Airless sprayers are extraordinarily versatile tools with a wide variety of applications.
Furthermore, the huge array of spray paint tips available enable you to spray almost any coating type from oil-based enamels, clear acrylics, polyurethane and latex through to anti corrosion coatings and two pack coating types.
Your choice of tip gives you complete control over fan width and coating depth for precision work or rapid large surface coverage.
Tip choice also plays a large part in controlling paint flow, paint wastage and thereby the cost effectiveness of any project.
So, it makes good sense to have a solid understanding of how the right choice of tip can make your life easier and your finish better.
Did you know using a worn airless spray tip can cost you nearly $100 every hour you continue using it? Click here to Learn more
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Airless Spray Tips
Spray tip size is designated by three numbers. Take the first digit; double it and this will give you the width of the spray fan in inches.
Yes, even in Australia, we still use inches for this measurement.
For example, a 515 tip will give you a spray fan pattern 10 inches wide (2 x 5) when the sprayer is approximately 12 inches (30 cms) from the surface.
A 315 tip will produce a 6-inch wide spray fan, a 413 tip will produce an 8 inch and so on.
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This is a general guide because the fan width may vary slightly depending on the sprayer pressure and material choice by up to 2 inches (5cms).
Tip Orifice
The tip orifice is where final paint atomisation occurs. The last two digits indicate the size of this orifice in thousandths of an inch.
Thus, a 515 tip denotes an orifice measuring 15 thousandths of an inch in diameter.
Tip Size
The size of this opening controls how much coating material can flow out through the tip.
The larger the orifice, the more paint can come through it. The amount of pressure used will also influence this. Higher pressures will force more material through the orifice.
These three numbers together tell you a lot about whether the tip is suitable for your needs.
But what happens when you compare two tips with the same fan width but with different orifice sizes?
Let’s take an example.
A 515 tip compared with a 523 tip. Both tips will spray a pattern 10 inches wide but the 523 tip will produce a thicker coating provided you use the same sprayer pressure and hand speed.
On the other hand, keeping the orifice size the same and increasing the fan width allows you to spread the same amount of material over a wider area.
When it comes to choosing tips, you should start by checking the coating manufacturer’s instructions; they have researched optimum tip sizes for the viscosity of their particular products.
Having said that, the range of tip sizes available allows you almost infinite control of your spraying finish and quality.
Spray Tips Wear
We supply the toughest tips in the industry.
The Tritech tips, for example, are made with super hard tungsten carbide measuring 93 on the Rockwell scale of hardness.
As a comparison, a diamond measures 100 on this same scale.
However, airless spray tips are subject to enormous pressures and do wear out just like any other painting tools.
A tip will spray, on average, around 300-600 litres before you need to replace it.
A new tip should produce a soft, thinner coated edge around the spray fan.
As the tip wears, this soft edge will become more defined and the fan size will decrease. You’ll start using more paint for the same area coverage and the spray pattern will be more uneven.
Persevering with a worn spray tip will simply end up costing you money and will produce inferior results.
Tritech tips are unique in that they have super hard tungsten at 93 Rockwell hardness & all other brands are about 83-85 Rockwell hardness. This means Tritech tips will outlast any other tip in a comparable situation.
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Spray Gun Tip Sizes Chart
The beauty of airless sprayers and the wide choice of tips available is that it allows you to spray an enormous number of different coatings ranging from very thin to the heaviest, most viscous coatings.
With the right tip, you can spray materials such as:
- Thin – clear coat lacquer, water sealers, varnish
- Medium – clear acrylics, oil-based enamel, latex, primer oils
- Heavy – heavy latex, smooth elastomerics
- Very heavy – block fillers, elastomerics, two packs, intumescents (fire retardants)
Check the manufacturer’s guidelines that come with the coating. They will provide an accurate guide to choosing the right tip for the job.
In certain circumstances you may need to use a tip outside that range but only do this if you know what you’re doing.
Below is a general guide / chart for the spray gun tip sizes for various materials.
