How To Clean Rigid Shop Vac Filter

How to Change or Replace Wet Dry Vacuum Filters – 5 Easy Steps

remove the shop vac filter

REMOVE THE SHOP VACUUM FILTER:

The process of removing the wet dry vacuum filter from the filter assembly or cage will vary by brand. There are many methods of holding the filter onto the assembly. Each method will requires different steps to remove.

1. The Filter Plate & Nut ; This is a separate plate that fits onto the end of the filter. The filter cage or assembly has a threaded stud than goes through this plate, and a nut is used to hold the filter and plate securely in place.

First unscrew the filter nut from the threaded cage stud.

Remove filter nut.
Second pop the filter plate off of the end of the shop vacuum filter
Remove filter plate from filter and stud.
Slide vacuum filter off of cage/assembly.
Be sure not to loose or misplace these parts they will be needed when returning a cleaned or new filter.

Filter plate and nut

Filter Plate & Nut

2. The Screw Cap ; This is similar to the Filter Plate & Nut but the Cap is larger and is typically in some manner threaded. This method reduces the pieces you have to keep track of by combining the plate and the nut. The cap acts as both plate and nut, and is attached to the filter cage by twisting or screwing clockwise to securely hold the filter.

First unscrew or untwist the cap (counter clockwise).
Remove cap from the filter and filter cage.
Slide wet dry vac filter off of the cage/assembly.
Like in Method one be sure not to loose or misplace these the cap because it is needed when returning a cleaned or new filter.

vac filter screw cap

Screw Cap Style Filter

3. Qwik Lock ™ Fastening System ; Qwick Lock™ is a patented fastening system used by a couple of the top brands including WORKSHOP. This system removes all extra pieces to keep track of and makes filter replacement and changes a snap. It does this by integrating the plate into the filter and using a specially designed filter cage and stud to hold the filter securely into place. (Learn more)

First hold the Filter Tabs of the Qwik Lock™ filter in each hand.
With one thumb on the Qwik Lock™ stud (part of the cage), which protrudes through the integrated filter plate, lift up on the filter tabs while pushing down on the stud. This action will cause the vacuum filter to release from the filter cage.
Slide shop vacuum filter off of the cage.
There are no parts to keep track

Remove Vacuum Filter

Removing Qwik Lock Vac Filter

4. Retaining Band ; Another method used for specialty filters and filter bags is to use a retaining band. Though this is not as often used with a cartridge style filter. The band can be metal requiring a screwdriver to tighten or loosen, or rubber that is stretch tight to hold the filter in place

Remove the retainer band careful to not tear the paper filter
Remove the filter bag from the filter cage.

Vacuum Retaining Band

Retaining Band Filter

Continue for Step 3