ASM Spray Equipment FAQs

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Below are some of the most frequently asked ASM spray equipment questions.

1. Where can I purchase ASM products?

Answer: Please contact ASM Customer Service from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST Monday through Friday at 1-800-854-4025.

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2. Where can I purchase repair parts for my ASM airless sprayer?

Answer: You can purchase ASM repair parts through one of the many service repair centers. ASM does not sell parts direct.

Please view the list of ASM Distributors and Repair Centers, or
Call ASM Customer Service at 1-800-854-4025 to locate a distributor or service center near you.

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3. How do I select the correct paint sprayer for my application?

Answer: ASM sprayers are now manufactured under the Airlessco brand. Please visit the Airlessco webiste to Compare Airlessco Airless Sprayers.

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4. How do I select the correct airless tip for my application?

Answer: There are two variables to consider when selecting a spray tip, the size of the tip hole and the width of the spray pattern. The tip hole is also known as the orifice, measured in thousands of an inch. The type of the material being sprayed will determine the correct orifice size. Use smaller orifice sizes for lower viscosity materials such as stains and lacquers, and use larger orifice sizes for heavier coatings such as latex or oil-based paints. To determine the best orifice size for the specific material you are spraying, it is recommended for you to call the manufacturer because they have tested their product and they can tell you what works best based on their experience. If this is not possible check out ASM's brochure on tips for some general guidelines. Pattern width depends on the object that is being sprayed. Larger tips are recommended for wider surfaces.
For more details see How To Choose The Right Tip.

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5. How do I spray paint using an airless sprayer?

Answer: See How to use a paint sprayer in the Learning section of our website.

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6. What are the six most common ASM airless sprayer related questions?

Answers (A-F):

A. The sprayer will not prime or takes too long to prime.

Listed below are the most common reasons why the sprayer will not prime and possible solutions to correct the problem.

• The Spray/Prime valve should be set at PRIME. The arrow on the handle should be pointing down.
• Is the inlet screen or suction tube clogged? Clean debris off of the inlet screen and make sure the suction tube is at the bottom of the paint pail so the filter is covered with paint. Make sure the protective plastic cap or bag that covers the filter screen on new sprayers has been removed and the siphon hose is not kinked.
• Is the inlet valve check ball stuck? Place the smaller diameter drain hose into a waste pail and tap the side of the inlet check valve with a tool while the sprayer is stroking. The inlet check valve is the large hex shaped fitting that the larger diameter suction hose is connected to. If this does not free up the ball, remove the inlet tube and place a pencil, eraser end first, into the inlet valve housing to loosen the ball.
• Is the outlet valve check ball stuck? Remove the paint hose from the sprayer and unscrew the outlet valve. Gently nudge the ball inside the valve assembly with eraser end of a pencil to loosen the ball. Screw the outlet valve back into the pump.
• Make sure the drain line is not blocked so the sprayer can prime. Power Flush your sprayer with water if you are spraying latex paint. You should pass about one gallon of water per minute with normal garden hose pressure. Check the diffuser, drain hose, or pump housing to clear any dried paint if the water pressure is less. Power Flushing instructions are in the user manual of your sprayer if you are not familiar with the process.
• The material may be too thick. This sprayer is not intended to spray roofing materials, block fillers, or materials thicker than a latex paint. Even 100% acrylic latex paints may have to be thinned when using a sprayer smaller than the Zip Spray 1900.

B. What is preventing my ASM airless paint sprayer from priming?

• Make sure the Prime valve is open to allow air to purge from the paint pump.
• Make sure the inlet strainer is not clogged. Clean or replace the inlet strainer.
• Make sure that the siphon/immersion tube is not loose.
• Make sure the lower ball is not stuck. This could be due to insufficient cleaning and/or not leaving mineral spirits in the unit after flushing.

C. The sprayer loses prime while spraying paint. What are the possible causes?

• The siphon/immersion tube is loose.

• The lower ball is not sealing on the down stroke. This could be caused by:

  • Large debris holding the ball open.
  • A worn or scarred lower ball.
  • The inlet strainer is not being used allowing debris to enter the pump inlet.