Spray Tip Chart – Sizing Guide
| Material Type | Tip Size | Material Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Coat Lacquer | 009 – 011 | Thin |
| Varnish, below low VOC | 009 – 011 | Thin |
| Shellac | 009 – 013 | Thin |
| Transparent Stain | 009 – 013 | Thin |
| Water Sealers | 009 – 013 | Thin |
| Water borne Lacquer | 012 – 014 | Medium |
| Clear Acrylics | 012 – 014 | Medium |
| 100% Acrylic for Interior, Latex | 013 – 015 | Medium |
| Oil-based Enamels | 013 – 015 | Medium |
| Polyurethane | 013 – 015 | Medium |
| Solid Stain | 013 – 015 | Medium |
| Low VOC varnish | 013 – 015 | Medium |
| Interior Latex | 015 – 017 | Medium |
| Primer Latex | 015 – 017 | Medium |
| Exterior Latex | 017 – 019 | Medium |
| Primer Oils | 017 – 019 | Medium |
| Elastomerics, smooth only | 021 – 025 | Heavy |
| Heavy Latex | 021 – 025 | Heavy |
| Elastomerics | 025 – 039 | Very heavy |
| Block Fillers | 025 – 039 | Very heavy |
| Intumescents | 017 – 039 | Heavy to very heavy |
Spray Tip Holders (Guards)
Most major tip manufacturers produce tip guards to fit most brands of gun.
We supply the TriTech range of safety guards including the Maxx guard for pressures up to 7500 PSI (500 BAR). Spray guards are made from aluminium and will fit most makes of spray gun including:
- Tritech
- Wagner
- Titan
- Atomex
- Spray Chief
- Graco
Choosing the Right Spray Tip
Choosing the right tip can make an enormous difference to the finish quality, completion time, and cost effectiveness of any spraying project.
A good tip is a real investment and will pay for itself very quickly.
Simply follow our 3 step process to select the right spray tip for your next paint job.
Step 1:
Firstly we need to work out your paint or stain thickness which will determine the tip size you need to use:
Thin Materials
| Material Type | Tip Size |
|---|---|
| Clear Coat Lacquer | 009 – 011 |
| Varnish, below low VOC | 009 – 011 |
| Shellac | 009 – 013 |
| Transparent Stain | 009 – 013 |
| Water Sealers | 009 – 013 |
Medium Materials
| Material Type | Tip Size |
|---|---|
| Water borne Lacquer | 012 – 014 |
| Clear Acrylics | 012 – 014 |
| 100% Acrylic for Interior, Latex | 013 – 015 |
| Oil-based Enamels | 013 – 015 |
| Polyurethane | 013 – 015 |
| Solid Stain | 013 – 015 |
| Low VOC varnish | 013 – 015 |
| Interior Latex | 015 – 017 |
| Primer Latex | 015 – 017 |
| Exterior Latex | 017 – 019 |
| Primer Oils | 017 – 019 |
Thick Materials
| Material Type | Tip Size |
|---|---|
| Elastomerics | 025 – 039 |
| Block Fillers | 025 – 039 |
| Intumescents | 017 – 039 |
Pro Tip:
- User smaller tip sizes when applying thinner materials such as stains and enamels.
- Use larger sizes for thicker materials such as exterior, latex and oil based paints.
Step 2:
Secondly, you’ll want to work out the fan width that’s required to work out your spray tip:
Spray Tip Fan Width Chart
| TIP SIZE | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 INCH | 4 INCH | 6 INCH | 8 INCH | 10 INCH | 12 INCH | |
| .011 | 111 | 211 | 311 | 411 | ||
| .013 | 213 | 313 | 413 | |||
| .015 | 315 | 415 | 515 | |||
| .017 | 417 | 517 | ||||
| .019 | 519 | 619 | ||||
| .021 | 521 | 621 | ||||
Pro Tip
- Number calculation, it’s the first digit is half the fan width (5 x 2 = 10 inch fan width)
- It’s the last two digits that are the size of the tip opening in thousandths of an inch.
Step 3:
Finally, you’ll want to confirm it the selected spray tip size is supported by your sprayer equipment.
Spray Tips Buying Guide
At Paint Spray Tools, we supply the TriTech range of paint spray tips that are made from stainless steel and will fit most major brands and models of spray guns including Graco, Titan, Atomex, TriTech and Wagner sprayers.
Tritech tips will fit Wagner, Titan, Atomex, Spray Chief & Graco RAC V guns. To be compatible with Graco RAC X the tip guard has to be replaced with a Tritech guard. See our guide below for more information.
