in temperatures down to 14 degrees F, though cold fuel cells can still run weak, so keep the cell in a warm spot until you need it.

If your nailer is old and keeps acting up even after a good cleaning, it may be time to compare options. Our best battery framing nailer page puts battery-driven models next to fuel-cell tools like Paslode on one spec sheet, including weight and nails per charge. The Paslode XP is listed at 7.2 lb and 9,000 nails per battery charge, with 1,200 nails per fuel cell.

For a broader look at what to buy for walls, decks and rafters, see our best framing nailer and best nailer for framing pages. Those pages explain magazine angle and collation, which decide the nails you can buy.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use WD-40 or motor oil on my Paslode nailer?

No. Use only the lubricating oil and cleaner Paslode makes for its cordless tools. Other products can leave residue in the chamber or harm the seals.

Do I need to take the whole nailer apart?

Usually not. Follow your manual and open only the covers it names. If a repair needs deeper disassembly, an authorized service center is the safer choice.

Should I clean the tool if it is working fine?

Yes, on the schedule in your manual. Regular cleaning is easier than fixing a tool that has already started to misfire.

Where can I find the exact steps for my model?

Check the manual that came with the tool or the support section of Paslode's website. Look up your model number, since steps and part names vary.