D. The ASM airless sprayer does not supply enough pressure at the spray tip or pressure drops off.

• The spray tip is worn out – replace the spray tip.
• The filters are clogged. Clean or replace the filters.
• An incorrect filter size is being used for heavier paint. Use a 60-mesh filter for spraying latex paint and a 100- mesh filter for spraying stains.
• The airless hose is too long and/or too small of a diameter is being used. Use an airless hose with a shorter length or a hose with a larger diameter.

E. The pump packings on my ASM airless sprayer are wearing out prematurely. What could be causing the accelerated packing wear?

• Operating the sprayer with a clogged inlet strainer or without the inlet strainer.
• Priming the unit without using the prime valve.
• The throat packings have not been inspected/adjusted on a regular basis.
• Packing Seal liquid is not being used. Keep packing nut ¾ full of Packing Seal liquid.
• Water or paint is being left in the sprayer instead of cleaning and leaving mineral spirits or pump storage fluid in the pump lower.
• The pump cylinder is worn and should be replaced.
• A kinked or clogged siphon tube.

F. What causes the prime valve on my ASM airless sprayer to wear prematurely?

• Relieving pressure using the prime valve instead of the trigger on the airless gun will prematurely wear-out the prime valve.
• Mineral Spirits should be left in the pump lower. Water or paint should not be left in the pump lower.

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7. Why can't I achieve a proper spray pattern?

Answer: The sprayer design is an on demand system. When the gun trigger is pulled the sprayer should cycle. If the sprayer is running continuously read below:

The inlet or outlet check valve is stuck open. Shut the sprayer off, un-plug the electric cord, and rotate the prime/spray valve handle down to relieve any pressure in the sprayer, and remove the blue paint hose from the sprayer. Unscrew the inlet and outlet check valves. Clean the ball and seat of each valve. Remove all debris and inspect the ball to make sure that it is loose and can sit tightly on the seat. Inspect the o-ring around the valve housing for damage and replace if necessary. Screw the valve back into the pump and securely attach the hose.

• Leaky joints or a damaged suction hose will allow air into the sprayer. Inspect the suction hose for leaks and tighten or replace if necessary.
• Spray/Prime valve is stuck open or leaks. Repair or replace Spray/Prime valve. See your local service center.

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8. What causes the airless spray pattern to be too thin and not cover completely?

Answer: Thin paint coverage can be caused by the following reasons:

• The operator is moving the gun across the surface to be painted too quickly. Slow down the operator speed of the gun.
• Select a tip with a larger orifice size. For example: if using a 415 tip, try using a 417 tip instead.
• Select a tip with a narrower fan pattern. For example: if using a 517 tip, try using a 417 or a 317 tip instead.
• The operator may be spraying with the gun too far away from the surface to be painted. Hold the gun closer to the paint surface while spraying.

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9. How often should I tighten the packing nut on my airless sprayer?

Answer: The Zip-Spray ESP, 1500, 1700 and 1900 sprayers do not require packing nut adjustments. If you own a Zip-Spray 2300, 3100 or 3400G, it's a good practice to check the packing nut on a weekly basis and slightly tighten it if necessary. Paint visible in the wet cup or on the rod surface is an indication that paint is starting to pass by the throat packing and the packing nut needs to be tightened. Depending on the style either put a flat-blade screwdriver on the head of the packing nut or punch on it and tap it lightly with a hammer. Tighten just enough to stop any paint leakage and DO NOT over tighten the nut. New or repacked pumps generally need re-tightening after the first several gallons. If the nut has been tightened completely and paint continues to leak past the seals, repack the pump.

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10. Is it OK to spray latex, oil, and lacquer based paints through the same sprayer, gun, and hose?

Answer: Yes. ASM sprayers, hoses, guns, etc, are designed to be compatible with all of these types of fluids. There are a few other considerations that you should be aware of. Be sure that all equipment is of sufficient size and of a high enough pressure rating to work with the material that is being sprayed. Another issue to be aware of is that no matter how well a sprayer is cleaned out, some residue will remain behind. It is not uncommon to have pigmented paints contaminate a clear coating like varnish and lacquer. Switching between water-based and solvent-based materials can also make the insides of the pump gummy and sticky. Ideally, we would recommend two different sprayers, but at the very least, you should use a dedicated hose for lacquer and clear coatings.

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11. My ASM sprayer will not build pressure even after cleaning all the filters and the inlet check ball. Do you have any further suggestions?

