Using a paint spray gun is one of the fastest ways to achieve a superior finish – but it’s important to ensure your equipment is in top working order. While it may appear to be a small part of your machine, the spray gun tip or nozzle plays an essential role in delivering a smooth, professional result. So, if you notice a change in paint coverage, it’s worth checking whether it is still fit for use.
Typically, a paint sprayer tip will last around 300-600 litres of use. However, this depends on a range of factors, including:
The abrasiveness of the products most often used
The pressure settings most often used
How regularly and how well the tip is cleaned
It's worth noting that abrasive products such as ceiling flats can wear your spray gun tips out significantly faster than other types of paint.
To test whether it’s time for a replacement, simply spray for one second on a spare piece of cardboard and look at the shape.
If the spray shape is long and gives a nice, even fan, your tip suitable to continue working with. However, if the fan shape becomes shorter and appears more oval or round, it could be time to upgrade.
By regularly replacing your paint spray gun tip, you will achieve a cleaner finish while avoiding things like runs, splutters and streaks.
This can also help to save you from wasting paint, and ultimately support you to save you time and money.
While products like liquid sandpaper and those with a higher viscosity are likely to wear paint spray gun tips out faster than other types of paint, there are a few simple ways to extend the lifespan of your tip:
Thoroughly clean your tip with a soft brush and dry with a cloth after each day of use
Spray with the lowest amount of pressure required to achieve the desired coverage
Avoid spraying too close to the project you are working on
