how to chose the right airless spray tip size for your paint material

Choose an airless spray tip in three steps: check the coating’s permitted orifice, confirm the sprayer can support it, then choose a fan width for the surface. A material chart helps narrow the choice, but it cannot replace the actual paint data sheet.

Read a conventional three-digit tip code

On many tip series, the last two digits represent the opening in thousandths of an inch. Thus, 515 has a 0.015-inch orifice and 517 has a 0.017-inch orifice. The first digit indicates nominal fan width under the tip manufacturer’s test conditions; multiplying it by two commonly gives an approximate width in inches at about 12 inches from the work.

A 515 and 615 have the same nominal opening but different fan widths. A 515 and 517 have similar nominal fan widths but different flow demands. Confirm the coding and rated pressure of the actual tip series.

Start with the coating—not the surface name alone

Codes such as 515 and 517 are common wall-paint examples, not a promise that either suits every latex paint. Likewise, no universal large-tip threshold makes all plaster or fireproofing materials airless-sprayable.

Here below is the guide covering all our DP airless spray tip sizes (0.011″ to 0.055″+), corresponding fan widths, suitable coating materials, and recommended filter mesh sizes:Airless Spray Tip & Coating Selection Chart

Additional Key Concepts

1. Fan Width Calculation Rule:
   • The first digit of a tip designation represents half of the spray angle (e.g., in a 517 tip, the first digit is 5, representing a 50° spray angle).
   • At a standard spraying distance of 30 cm (12 inches):
     • In Metric: First Digit × 5 = Fan width in centimeters (e.g., 5 × 5 = 25 cm).
     • In Imperial: First Digit × 2 = Fan width in inches (e.g., 5 × 2 = 10 inches).
2. Filter Mesh Rule of Thumb:
   • Smaller Tip Orifices (Thinner Paints): Require higher mesh numbers (finer screens) to trap small particles and prevent fine tip clogging.
   • Larger Tip Orifices (Thicker/Heavy Materials): Require lower mesh numbers or complete removal of filters to allow aggregate particles and thick material to flow freely without blocking the system.

Check pump demand and tip wear

The required opening must fall within the machine’s capability with your material and hose configuration. Maximum free-flow output does not establish working delivery. A worn tip can increase demand and narrow the fan, even though the code engraved on it is unchanged.

When should you consider a fine-finish tip?

A suitable fine-finish or low-pressure tip can help control atomisation and finish with approved coatings. Compare the DP-637FF fine-finish tip with the Model T conventional tip specifications. Do not assume the same pressure suits all fluids or that colour alone establishes compatibility with a guard.

Test and record your setup

Use a test panel, begin within the recommended pressure range and find the lowest effective setting. Check pattern, finish and film thickness. Record the tip, material, pressure and hose arrangement for repeat jobs. Relieve pressure before removing or servicing the tip.

Related guides

• what’s the output volume for our airless tips
• How do you know when to replace spray tip?
• Why do I get streaks or bands in my spray pattern

Set the pressure after choosing the tip

Once you have selected a suitable tip, follow our guide to adjust paint flow and spray pressure on an airless paint sprayer. It explains how to test the fan pattern and distinguish tip-size problems from pressure or application-technique problems.