SPRAYERSANDPARTS • SPRAY EQUIPMENT GUIDE
Choose, Maintain & Buy the Right Spray Gun
Compare airless, HVLP, conventional air, air-assisted and electrostatic spray-gun technologies. Learn how spray guns work, understand key components, troubleshoot common problems, and find genuine Graco spray guns and OEM replacement parts.
Airless HVLP Air-Assisted Spray Tips Gun Repair Parts Genuine Graco OEM
Spray Gun Guide
Jump directly to the information you need.
Spray Gun Basics
What Is a Spray Gun?
A spray gun controls the application of paint, stain, lacquer, primer and other coatings onto a surface. Depending on the technology, coating may be atomized by pressurized fluid, compressed air, or a combination of fluid pressure and assisting air.
The correct spray gun depends on the coating, sprayer, working pressure, required finish and production rate. A contractor coating large walls may need a very different setup from a finisher spraying cabinets, furniture or detailed trim.
Compare Spray Technologies
What Are the Main Types of Spray Guns?
Different spray technologies are designed around different atomization methods. Understanding the basic differences helps you select equipment that matches the coating, finish and production requirements.
01 • HIGH PRODUCTION
Airless Spray Guns
Pressurized fluid atomization for productive residential, commercial and professional coating applications.
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02 • FINE FINISH
HVLP Spray Guns
High Volume, Low Pressure atomization for controlled finishing on cabinets, furniture, doors and trim.
03 • ATOMIZATION
Conventional Air
Compressed air atomizes the coating for professional finishing where controlled atomization is important.
04 • BALANCED FINISH
Air-Assisted Airless
Combines hydraulic atomization with assisting air for a balance of production capability and finish quality.
05 • INDUSTRIAL
Electrostatic Guns
Electrically charges coating for specialized professional and industrial finishing applications.
Airless vs. HVLP Spray Guns
Both technologies are useful, but they serve different application priorities.
| Feature |
Airless |
HVLP |
| Atomization |
Pressurized fluid through a spray tip |
High-volume, low-pressure air |
| Production |
Generally high |
Generally more finish-focused |
| Typical Work |
Walls, exteriors and production painting |
Cabinets, furniture, doors and trim |
| Primary Strength |
Productivity and coating delivery |
Control and fine finishing |
Buying tip: Choose according to the coating, surface, production requirement and desired finish—not simply which technology has the higher pressure.
Understanding the Parts of a Spray Gun
Knowing the major components makes troubleshooting and replacement-part identification much easier.
Spray Tip Controls important aspects of material delivery and spray-pattern formation on airless equipment.
Tip Guard Positions the tip and forms an important part of the gun's safety configuration.
Trigger Controls the start and stop of coating delivery.
Gun Filter Captures debris before it reaches the spray tip and helps reduce clogging.
Needle / Valve / Seat Helps control fluid shutoff on applicable gun designs.
Air Cap Used on air, HVLP and air-assisted systems for atomization and pattern control.
Why Airless Spray Tip Selection Matters
On an airless system, the spray tip affects material flow and spray-pattern characteristics. Tip selection should account for the coating manufacturer's recommendations, desired fan width, required orifice size and the output capability of the sprayer.
Coating Check the coating manufacturer's recommended tip range.
Orifice Size Match the material requirement without exceeding sprayer capacity.
Fan Width Choose according to the surface and desired coverage.
When Is an Airless Spray Tip Worn?
Spray tips are wear components. As coating repeatedly passes through the tip, the orifice gradually wears and spray performance can change.
Poor pattern definition Increased overspray Uneven application Higher paint consumption
How to Choose the Right Spray Gun
Use these six checks before ordering a complete gun or changing gun technology.
1. Identify the Technology Airless, HVLP, conventional air, air-assisted or electrostatic.
2. Check the Coating Consider material type, viscosity and coating recommendations.
3. Verify Pressure The gun and pressure-bearing components must be appropriately rated.
4. Consider the Finish Production wall painting and cabinet finishing have different requirements.
5. Verify Connections Check hose, gun inlet, tip, guard and accessory compatibility.
6. Confirm the Part Number Use the exact OEM gun or equipment part number whenever possible.
Genuine Graco OEM
Featured Graco Spray Guns
Compare popular Graco airless spray guns. Click the product image, name or button to view the product page and current ordering information.
Genuine Graco OEM • 17Y042
Contractor PC gun with RAC X 517 platform, ProConnect serviceability and a 3,600 PSI maximum working pressure.
View 17Y042 →
Genuine Graco OEM • 288420
Professional 2-finger Contractor gun supplied with a RAC X 517 SwitchTip and guard; rated to 3,600 PSI.
View 288420 →
Genuine Graco OEM • 243011
Metal SG2 airless spray gun used with compatible Graco Magnum equipment, including X5 and X7 applications.
