Technical Foundation
What Is a Airless Spray Tips and Tip Guard?
Airless spray tip size is expressed as a three-digit (or five-digit) number where the first digit(s), doubled, give the fan pattern width in inches at a standard spray distance, and the last two digits give the orifice diameter in thousandths of an inch — a 517 tip sprays roughly a 10-inch fan pattern through a 0.017in orifice. Orifice size is the primary control on material flow rate and is matched to coating viscosity: thinner coatings like stains use smaller orifices, while heavy-bodied coatings like block fillers need a larger orifice to atomize properly without clogging.
Reversible tips let the operator rotate the tip 180 degrees to quickly clear a clog without disassembling the gun, now standard on most professional tips. Tip guards are a required safety accessory — airless spray systems operate at pressures high enough (often 2000-3000+ PSI) to inject paint through skin, and the guard both shields the operator's hand from the spray stream and helps trigger the gun's safety lock when not actively spraying.
Prefer a quick quote?
Get Airless Spray Tips and Tip Guards Pricing in Your Inbox
Skip the search — tell us the coating type, surface being sprayed and sprayer PSI rating and we will come back with pricing.
| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Orifice Size | Expressed in thousandths of an inch (e.g. .017) | Controls material flow rate — matched to coating viscosity and desired coverage rate |
| Fan Width | Encoded in the tip number, e.g. 5 in "517" = 10in fan | Determines spray pattern width at standard distance; must suit the surface and technique |
| Thread/Seat Type | Standard vs. reversible tip housing thread | Must match the spray gun's tip guard and seat thread pattern for a secure connection |
| Reversibility | Reversible (RAC-style) vs. fixed orientation | Reversible tips clear clogs quickly by rotating 180° without disassembly |
| Guard Rating | Pressure rating matched to sprayer's max output PSI | Guard must be rated for and installed at the sprayer's operating pressure for injection protection |
Shop Airless Spray Tips and Tip Guards
Browse Airless Spray Tips and Tip Guards Sub-Categories
Organised by tip pattern and function. Pick a sub-category, or describe the coating and surface you're spraying and let ChatMRO match the right tip.
How it works
From Half-Remembered Part Number to PO, in Three Steps.
Ask
Type an MPN, paste a spec sheet, or describe the part in plain English. ChatMRO understands engineer-speak.
Compare
Side-by-side specs, cross-references, and equivalents from multiple sources — without the clutter of endless browser tabs.
Quote & Buy
Request a quote or add to cart. Volume discounts, VAT-aware pricing, and consolidated procurement — all in one place.
Applications
Where Airless Spray Tips and Tip Guards Get Used
Spray tips are matched to coating viscosity and surface type across residential, commercial and industrial airless spraying applications.
Residential & Commercial Painting
Standard and fine finish tips for interior/exterior wall, trim and cabinetry coating applications.
Industrial Coatings & Protective Finishes
Wide fan and large orifice tips for heavy-bodied protective coatings on structural steel and equipment.
Fine Woodworking & Cabinet Finishing
Fine finish low-orifice tips producing a smoother atomized finish for stains, lacquers and clear coats.
Fence, Deck & Exterior Siding Coating
Wide fan tips maximizing coverage rate for large exterior surface areas like siding and fencing.
Marine & Heavy Equipment Coating
High-orifice tips rated for heavy marine paints and block fillers requiring higher material flow.
FAQ
Airless Spray Tips and Tip Guards Questions, Answered
How do I read an airless spray tip size number?
A three-digit tip number like 517 breaks down as: the first digit doubled gives the fan width in inches at standard spray distance (5 x 2 = 10in fan), and the last two digits give the orifice diameter in thousandths of an inch (.017in). Five-digit tips work the same way with a two-digit fan width prefix.
What orifice size should I use for my coating?
Thinner materials like stains and clear finishes need a smaller orifice (around .009-.013in) to atomize properly without over-applying, while thicker materials like exterior latex or block fillers need a larger orifice (.017in and up) to flow without clogging. Manufacturers publish orifice size charts cross-referenced to common coating types as a starting point.
Why is my sprayer producing a distorted or tailing spray pattern?
A worn or clogged tip is the most common cause — as the orifice wears from use, the fan pattern loses its clean edge definition and can develop tails or heavy edges. Reversible tips let you quickly rotate 180° to blow out a clog; persistent pattern distortion after clearing a clog usually means the tip has worn past its useful life and needs replacing.
Is a tip guard actually necessary, or just an accessory?
A tip guard is a critical safety component, not optional — airless sprayers operate at pressures high enough to inject paint through skin and cause serious injury, and the guard both physically shields the operator's hand from the spray stream and often integrates the gun's trigger safety lock mechanism.
Can I use any tip with any spray gun?
Tips must match the gun's tip guard and seat thread pattern to seal and mount correctly — most professional airless tips follow a common RAC-style thread standard, but always confirm compatibility with your specific gun and guard before ordering, especially across different manufacturers.
Keep browsing
Related Categories
Explore More
Find Your Next Part Now.
Describe a part number, spec or what it does.