Answer: When a sprayer does not build up pressure, the most common problem is that the outlet-check ball is either stuck in the open position or on the seat. Unplug the sprayer and relieve any pressure in the system.

If your sprayer has a small black cover just right of the sprayer's fluid hose connection, remove the black cover and use a 3/4" socket to un-screw the outlet check valve and clean it.

If your sprayer does not have the black cover, you will need to lay the sprayer on its back with the front cover up. Remove the 4 screws that attach the cover, hold the prime spray valve and pressure control knobs down so they remain with the sprayer, and gently lift off the cover. The knobs must remain with the pump on the sprayer. The outlet check valve will be in the middle of the pump housing sitting at an angle. Remove the outlet check valve and clean it and replace all the items.

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12. My ASM airless sprayer will not start or cycle, what could the problem be?

Answer:

• Either the electrical outlet is not providing any power, or the extension or power cords are damaged. Try a different outlet, reset the building circuit breaker or replace the extension cord/power cord.
• Pressure is at the minimum setting. Turn pressure control knob to the right (clockwise) to increase pressure.
• The motor or control is damaged. Seek service from an ASM authorized service center.
• Paint is frozen or hardened in the displacement pump. Unplug the sprayer from the electrical outlet. NOTE: If frozen, do not try to start the sprayer until completely thawed or else damage to the motor, control board and /or drive-train may occur. Make sure the power switch is off. Place the sprayer in a warm area for several hours, then plug in and turn on. Slowly increase the pressure setting to see if the motor will start. If the paint has hardened in the sprayer, the pump packings, valves, drive train or pressure switch may need to be replaced.

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13. When paint is sprayed through my ASM airless sprayer the paint runs or sags down the wall. What is causing this?

Answer: The paint is going on too thick. This can be caused by a number of things.

• The operator is not moving the gun fast enough. Increase the speed that the gun is being moved over the painting surface.
• Select a spray tip with a smaller orifice size. For example: if you are using a 419 tip, try using a 417 or a 415 tip instead. This will reduce the amount of paint leaving the gun.
• Select a spray tip with a wider fan pattern. For example: if using a 317 tip, try using a 417 or a 517 tip instead.
• The gun may be to close to the surface being painted. Hold the gun further back when spraying.

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14. Why do I get streaks or bands in my spray pattern?

Answer: Streaks in the spray pattern, especially heavy bands at the outside edge, indicates low pressure at the tip. In order to correct the issue, turn up the pressure control knob until these bands are eliminated. If the sprayer is already at maximum, you may have to use a larger diameter hose or shorten the length of the hose to reduce the pressure drop. Also make sure that all paint filters in the system are clean.

Sprayers are rated for a maximum tip size. Using a tip that is larger than the maximum size or a tip that is worn larger will cause low pressure. The tip should also be the proper size for the type of material being sprayed. After extended use, spray tips will wear out, causing a poor spray pattern. You may have to replace the spray tip with a new one to restore the proper spray pattern.

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15. How can I contact ASM Company or find out more information about ASM products?

Answer: Most product information can be found on this website. If you still can’t find what you are looking for, Customer Service can be contacted by completing the online Contact Form or by phone at 1-800-854-4025.

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Choosing the right airless paint sprayer tip contributes greatly to the performance of your sprayer, the quality of the finish, and the success of the job. They’re incredibly important, not only because they control the width of the spray pattern and the paint flow rate, but because they ultimately determine how hard the pump should work while spraying. Spray tips are essentially the brains of the operation – so make sure you choose yours wisely.

There’s a lot that goes into that decision, from understanding the application and the type of coating you’ll be spraying to selecting the correct tip size and more. To that end, knowing how to read tip sizes is a great place to start.

Spray Tip Sizes 101

Paint sprayer tips all have size numbers that denote two specific factors – fan width and orifice size. Size numbers consist of three digits, and understanding what each digit means is key to choosing the right tip for the job.

Let’s use a 517 tip as an example:

• The first digit (5) is multiplied by two to indicate the approximate fan width (10 to 12 inches).
• The second and third digits (17) are the size of the orifice in thousandths of an inch (.017), representing the flow rate (i.e., how many gallons per minute will pass through the orifice).

The diagram below shows what happens when you change tip sizes.

