Airless Paint Sprayer Pressure & Tip Sizing
Answers on choosing spray tip sizes, adjusting PSI pressure, and thinning latex wall paint for an airless sprayer.
VEVOR Stand Airless Paint Sprayer, 650W, 3000PSI High Pressure Airless Sprayer with Cart, Cleaning Brush, Hose, Extension Rod, Nozzles, Electric Spray Paint Machine for House Exterior and Interior
VEVOR
Airless sprayers push paint through a small orifice at extreme pressure — no compressed air, no brush marks, and far faster coverage than a roller. But the two settings people get wrong are tip size and pressure, and both show up immediately as runs, orange peel, or a clogged gun. Here are the answers that fix most sprayer problems.
A stand-style airless sprayer is the tool that makes tip and pressure settings matter.
VEVOR Stand Airless Paint Sprayer, 650W, 3000PSI High Pressure Airless Sprayer with Cart, Cleaning Brush, Hose, Extension Rod, Nozzles, Electric Spray Paint Machine for House Exterior and Interior
VEVOR
- Efficient Coating: The 650W motor, 0.31 GPM flow, and 3000 PSI pressure deliver spraying speeds 5x faster than rollers a…
- Ideal Coating Finish: Premium nozzle ensures precise control and minimizes overspray. Our airless paint sprayer includes…
- Effortless Cleaning & Maintenance: This spray paint machine includes a cleaning brush for simple upkeep. Detachable pump…
- Convenient Design: The wheeled base of the airless sprayer ensures smooth mobility, while the pole reaches high and low…
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I read an airless spray tip number?
A: The three digits tell you the fan width and orifice size. In a tip like 517, the first digit (“5”) is half the fan width in inches (so a 10-inch fan), and the last two (“17”) are the orifice size in thousandths of an inch (0.017“). Bigger orifice = more paint flow.
Q: What tip size should I use for latex wall paint?
A: A 515 or 517 tip is the standard for interior latex. The 0.015–0.017-inch orifice flows enough thick latex to cover a 10-inch fan without clogging. Thinner materials like stains and sealers use smaller orifices (0.011–0.013).
Q: What PSI should I run an airless sprayer at?
A: Start low and work up. Most airless units spray latex well around 1,500–2,000 PSI. Too low produces a coarse, spitting edge; too high causes overspray, runs, and premature tip wear. The right pressure is the lowest setting that gives a clean, even fan.
Q: Do I need to thin latex paint for an airless sprayer?
A: Usually not — airless sprayers are designed for full-bodied latex. If you’re getting an uneven pattern or clogging, thin with no more than about 10% water, and only after confirming your sprayer and tip are rated for unthinned paint.
Q: Why is my sprayer leaving runs and sagging?
A: Too much pressure, too slow a pass, or holding the gun too close. Back the pressure down, move the gun faster, and keep the tip about 12 inches from the surface with the gun perpendicular to the wall.
Q: How do I keep the tip from clogging?
A: Strain the paint before pouring it in, and reverse the tip to blow out clogs the moment the pattern starts to spit. Letting a clog build up forces you to stop and clean the gun mid-job.
