Spray Gun Tip Size Chart- Find The Right Nozzle

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A spray gun is an easy-to-use and versatile tool for painting purposes. Nevertheless, the spray gun’s tip size varies depending on a wide variety of applications. You should think about this before you begin painting. The manufacturers offer spray guns having a wide variety of arrays & sizes to paint coatings, such as enamel, oil-based paints, polyurethane, latex, clear acrylic, two-pack coatings, and anti-corrosion coatings.

In particular, the right choice of spray gun tip and arrangement are responsible for the top-notch painting results for small or large surfaces. To understand things correctly, I am writing this guide to know all the aspects of spray gun tip size chart. The mentioned airless spray gun tip size chart in the following helps you get the right size for your application type.

What does Paint Sprayer Tips mean?

While using the paint sprayer for painting, the outlet from where the paint comes out is called the nozzle or tip.

The tip size is responsible for controlling the flow of coating material by varying its size. The more the tip size is, the more paint will come out. Although, the pressure also plays a crucial role in getting the right painting array.

Spray tip size is described using three numbers. These three numbers give you the information on whether the paint sprayer tips are according to your needs and requirements or not.

To determine the width of the spray fan in inches, double the first digit. This measurement is still in inches, even in United States, UK, Canada or Australia.

For instance:

A 311 Tip: For a 311 tip, double the first digit (3) to get the spray fan width. So, a 311 tip will produce a 6-inch-wide spray fan when the sprayer is approximately 12 inches away from the surface.

A 517 Tip: Doubling the first digit (5) of a 517 tip will result in a 10-inch-wide spray fan. When you use a 517 tip, the spray pattern will be about 10 inches wide when the sprayer is around 12 inches from the surface.

A 621 Tip: Similarly, with a 621 tip, double the first digit (6) to find the spray fan width. A 621 tip will create a spray fan pattern that’s 12 inches wide when the sprayer is approximately 12 inches away from the surface.

Please note that this is a general guideline, and the fan width might vary slightly, up to 2 inches (5 cm), depending on the sprayer pressure and the material being used.

Here a question arises: what to do if two tips have the same array width but have different fan tip sizes? Don’t worry! I have cleared these queries in the following spray gun nozzle size section:

Same Fan Width but Different Orifice Size

Here you have to focus on the orifice size; the more you increase the spray gun tip size for metal flake, the more coating will be applied correspondingly. However, the pressure is the same due to the same fan width.

Different Fan Width but Same Orifice Size

The fixed amount of coating can be applied on a larger area using different fan widths. Simply apply the least amount of coating per square inch, having the same pressure as the sprayer.

How do I know what size spray gun tip I need?

Suppose you are working on a project to paint a wooden fence. In this case, the choice of the spray gun tip size is essential for a smooth and efficient paint application.

For the type of coating, if you are using a standard latex paint, which is relatively viscous, a tip size of around 1.5 to 1.8 mm may work well. Latex paint typically requires a slightly larger orifice to accommodate its thickness. However, if you plan to use a stain, which is thinner in consistency compared to paint, you might opt for a smaller tip, such as 1.0 to 1.2 mm, to ensure proper atomization.

Now, let’s consider the project surface area. Fences often have narrow slats and posts as well as larger flat sections. To handle these variations, you can choose a spray gun tip that allows for flexibility. For the narrow slats and posts, a narrower fan width will reduce overspray and allow for precise application. On the other hand, for the larger, flat sections, you can adjust the tip to create a wider fan pattern to cover more surface area quickly and evenly.

So, whether you’re working/painting on a boat or a wooden fence, the key is to match the spray gun tip size to both the coating you’re using and the specific characteristics of your project for the best results.

HVLP Spray Gun Tip Size Chart

It’s a common question people ask: what is the tip size on an HVLP?

For users of HVLP paint sprayers, I have provided a tip size chart below to help you choose the correct tip size.

Nozzle / Tip Size	Fluid Type	Material Type	Application	Precautions
2.4 to 2.5	Quite heavy	Resins & Gel Coats	Thick materials, i.e., gel coats, flakes, enamels, primers, polyesters, etc.	Paints are hard to apply with it.
2.0 to 2.3	Heavy	Primers & Adhesives	High-quality solid coatings	Not for basecoats
1.7 to 1.9	Medium-heavy	Enamels & primers	primers	—
1.4 to 1.6	Medium	Clear costs, epoxies, enamels, thin primers, base coat, lacquers, and urethanes	It’s a universal size and usable for any purpose	—
1.1 to 1.3	Thin	Stains, thin clearcoats, sealers, and lacquers	Extremely fine finishes	—
0.5 to 1.0	Quiet thin	Ink, dyes, stains, and bleaches	Fine mist and parting films	—

Paint Sprayer Tip Wear

A paint sprayer (air-based or airless) tip consists of a hard/softcover known as tip wear. Spray paint nozzle tips are prepared from different materials according to the applied pressure, painting array, and other significant factors. Spray gun tips wear also has an average 300-600 liters limit before you need to replace it. After that, you need to replace 1.3 spray gun tip to produce a good, thin, and soft coating.

When you use a soft tip, more paint area is covered, but you need to adjust the fan width. In our experience, you will get more uneven patterns, and the paint consumption will increase. Therefore, I recommend you to use the quality spray tips to get your desired results.

Note: If you choose the proper HVLP nozzle sizes and tip wear, you can save a significant amount of paint, decreasing the overall painting budget.