Graco Spray Gun Tips
Graco manufacture a huge range of tips suitable for all purposes.
The Graco spray tip range includes:
- RAC X Latex – ideal for latex, lacquers, & mastics
- RAC X FFLP – for an exceptionally fine finish
- Wide RAC X—for high production, fan widths up to 24”
- RAC 5 – highest selling tip on the market—for a wide variety of uses
- Linelazer RAC5 – precision line marking and no fuzzy edging
- Heavy duty RAC – suitable for nearly all paints and coatings
- RAC4 – still a standout tip in a variety of sizes
The RAC stands for Reverse-A- Cleaning and means you can easily unclog the tip by turning it around 180° and continuing to spray.
TriTech guards will fit most Graco tips except RAC X.
Titan Spray Gun Tips
Titan tips come in a wide range of models and fan widths, with orifice sizes from 0.007 to 0.072. Titan tips are hard wearing and are reversible.
The Titan range of tips also includes the HEA (High Efficiency Airless), which use a double atomising to optimise paint delivery and reduce tip wear and tear.
Atomex Spray Gun Tips
Atomex tips feature hardened carbide steel and solvent resistant seals.
Tips come in four categories with a wide range of orifice sizes and fan widths within each category:
- Contractor – general purpose
- Heavy Duty – up to 7500PSI (500BAR)
- Wide Spray – Fan width up to 24” (600mm)
- Fine Finish – Fan width 2” up to 12” (500mm to 300mm)
Atomex tips fit most major gun brands.
Wagner Spray Gun Tips
Wagner’s HEA range of tips allows you to use a lower pressure (1000PSI) – this results in less overspray.
The Trade tips from Wagner are for general contractor spraying
Choose the tip size you need from 211 to 621.
TriTech Spray Gun Tips
Tritech offer a range of tips for specific purposes including:
- Contractor – a super tough workhorse that really lasts. Suits all types of contractor spraying applications
- Ultra-finish – stunning, professional finish for fine work. Equivalent to Wagner HEA & Graco FFLP spray tips
- Maxx – for high pressure, heavy duty industrial spraying projects up to MWP 500 bar / 7250 psi
- Sharp-liner – precision spraying with clear, defined edges
- Hi-production – MWP 350 bar / 5075 psi for maximum coverage
A wide range of tip sizes exist within each of these categories from 107 to 937 as well as orifice sizes ranging from 0.007” through to 0.037”.
Tritech tips use mega-hard tungsten carbide meaning the tips will last longer saving you money on tips & thereby reducing paint wastage
Tritech tips will fit Wagner, Titan, Atomex, Spray Chief & Graco RAC V guns. To be compatible with Graco RAC X the tip guard has to be replaced with a Tritech guard.
TriTech Spray Tips Sizing Charts (Click to Download)
TRITECH CONTRACTOR AIRLESS SPRAY TIP
MWP 350 bar / 5075 psi
The T93R is available in 145 fan width/orifice combinations so you can match the right tip to every coating you spray.
SAFETY GUARD
The hand-tight T93R Safety Guard fits most major manufacturers airless spray guns and accepts most tips. Large knurls for a sure grip.
TRITECH ULTRA FINISH AIRLESS SPRAY TIP
MWP 350 bar / 5075 psi
Unique double-orifice atomizes the coating twice for lower spraying pressures – each time finer than the first to achieve an ultra fine finish. 17 fan pattern/orifice size combinations are available. Lower pressure spraying gives more control and reduces paint waste
SAFETY GUARD
The hand-tight T93R Safety Guard fits most major manufacturers airless spray guns and accepts most tips. Large knurls for a sure grip.
TRITECH MAXX AIRLESS SPRAY TIPS
MWP 500 bar / 7250 psi
T93R MAXX tips have a 7500 PSI (500 BAR) MWP for maximum pressure spray applications. This simple 3-component design makes tip changes on the job quick and safe.
MAXX SAFETY GUARD
T93R Safety Guard fits most major manufacturers’ airless spray guns. All metal parts are stainless steel for durability.
Getting the Right Advice
Now you can make sure you’re covered for every spray painting project with our enormous range of tips.
Come and talk to us; we can help you choose the right tip for your next project.
