Blog 1: Mastering Airless Paint Sprayer Tips – The Ultimate Guide for Aussie Painters

When it comes to achieving that flawless finish with an airless paint sprayer, the secret lies in one tiny but mighty component — the spray tip. Whether you're a professional painter or a DIY enthusiast tackling your next home project, understanding airless spray tips can make or break your paint job.

In this comprehensive guide, we break down everything you need to know about airless paint sprayer tips in Australia — what they are, how to choose the right one, which brands offer the best options, and how to use and maintain them for long-term results. By the end of this post, you'll be ready to level up your painting game with confidence.

What Is an Airless Paint Sprayer Tip?

An airless sprayer tip — also called a spray nozzle — controls how much paint comes out and how wide it sprays. It's like the paintbrush of the sprayer world. Different tips create different fan widths and paint thickness, so matching the right one to your job is key. The tip is seated at the front of the spray gun and regulates the pressure and spray pattern.

Tips are designed with different coatings in mind — water-based acrylics, oil-based enamels, primers, stains, lacquers, and elastomerics all have recommended ranges. If you choose the wrong size, your finish may be blotchy, the paint might clog, or you may waste product. Professional painters in Australia recommend that you learn your tips like a chef knows their knives.

Decoding the Numbers: What Do They Mean?

Spray tips are labeled with three-digit numbers. For example, a 515 tip means:

  • The first digit (5) multiplied by 2 equals the fan width in inches (so 10 inches wide)

  • The last two digits (15) are the size of the orifice — the hole where paint comes out — in thousandths of an inch (so 0.015")

Understanding this numbering helps you decode what kind of spray you’re going to get. A wider fan is great for covering large, flat areas like walls, while a narrower fan is better for precision work like trim and cabinetry.

Popular Tip Sizes and Their Best Uses

Here's a detailed breakdown of common spray tip sizes and when to use them:

  • 211 / 311 – Thin materials, like stains and sealers. Ideal for furniture, cabinets, and narrow trim.

  • 413 / 415 / 417 – Great for interior walls using latex paint. Moderate control, decent coverage.

  • 515 / 517 / 519 – Most common for ceilings, walls, fences. Balanced fan and paint flow.

  • 619 / 621 – Heavier coatings and larger surfaces like exteriors, stucco, and concrete walls.

Spray tip guides from Graco, QTech, and Titan help you match tip numbers to the task at hand. Always refer to the paint manufacturer’s recommendations as well.

Fan Width vs Orifice Size: Why Both Matter

Let’s say you want to spray an interior wall with a medium-viscosity acrylic. A 517 tip gives you a 10-inch fan (great for coverage) and a 0.017" orifice (perfect for most standard wall paints). But if you used a 317, you’d get a 6-inch fan — less coverage per pass, but potentially more control.

Fan width determines how wide the paint is spread; orifice size determines how much paint comes out. The right combination gives you both control and efficiency.

The Best Spray Tip Brands in Australia

There are a few standout brands dominating the market when it comes to airless spray tips:

  • Graco RAC X FFLP (Fine Finish Low Pressure)

    • Designed to operate at lower PSI, reducing overspray.

    • Ideal for fine finishes on doors, cabinets, and trim.

    • Reversible for easy unclogging.

  • QTech Fine Finish Tips

    • Loved by Aussie painters for their accuracy.

    • Available in a wide range of sizes.

    • Compatible with most standard sprayers.

  • Titan TR1 and SC-6+ Tips

    • Durable and high-performance.

    • Suited for heavy-duty contractors.

Each brand offers its own tip guards and accessories. It’s essential to use matching guards to ensure safety and proper fit.

How to Maintain and Replace Spray Tips

Tips wear out over time. As the orifice enlarges with use, the spray pattern becomes less precise and the amount of paint used increases. This can cost you time and money.

Signs of Tip Wear:

  • Uneven fan pattern

  • Overspray

  • Paint misting or spitting

  • Slower application

Replacement frequency:

  • Thin stains: replace every 40–50 litres

  • Wall paints: replace every 90–100 litres

  • Heavy coatings: replace every 140–150 litres

Keep spare tips in your toolbox, and always clean tips after use with water (for water-based paints) or appropriate solvent.

Safety Tips When Using Spray Tips

  • Always relieve system pressure before changing tips.

  • Never point the spray gun at yourself or others.

  • Use gloves and eye protection.

  • Test spray before each use to ensure correct flow and pattern.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

  1. Using the wrong tip for the job – Read the paint can and match the viscosity.

  2. Not checking wear regularly – Leads to uneven finishes.

  3. Incorrect spray distance – Stay 25–30cm from the surface.

  4. Spraying too fast or too slow – Results in uneven coverage.

Real-World Example: Repainting a Weatherboard Home

Let’s say you’re repainting a 3-bedroom weatherboard home in Melbourne. You’re using a mid-viscosity exterior acrylic. A 517 or 619 Graco FFLP tip will provide fast coverage without clogging, and its low-pressure design means less mess and less waste.

With a 517, you can achieve full coverage while reducing fatigue, overspray, and time spent taping off windows. Switching to a 311 for the trim ensures crisp detail without switching tools.

Where to Buy Spray Tips in Australia

You can find top-quality tips from suppliers like:

  • PaintAccess.com.au (for Graco, QTech, Titan)

  • Bunnings (for entry-level Wagner gear)

  • Trade paint stores in your local area

Buy from verified retailers to ensure genuine parts and warranty coverage.

Conclusion: Tips Are the Secret Weapon of Any Pro Painter

Whether you're spraying your first wall or running a painting business, mastering spray tip selection is a non-negotiable skill. Understanding tip size, fan width, coating compatibility, and wear indicators ensures every job looks clean, even, and professional.

Next time you're browsing your paint sprayer setup, take a few extra minutes to choose the right tip. Your results — and your clients — will thank you.

Want more? Stay tuned for our next in-depth blog: How to Choose the Right Airless Spray Tip for the Job.