Paint Sprayer Tip Size Chart
Choosing the right tip size for your paint sprayer is important and will affect the overall efficiency of the paint job you are undertaking. There are several different sizes to consider depending on the job and the type of material that you are using.
The most common tip sizes range from nine inches to thirty-nine inches. The tip size that you need to use will depend largely on the type of material that you are planning on using in your paint sprayer. The thicker and heavier your material is, the larger your paint sprayer tip will need to be.
This guide will provide you will all of the information that you need to properly size your paint sprayer tip. This will allow you to efficiently complete any job using any material that you wish. As previously mentioned, you should properly size your paint sprayer tip before starting a job.
This will help you avoid damaging your paint sprayer or encountering spray issues with your device.
Paint Sprayer Tip Sizing Factors
The main sizing factors of a paint sprayer tip are the three-digit ID number, the tip orifice size, and the tip size specifications. All paint sprayer tips are identified by a three-digit number that specifies their dimensions.
You can measure your paint sprayer tip’s spray width by using the three-digit ID number. To do this, you must take the first number of the ID number and multiply it by two. For example, if your tip has an ID number of 415, then your paint sprayer tip will have a spray width of 8 inches.
The last two digits of this ID number indicate the size of the tip orifice in thousandths of an inch. The tip orifice is responsible for the final atomization of the material that you are using in your paint sprayer. The ID number is an extremely useful resource for identifying different-sized spray tips.
Both of these factors will influence the overall tip size. The larger the orifice of your paint sprayer tip, the more material you will be able to spray at one time. You should ensure that you identify the paint sprayer tip ID number when purchasing.
This will ensure that you are purchasing the proper size tip for your job. Choosing the wrong size can cause damage to your paint sprayer as well as an inefficient paint flow from your sprayer. As previously mentioned, the ID number that is printed on all paint sprayer tips can be a useful resource.
Paint Sprayer Tip Size Table
As previously mentioned, the common paint sprayer tip sizes range from 9 inches to 39 inches. The size that you need will depend on the job and material that you are planning on using. It is important that you size your tip properly for the type of material that you are using.
The table below will break down the different sizes that are appropriate for certain materials and thicknesses. Materials that fall into the thinner category are clear coat lacquer and varnishes. Slightly thicker materials would consist of clear acrylics, oil-based paints and enamels, and primers.
Finally, the thickest category of materials consists of heavy latex, block fillers, and elastomeric. The type of material that you are using is the biggest factor in deciding what paint sprayer tip you need. This table will break down the different sizes you should consider for certain materials.
If you are still unsure about what paint sprayer tip size is appropriate for your material, you should check the packaging of your material and see if the manufacturer has provided any tip size recommendations.
| Material | Recommended Paint Sprayer Tip Size (in inches) | Thickness Of Material |
| Clear Coat Lacquer | 9 – 11 | Thinnest |
| Varnish | 9 – 11 | Thinnest |
| Shellac | 11 | Thinnest |
| Transparent Stain | 10 – 13 | Thinnest |
| Water Sealers | 11 – 13 | Thinnest |
| Water Lacquer | 12 – 14 | Thicker |
| Clear Acrylic | 13 – 15 | Thicker |
| Latex | 13 – 15 | Thicker |
| Oil Enamels | 14 – 16 | Thicker |
| Polyurethane | 15 – 17 | Thicker |
| Solid Stain | 15 – 17 | Thicker |
| Low VOC Varnish | 15 – 17 | Thicker |
| Interior Latex | 17 – 19 | Thicker |
| Primer Latex | 17 – 19 | Thicker |
| Exterior Latex | 17 – 19 | Thicker |
| Primer Oils | 17 – 19 | Thicker |
| Elastomeric | 22 – 24 | Thickest |
| Heavy Latex | 23 – 25 | Thickest |
| Elastomeric (Smooth) | 25 – 27 | Thickest |
| Block Fillers | 27 – 29 | Thickest |
| Intumescent | 29 – 39 | Thickest |
How To Choose The Right Paint Sprayer Tip
To choose the right paint sprayer tip, you will need to figure out what tip is best for the material that you are planning on using to spray. For a job using thinner materials like clear lacquer or vinyl, you will likely do well using a smaller 9 to 11-inch spray tip.
Using a smaller spray tip with thinner materials will allow you to spray with much greater precision than if you used one that had a larger opening. For thicker materials like latex or oil-based enamels, you should consider using a slightly larger paint sprayer tip.
Typically, for materials of medium thickness, a paint sprayer tip size of 12 to 19 inches will be best suited for your job. This will allow you to have a good flow through your paint sprayer. If you use a tip that is too small with thicker materials, you will run into flow issues and possibly damage your paint sprayer.
Finally, for thicker materials like elastomeric, block fillers, and intumescent, you will need to consider using a much larger tip. For these thickest types of material, you should consider using a tip size of 22 to 39 inches.
Many of the materials that you can purchase for your paint sprayer will provide recommendations for the proper paint sprayer tip. This can be useful information if you are having trouble properly sizing the tip you need for the job.
You should also consider the tip size specifications for your paint sprayer. You can find information about the recommended tip size for your paint sprayer in the user manual. This can help ensure that you are choosing the proper tip size for your device.
Paint Sprayer Tip Cost
You can purchase a quality paint sprayer tip for around $35. The total cost of your paint sprayer tip will depend on the brand, size, and choice of vendor. The higher the quality paint sprayer tip that you purchase, the longer that it will last.
You can save money on your paint sprayer tip by purchasing online. The table below contains many of the most popular vendors and their prices for paint sprayer tips. You can use this information to ensure that you are getting the best deal on your paint sprayer tip.
| Vendor | Avg. Paint Sprayer Tip Cost |
| Walmart | $27 |
| Amazon | $32 |
| Home Depot | $35 |
| Lowes | $30 |
| Harbor Freight | $28 |
When To Replace Paint Sprayer Tip
You should replace your paint sprayer tip when it starts to show signs of serious wear. Because of the amount of pressure and material that is regularly passed through paint sprayer tips, it is not uncommon to have to replace them a few times during your paint sprayer’s lifespan.
Newer paint sprayer tips have a soft, thin, coated edge around the spray fan. When the tip begins to suffer from wear, the soft edge will become much more defined and you will find that you have much less fan size to work with.
This will cause you to need to use more material for less coverage area. It will also cause you to have a much more uneven spray pattern. These issues can lead to unsatisfactory performance and results from your paint sprayer.
You should replace your paint sprayer tip as soon as you begin to notice issues. This will save you money on materials in the long run. It will also save you a headache and the potential risk of running into issues while active on a job.
Signs of a damaged or faulty paint sprayer tip are weak flow, inconsistent flow, diminishing spray area, and uneven spray pattern. If you notice that your paint sprayer is exhibiting any of these issues, you should consider replacing it as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts
This guide has provided you with all of the information that you need to properly size your paint sprayer tip. As previously mentioned, choosing the right paint sprayer tip is extremely important for the overall efficiency of the job you are undertaking.
If you choose the wrong paint sprayer tip size, you could risk damaging your paint sprayer and encountering flow issues with the material you are using. The information in this guide can help you avoid these issues by purchasing the proper tip size.
You should consider the type of material that you are going to be using when picking out the proper paint sprayer tip size for your job. Thicker materials will require a much larger tip size than thinner materials. You should also consider the size of the job and the specifications of your paint sprayer before choosing a paint sprayer tip size. All of these factors combined will heavily influence the overall efficiency of your job.
