Which Paints Work With an Airless Paint Sprayer?
If you’re asking what kind of paint do you use on an airless sprayer, you can use latex, acrylic, enamel, primers, stains, and many water-based and solvent-based coatings. Some professional airless sprayers can also handle heavier materials such as elastomeric coatings and block fillers. The right paint depends on the sprayer’s capacity, spray tip size, pressure and the coating manufacturer’s application requirements.
An airless paint sprayer is not limited to one type of paint. The material must be compatible with the specific sprayer and spray tip being used, and the coating manufacturer’s application recommendations should always be followed.
What Types of Paint Can You Use With an Airless Sprayer?
When asking what kind of paint do you use on an airless sprayer, start with the coating manufacturer’s application requirements and the capabilities of your equipment.
Common types of paint for an airless sprayer include:
- Latex paint
- Acrylic paint
- Interior and exterior architectural coatings
- Primers
- Enamels
- Stains and sealers
- Compatible oil-based and solvent-based coatings
- Block fillers
- Certain elastomeric coatings
- Other specialty and high-build coatings
The key is matching the coating to a sprayer with the appropriate flow capacity, pressure and maximum spray-tip size.
TriTech manufactures professional airless paint sprayers for different production requirements and coating applications. Compare specifications for TriTech airless paint sprayers before selecting equipment for a particular material.
Can You Use Latex Paint in an Airless Sprayer?
Yes. Latex paint can be used in an airless sprayer, provided the sprayer and spray tip are appropriate for the coating.
Latex architectural coatings are commonly applied with airless equipment because these systems can move relatively high volumes of material while producing consistent atomization.
A thicker latex coating may require a different tip or pressure than a thinner material, so always check the coating manufacturer’s application recommendations.
Can You Use Acrylic Paint in an Airless Sprayer?
Yes. Many acrylic architectural coatings can be applied using an airless paint sprayer.
Acrylic coatings vary in viscosity and formulation, so there is no single spray setup that works for every product. Check the coating manufacturer’s technical data before selecting the spray tip and pressure.
This is particularly important when moving between thinner finishing products and heavier exterior or protective coatings.
Can You Spray Oil-Based Paint With an Airless Sprayer?
Many professional airless systems can spray compatible oil-based and solvent-based coatings, but material compatibility should always be verified before spraying.
The coating manufacturer may specify particular application equipment, tip sizes, pressure ranges, solvents or cleanup procedures.
Solvent-based materials can require specific ventilation, fire-safety and personal-protection measures. Follow the coating manufacturer’s safety data, the equipment manufacturer’s instructions and applicable workplace safety requirements. OSHA’s spray operations guidance provides additional information on hazards and standards associated with professional spray-finishing operations.
Does Paint Need to Be Thinned for an Airless Sprayer?
When answering “what kind of paint do you use on an airless sprayer?”, viscosity and thinning requirements are also important. Paint does not automatically need to be thinned before using an airless sprayer.
Many architectural coatings are formulated for airless application without thinning. Adding thinner when it is not recommended can affect coverage, film build, drying characteristics and the finished coating.
Before thinning paint, check:
- The coating manufacturer’s application instructions
- Recommended airless tip size
- Recommended pressure range
- Maximum tip size supported by the sprayer
- Whether thinning is permitted
- Recommended thinner and maximum thinning percentage, if applicable
Never assume a thick coating should simply be diluted until it sprays.
Why Does Spray Tip Size Matter for Different Paints?
The answer to what kind of paint do you use on an airless sprayer also depends on spray tip selection. The tip affects the amount of coating passing through the gun and the spray-fan characteristics.
As a general principle, thinner materials can use smaller orifices, while heavier coatings typically require larger tip openings.
TriTech explains that heavier coatings require larger orifice sizes while thinner materials work best with smaller orifices in its guide to choosing an airless paint sprayer tip.
The appropriate tip can vary according to:
- Coating viscosity
- Surface being sprayed
- Desired finish
- Production requirements
- Sprayer capacity
- Recommended wet-film thickness
Do not choose a spray tip based only on the type of paint. Check the coating manufacturer’s recommended tip range and make sure it falls within the sprayer’s capabilities.
What Happens If the Paint Is Too Thick for the Airless Sprayer?
Using material that is too heavy for a particular airless paint sprayer or tip can result in poor atomization, an inconsistent spray pattern, excessive pressure requirements or difficulty maintaining production.
Instead of immediately increasing pressure, confirm that the sprayer has sufficient output and supports the required tip size.
Larger professional projects and high-build materials may require equipment designed specifically for greater material flow.
For example, TriTech’s T400TX Texture Airless Spray Gun is designed with larger fluid passages for thick materials including joint compound, fireproofing, heavy elastomerics and block fillers.
How Do You Match Paint to an Airless Sprayer?
When asking what kind of paint do you use on an airless sprayer, consider both the coating manufacturer’s application requirements and your equipment’s capabilities.
Check the coating manufacturer’s technical data sheet to determine whether airless application is recommended and identify the specified tip size and pressure range. Then confirm that the airless sprayer can support the required tip size and material flow.
A useful order is:
Coating → Manufacturer’s spray specification → Sprayer capacity → Tip size → Pressure adjustment
This is more reliable than choosing settings based only on whether a coating is labeled latex, acrylic, enamel or another paint type.
What Is the Best Paint for an Airless Sprayer?
There is no single best paint for an airless sprayer. The best material is the coating specified for the surface and project that is also compatible with the spraying equipment being used.
For example, a contractor painting interior walls may use latex or acrylic architectural paint, while another application may require primer, enamel, stain or a heavier specialty coating.
TriTech professional airless sprayers are designed for the application of architectural paints and coatings. Specific material requirements vary, so always compare the coating manufacturer’s application recommendations with the sprayer’s specifications, including maximum tip size and material-output capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paint for Airless Sprayers
What kind of paint do you use on an airless sprayer?
You can use latex, acrylic, enamel, primers, stains and many compatible water-based and solvent-based coatings in an airless sprayer. Heavier materials may require a higher-output sprayer and larger spray tip.
Can you put regular paint in an airless sprayer?
Yes. Many common architectural paints, including compatible latex and acrylic paints, can be sprayed with an airless sprayer. Check the paint manufacturer’s airless application instructions and make sure the required tip size is within the sprayer’s capabilities.
Can you use latex paint in an airless sprayer?
Yes. Latex paint is commonly applied using airless paint sprayers. Tip size and pressure should be matched to the particular coating.
Do you have to thin latex paint for an airless sprayer?
Not always. Many latex paints can be sprayed without thinning. Follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions rather than automatically adding water or another thinner.
Can an airless sprayer spray thick paint?
Yes, but the equipment must be capable of handling the material. Heavy coatings may require a larger spray tip, greater material flow or specialized airless equipment.
What tip should I use for airless paint?
The correct airless spray tip depends on the coating, desired fan width, surface and equipment. Use the coating manufacturer’s recommended tip range as your starting point and make sure the selected tip is within the sprayer’s specifications.
Professional Airless Sprayers for Different Coating Applications
Once you understand what kind of paint do you use on an airless sprayer, the next step is matching the coating requirements with the correct sprayer output and spray tip.
TriTech Industries manufactures professional airless sprayers, spray guns, tips and accessories for professional painting and coating applications. Compare the TriTech airless sprayer lineup to find equipment suited to your production and coating requirements.
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