View 243011 →
Genuine Graco OEM • 235462
Professional Silver Plus fine-finish airless configuration with 2-finger trigger and a 5,000 PSI maximum working pressure.
View 235462 →
Need Another Graco Spray Gun?
Browse genuine Graco spray guns, tips, guards, filters and related accessories for professional and Magnum equipment.
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Common Spray Gun Problems & What to Inspect
A poor spray pattern does not automatically mean the complete gun needs replacement. Start with the symptom and inspect the components most likely to affect it.
| Symptom |
Inspect |
What to Check |
| Poor spray pattern |
Tip, pressure, coating, filters |
Wear, restriction and setup |
| Gun will not spray |
Tip, filter, material supply |
Obstruction or supply problem |
| Gun leaks |
Needle, valve, seat, seals |
Worn service components |
| Spray tails |
Pressure, tip, coating, filter |
Atomization conditions |
| Poor shutoff |
Trigger, needle, valve, seat |
Internal gun wear |
| Frequent tip clogging |
Filter, tip, coating |
Filtration and contamination |
Repair the Spray Gun or Replace It?
Many professional spray guns are serviceable. A worn internal component does not necessarily mean the complete gun must be discarded.
Depending on the gun model, service components may include filters, needles, valve seats, seals, cartridges, triggers, swivels and complete repair kits.
Graco 17Y297 ProConnect cartridge for compatible Contractor PC spray guns.
Graco 288488 Repair-kit option for specified Contractor gun configurations. Verify exact fitment.
Graco 288817 Service-kit option for compatible SG2/SG3 spray-gun configurations.
Graco 288749 60-mesh gun-filter option for compatible Graco SG-series equipment.
Fitment matters: Never order a repair kit solely because it looks similar. Confirm the exact gun model and OEM part number first.
How to Find the Correct Spray Gun Replacement Part
One of the most common parts-ordering mistakes is identifying a component only by appearance. Similar-looking parts can belong to different gun families or revisions.
Manufacturer → Gun Model → Part Number → Series / Revision → OEM Parts Diagram
When possible, start with the exact Graco gun or sprayer part number and verify the service component against model-specific parts information before ordering.
Spray Gun Maintenance
Proper cleaning and inspection can help maintain spray performance and reduce avoidable downtime. Follow the service instructions for your specific sprayer and gun.
Spray Tip
Clean appropriately and inspect for wear.
Gun Filter
Inspect for debris, damage and restriction.
Tip Guard
Keep clean and inspect before spraying.
Fluid Passages
Do not allow coating to harden inside the gun.
Seals & Valves
Inspect when leakage or shutoff problems develop.
Hose & Fittings
Inspect pressure-bearing components for damage.
Important Safety Information
Airless Spray Gun Safety
High-pressure airless equipment can cause serious fluid-injection injuries. Never place your hand, finger or another part of your body in front of an airless spray tip.
Follow the equipment manufacturer's pressure-relief procedure, trigger-lock instructions, grounding requirements, hose-inspection procedures and personal-protective-equipment recommendations. Use only appropriately rated components.
Genuine Graco OEM
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Spray Gun FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Spray Guns
What is the difference between an airless spray gun and an air spray gun?
An airless spray gun uses pressurized coating supplied by the sprayer and atomizes the material through the spray tip without requiring compressed air at the gun. Conventional air spray uses compressed air to atomize the coating.
Is an HVLP spray gun the same as an airless spray gun?
No. HVLP uses high-volume, low-pressure air for atomization. Airless equipment uses pressurized fluid passing through a spray tip.
Which spray gun is commonly used for large painting projects?
Airless equipment is commonly used for productive architectural and commercial painting because it can apply coating efficiently across large surfaces. The coating and job requirements still determine the correct equipment.
Why does my airless spray pattern have tails?
Possible causes include insufficient atomization, an inappropriate or worn spray tip, coating viscosity, filtration problems or other system conditions. Follow the troubleshooting procedure for your specific sprayer and gun.
How do I know when an airless spray tip is worn?
A worn tip can change spray-pattern characteristics and material delivery. Deteriorating pattern definition, increased overspray or increased material consumption can indicate wear.
Can I install any spray gun on my airless paint sprayer?
No. Verify the gun's maximum working pressure, connection requirements, spray technology and manufacturer specifications before installation.
Are Graco spray gun repair parts interchangeable?
Do not assume they are. Compatibility varies by gun family and component. Confirm the exact gun model and OEM part number before ordering a repair kit, cartridge, filter or other service part.
Where can I buy genuine Graco spray gun parts?
SprayersAndParts supplies genuine Graco OEM spray guns, repair parts, tips, filters, guards and related replacement components. Use the exact Graco part number whenever possible to confirm the correct item.
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