Paint Sprayer Tip Size Chart – Sizing Guide

The beauty of using a paint sprayer is to choose the different 2mm spray gun nozzle according to your needs and requirements. You can apply numerous coatings as per your desired thickness, such as thin, most viscous coatings, or heaviest coatings. Let’s have a short description of these coating types:

What Size To Use For Spray Tip?

Choosing the correct spray tip size gives you the best finish quality, cost-effectiveness, and less completion time for any spraying project. Just following the simple steps mentioned below to get the information about how to measure spray gun tip size:

Step 1: Select a Tip Size

First, you have to know about the thickness of the paint in your mind that you want for your project. The table mentioned above will provide you with all the necessary details for all kinds of paint materials and paint thicknesses.

If you want to apply a thin coating of the stain or paint, go for buying the smaller tip size. Conversely, go for larger tip sizes for thick materials such as latex, exterior, or oil-based paints.

Step 2: Choose The Fan Width

Fan width selection is an important factor when you want to get the right painting pressure. You should consult with the fan width size chart for more information.

Note: Remember that the first digit is half of the total fan width in inches. Similarly, the last two digits shows the size of tip opening as per thousands of an inch.

Step 3: Verify

In the end, double-check your calculation and chosen fan width & tip sizes. It’s always better to verify from an expert or our website about the sizes.

Graco Spray Tip Guide

The spray tip selector tool from Graco is also an excellent resource for choosing the right graco spray tip. Using this tool, you can find out which spray tip size and angle would be most suitable for your paint type, the surface texture, and the spraying pressure.

Next, check the color code provided by the manufacturer. It’s always better to follow the manual instructions because they update the instructions according to the material and the equipment provided. In short, the whole process is easier and you get the correct tip size quickly.

graco sprayer tip chart

Graco Spray Gun Tip	Usage
RAC 4	This is designed for narrow surfaces and thinner materials such as lacquers and stains.
RAC 5	The most popular tip works for a wide range of applications such as lacquers to mastics.
Heavy duty RAC	It is ideal for all paints, solvents, and water-based coatings
LineLazer RAC5	It is designed to produce smooth stripping lines free of fuzzy edges.
Wide RAC X	It sprays in half the time of standard tips, covering twice the area. It is designed for high production, which requires a larger airless sprayer.
RAC X FFLP	It is designed to be used with fine-finish materials such as varnish, urethane and lacquer.
RAC X Latex	It is for use with latex paints and lacquers in the residential or commercial application

Except for RAC X, TriTech guards work with most Graco tips. Read more about the differences of Graco and Titan sprayers in the detail guide.

Wagner Spray Gun Tips

The Wagner spraying tips are designed for professional contractors. By using a lower pressure (1000PSI), Wagner HEA tips reduce overspray. The tip size you need can be found between 211 and 621.

Titan Spray Gun Tips

Models of Titan tips are available in a wide range of fan widths, with orifice sizes ranging from 0.007 to 0.072. Titan spray tips are reversible and durable. In addition, HEA (High Efficiency Airless) tips are also featured in the Titan range, which use a double atomizing process to optimize paint delivery.

FAQs On paint sprayer tip size chart

Can I spray clear with a 1.4 tip?

Usually, the 1.2 tip is used for smaller painting projects such as car painting and other home DIY tasks. Specifically, a 1.4 tip is better for metallic and base coats due to the droplet size. However, you get the particles self-orients and clear.

What size spray tip should I use to spray cabinets?

Every home consists of cabinets in rooms and especially the kitchens. If you want to spray them, the 311 tip is the perfect size for this application. Don’t forget that it works well with water-based enamel or satin finish paints.

What is a 311 spray tip used for?

The 311 spray tip is used for a variety of coating applications such as exterior paints and lacquers. Particularly, it is good for narrow surfaces such as decks, fences, and furniture. However, you can also apply them on thinner material, i.e. water sealers, semi-transparent stains, and polyurethanes.

What is a 315 spray tip used for?

The 315 spray tip size is useful for multiple medium material applications such as latex, primers, interior/exterior painting, enamels, or solid satins. With this tip size, the paint or material is less waste and applied quickly.

What do the numbers mean on a paint sprayer tip?

There are usually three numbers for the tip. The first number tells you that half of the fan width means how much distance you need to paint. The two digits at the end defines the size of tip as 1000th time of an inch.

what is a 515 spray tip used for?

A 515 tip has a 15-thousandths of an inch orifice and a 10-inch fan. Combining the fan width and orifice size determines the spraying thickness. Similarly, a 517 and 317 tip have a 17 thousandths of an inch orifice size.

The range of sizes for latex paint is from 0.015 to 0.019 inches.

Oil-based paint ranges from 0.013 to 0.015 inches.

What is a 517 spray tip used for?

A variety of coatings can be sprayed with reversible RAC IV Switch Tips, from stains and lacquers to exterior paints. The Reverse-A-Clean (RAC) feature enables you to rapidly clear tip clogs by simply turning the tip and spraying the product in the reverse direction. There is a 10 inch diameter spray pattern for larger surfaces, like buildings, walls, and ceilings.

Final Verdict On Spray Gun Tip Size Chart

With the advancement of technology, spray guns also have become smart and versatile. You can use them for almost any type of painting job quickly and easily. Not to mention, the selection of the right HVLP nozzle and other aspects are important to get an excellent finish of your painting project. I have shared each and everything that is necessary to know the spray tip and also the chart. Hopefully you can use this guide to select the right spray gun tips.