In Example A, the three tips have the same fan width. As their orifice sizes increase, a greater volume of paint is applied to the 10-inch area, resulting in more paint per square inch.

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Example B shows three tips that have the same orifice size (.017). As the tips’ fan widths increase, the same amount of paint is applied over a greater area, resulting in less volume of paint applied per square inch as the sizes go up.

Choosing a Tip Size

You’ll want to consider two things when deciding on a tip size – what type of surface is being painted and the coating being applied. Here’s how it works:

Fan Width: For larger surfaces like walls and ceilings, you’ll want a larger fan width for wider coverage of the area (8 to 24 inches). For smaller surfaces like deck boards, cabinets, and fences, you’ll want a smaller fan width (2 to 6 inches). 

Orifice Size: Generally speaking, when the coating is thin, you’ll want a smaller orifice, and when the coating is thick, you’ll want a larger orifice. Below are recommended orifice sizes for various types of coatings, based on a typical 12-inch distance from the surface with an 8- to 12-inch fan width.

Types of Coatings

Recommended Orifice Size

Varnishes, Lacquers & Sanding Sealers

0.011"

Clear Shellac

0.013"

Transparent Stain & Water Sealers

0.013"

Solid Stain

0.015"

Exterior House Paints & Interior Wall Paints

0.017"

Interior & Exterior Primers

0.019"

Commercial Grade Architectural Coatings

0.019"

Dry Fall & One Coat Primer Finishes

0.023"

Field Marking Paint

0.019"

Pavement Striping

0.023"

Pigmented Waterproofers

0.027"

Elastomerics

0.031"

Block Fillers

0.031"

 

Most paint and coating manufacturers include recommended orifice sizes on the technical data sheets for their products. Look for them on the paint can or on the manufacturer’s website.

Understanding Mil Thickness

Another key consideration is the mil thickness of the coating you’re applying, which will depend on the flow rate and the speed at which your hand is moving. If your hand moves fast, the mil thickness will be less than if your hand moves slow. With that being said, you can also compensate for your hand speed by using tips with different flow rates, or GPM ratings.

By using a tip with a larger orifice, you can spray faster and achieve the same mil thickness. For instance, a .017 tip sprays .31 GPM, a .019 tip sprays .40 GPM, and a .021 tip sprays .47 GPM. With the same hand speed, a 517, 520, and 521 tip will produce the same mil thickness.

Tips really are the brains of the spraying operation, so by applying this knowledge, you can complete jobs faster and with better results – while saving time and money in the process.  

Reversible vs. Fine Finish vs. HEA Spray Tips

Three of the most effective and commonly used types of spray tips are reversible, fine finish, and high-efficiency airless (HEA).

Reversible tips are primarily designed for ease of use, and supplemental filtration systems are not required. When in spraying mode, the tip is facing forward. When a blockage enters the system, you can reverse the tip by turning it 180 degrees, pull the trigger to spray the blockage out, and turn the tip back 180 degrees to continue working.

Titan’s SC-6+ reversible spray tip has a long-lasting orifice that provides more usable life while achieving up to a 22% wider fan pattern. It sprays a consistent film thickness while wasting less paint and comes in a wide variety of sizes used to spray coatings such as latex paint in residential or commercial applications.

Fine finish spray tips are designed for projects such as cabinetry, woodwork, and metal, and are perfect for use with stains, lacquers, light-bodied clear finishes, and other fine finish materials. The SC-6+ Synergy fine finish tip from Titan achieves a particle size up to 27% smaller than a standard tip and is pressure rated at 5000 PSI.

HEA tips are known for their revolutionary low-pressure technology, capable of putting paint in its place while decreasing overspray and extending the life of the pump. Titan’s HEA tips are optimized to spray all architectural paints and coatings at 1000 PSI at production speed, decreasing overspray by up to 55% to allow you to keep on spraying.

Shop our collection of airless spray tips to find the perfect solution for your next project.

Spray Smarter with Titan Tool

Boost every job with the unbeatable power, speed, and control of a Titan airless paint sprayer, elevated even further when paired with our industry-leading collection of smart, easy-to-use accessories. Built for maximum durability, Titan is the only business choice for best-in-class ROI and dedicated support whenever you need it.

Browse our electric airless paint sprayers, gas airless paint sprayers, or collection of parts and accessories to start experiencing better results, every time you pull the trigger.

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