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How to Choose the Right Airless Sprayer Tip?

When it comes to painting projects, whether it's a homeowners or a professional job, using a paint sprayer can save a lot of time and effort. However, one of the most crucial decisions you'll need to make is choosing the right paint sprayer tip. The tip you select can greatly impact the quality of the finish and the efficiency of the painting process.There are numerous factors to consider, ranging from understanding the the type of coating you’ll be spraying to selecting the right tip size and beyond. In light of this, knowing how to read tip sizes serves as an excellent starting point.

Spray Tip Sizes:

Paint sprayer tips all have size numbers that denote two specific factors--fan width and orifice size. Size numbers consist of three digits, and understanding what each digit means is key to choosing the right tip for the job.

Le’s use a 517 tip as an example:
The initial digit in an airless sprayer tip number denotes the spray angle. For instance, a 517 tip has a spray angle of 50 degrees, as the first digit 5 signifies this angle. Similarly, a 417 tip corresponds to a 40-degree spray angle, and a 317 tip indicates a 30-degree spray angle.

Moreover, the first digit is also used to calculate the fan width, which is the breadth of the spray coverage when the gun is held perpendicular to the surface at a distance of 12 inches (30 cm). To determine this value, you simply multiply the first digit by 2 for the imperial system or by 5 for the metric system. Taking our example, the fan width for a tip with the first digit 5 would be 5 multiplied by 2, resulting in a fan width of 10 inches, or 5 multiplied by 5, giving a fan width of 25 cm. Consequently, a 417 tip would have a fan width of 4 multiplied by 2, which equals 8 inches, or 4 multiplied by 5, equaling 20 cm.
The second and third numbers are read together, unlike the first. They indicate the diameter of the hole in the tip through which the paint flows.Continuing with the previous example of the 517 tip, “17” is 0.017 inches. You can also convert inches to centimeters, if desired, by multiplying the hole diameter by 2.54 so that 0.017 inches becomes 0.0432 cm.

By knowing the orifice size and the fan-width, we can determine how thick of a coating we will spray.
Let's compare a 517 tip and a 317 tip as an example. Both of these tips have an orifice size of 0.017 inches, but they have different fan widths.The 517 tip produces a 10 - inch - wide spray fan, whereas the 317 tip creates a 6 - inch - wide spray fan.Given that the same volume of paint exits the orifice, the 517 tip will apply a thinner coating.

Choosing a Tip Size:

When selecting an airless sprayer tip, both the spraying area and the composition of the coating play crucial roles.
For large areas such as walls and ceilings, a wider fan width is preferable. A tip with a larger first digit in its numbering system, like a 515 tip (which has a 10 - inch fan width in the imperial system), can cover more surface in less time. This is because the wider fan width allows for a broader spray pattern, making it efficient for painting expansive surfaces.
On the other hand, for smaller or more detailed areas like trim work or furniture, a narrower fan width is more suitable. A tip with a smaller first digit, such as a 315 tip (which has a 6 - inch fan width in the imperial system), provides a more focused spray pattern. This allows for greater precision and control, ensuring that the coating is applied evenly and accurately to smaller surfaces.
The composition of the coating also affects tip selection. Thinner coatings, like stains or sealers, require smaller orifice sizes (e.g., 0.009 to 0.013 inches) to prevent clogging and ensure a fine finish. Thicker coatings, such as heavy latex paints or primers, need larger orifice sizes (e.g., 0.021 to 0.035 inches) to allow for proper flow and atomization.
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