An airless paint sprayer use a specific nozzle tip to allow the paint to be released from the sprayer. The size of the nozzle tip are one of the critical factors that determines the quality of the paint spray job. The size of the nozzle tip determines the diameter of the orifice (opening) through which the paint will exit the sprayer.
The number stamped onto the nozzle tip indicate the diameter of the orifice in thousandths of an inch. Using a nozzle tip that is too small for the type of paint will lead to the paint clogging the nozzle tip, which will cause the airless sprayer to spit clumps of paint. Using a nozzle tip that is too large for the paint will cause the paint to run and drip off the paint surface due to the high volume of paint exiting the nozzle tip at once.
Pick the Right Nozzle Tip for Your Airless Paint Sprayer
The thickness of the paint, or the viscosity of the paint, will dictate which nozzle tip must be used for that type of paint. Water-based latex paints are the most common type of paint for interior wall, and the recommended nozzle tip for latex paints is usually a medium sized nozzle tip, such as one with a.021 orifice. Other types of paint that have a different viscosity than latex paint will require another type of nozzle tip to be used with those paints.
For example, paints that are thick and use for exterior surfaces require nozzle tips that are larger in size than those used for interior walls. It is always necessary to strain the paint prior to adding it to the airless paint sprayer to ensure that any dried fleck of paint that may be present in the paint container wont clog the nozzle tip. The shape of the nozzle tip will dictate the spray pattern that the paint will make when sprayed from the airless paint sprayer.
Nozzles with a full fan spray pattern will spray the paint even across a wide area of the surface being painted. Full fan nozzle tips are used for painting flat wall. Paint sprays with an elliptical pattern will deposit more paint into the center of the spray, which is beneficial for painting job like siding, where runs are to be avoided.
Narrow vertical spray patterns are used for applying paint to textured stucco surfaces. Each type of paint requires that its nozzle tip match the type of surface that it will be spraying. For instance, smooth trim require the use of a nozzle tip that creates a fine mist to avoid an “orange peel” texture on the painted trim, while porous masonry require a broader spray pattern from the nozzle tip so that the paint does not dry too quickly on the absorbent masonry.
The PSI (pounds per square inch) settings for the airless paint sprayer should be adjusted according to the nozzle tip that is chosen. Airless sprayers typically has PSI setting between 2000 and 2500 PSI. Using a nozzle tip with a small orifice with very high PSI settings will result in a dry and sandy textured finish with the paint.
Using a nozzle tip with a larger orifice with very low PSI settings will result in the paint create “runs” on the painted surface due to the insufficient PSI to properly atomize the paint. Always spray a test pattern of paint on a piece of cardboard prior to beginning to paint a wall with the airless sprayer. Testing the paint pattern will allow to determine whether the paint pattern created is even.
When painting a wall, ensure that each pass of the paint sprayer is overlapped by half of the width of the spray pattern to avoid leaving mark on the wall where the paint did not pass over that section. Finally, it is necessary to perform some maintenance on the nozzle tip after each painting job. The nozzle tip must be cleaned immediately after painting is completed with latex paint.
Latex paint tends to skin over the nozzle tip if it is not cleaned immediately after painting. To clean the nozzle tip, use a nylon brush. Do not use a wire brush as this will gouge the metal of the nozzle tip.
The gouging of the nozzle tip will cause it not to atomize the paint properly. Performing these steps will result in the airless paint sprayer create a smooth and even finish.
