As a sealcoating business owner, you understand the crucial role that equipment selection plays in the success of your projects. This blog focuses on one of the most essential components of your spray system: the spray tip. The right spray tip is vital for achieving a professional and clean finish, as opposed to a messy and inefficient result. We’ll delve into the key factors involved in choosing the perfect spray tip for your sealcoating needs, ensuring optimal performance and quality outcomes.
We regularly receive questions about spray tips and what the best selection is for your job and specific requirements. Understanding the difference between the various spray tips will help you choose the best option for durability and precision. Additionally, we’ll provide practical advice on troubleshooting common spray tip issues you might encounter on the job site and share tips for storing your spray tips to keep them in optimal condition. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge to address potential challenges swiftly and effectively, keeping your sealcoating business running smoothly and profitably.
Why Spray Tip Selection Matters
Spray tips directly influence the application of your sealcoat, affecting both the quality of the finish and your efficiency on the job. Different projects, such as residential driveways or large parking lots, require varying amounts of precision and coverage. Having the right spray tip for each job ensures:
- Efficient use of material: Minimizing overspray and reducing product waste.
- Precision: Ensuring you apply sealant where needed and avoid unwanted areas like flower beds or sidewalks.
- Speed: Selecting a tip with the right flow rate can speed up larger jobs without sacrificing quality.
Since spray tips are one of the most frequently replaced parts of your sealcoating system, understanding how to choose the right one is crucial.
Understanding Spray Tip Codes
Seal-Rite’s spray tips are categorized using a numerical system, such as 80/30, 80/40, and so on. Here’s how to decode them:
- The first number (80): This represents the fan angle or spread of the spray. In this case, “80” means an 80-degree fan spray pattern. The fan angle affects how wide the sealant is distributed.
- The second number (30, 40, 50, 70, 100): This indicates the flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM) at a particular pressure (PSI). The higher the number, the more sealant is sprayed per minute.
For example, an 80/40 spray tip has an 80-degree fan and sprays 4 gallons per minute at a specific pressure. Choosing the right tip depends on both the size of the job and how much control you need over the spray pattern.
Comparing Hardened Steel vs. Ceramic Spray Tips
Seal-Rite offers two main types of spray tips: hardened steel and ceramic. Each has distinct advantages depending on your project needs.
Hardened Steel Tips: These are the most common spray tips used by sealcoating contractors. They offer excellent durability and are cost-effective. Hardened steel tips can withstand the wear and tear of frequent use, making them ideal for those working on medium to large commercial projects. However, they may need to be replaced more frequently than ceramic tips due to wear over time.
Ceramic Tips: Ceramic spray tips are more durable and resistant to abrasion than hardened steel. While they come at a higher price, they last significantly longer, making them a worthwhile investment for contractors who handle high-volume work or use highly abrasive sealant materials. Ceramic tips maintain consistent spray patterns for a longer period, ensuring uniform coverage and less downtime for tip replacement.
| Spray Tip Material | Durability | Best Use Case | Cost |
| Hardened Steel | Moderate | Medium to large projects with frequent tip replacement | Affordable |
| Ceramic | High | High-volume, large projects requiring longer-lasting tips | Premium |
How GPM Affects Your Spray Pattern
GPM (gallons per minute) is a critical factor in determining the flow rate of sealant from the spray tip. While it may seem logical to choose a higher GPM to finish jobs faster, this can sometimes result in more overspray and product waste, especially in smaller or more detailed areas. Here’s a breakdown of when to use various GPM ratings.
| Spray Tip Size | Details | Best Use |
| 80/30 | Tight fan spray – precise control | Small jobs requiring precision |
| 80/40 | Small fan spray – precise control | Driveways and small parking lots |
| 80/50 | Medium fan spray – balanced control | Small to medium parking lots |
| 80/70 | Large fan spray – less precision | Medium to large parking lots |
| 80/100 | Large fan spray | Large jobs |
Troubleshooting Common Spray Tip Issues
Even with the right spray tip, you may encounter issues on the job site. Here’s a quick guide to solving some of the most common spray tip problems:
- Sealer is too thick or over-diluted: If your sealer is too thick, it can clog the spray tip or reduce the pressure. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations for dilution. If your sealer is too diluted, you risk creating air bubbles, which can cause your pump to lose its prime.
- Blockages in the sprayer: Sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank can block the suction pipe. Regularly mix the tank or use a manual agitation kit to keep the sealer moving.
- Clogged spray gun: Over time, the spray gun can clog if it’s not cleaned regularly. Flush the gun with fresh water daily to prevent blockages.
- Not enough sealer in the tank: Ensure that you always have at least 30-40 gallons of sealer in the tank to avoid sucking air into the pump, which can result in pressure loss.
- Foaming: Over-agitating the sealer or using additives can lead to foam, causing your pump to lose its prime. Limit agitation to 30 seconds and avoid continuous recirculation throughout the day.
Best Practices for Maintaining Your Spray Tips
Maintaining your spray tips is key to ensuring their longevity and reliability on the job. Implementing a systematic maintenance schedule helps you avoid unexpected downtimes and costly replacements. Here are some best practices for maintaining your spray tips:
- Regular Cleaning: After each use, clean the spray tips thoroughly with water or an appropriate solvent, removing any residual sealant. This prevents clogging and maintains the spray pattern’s consistency.
- Inspect for Wear and Tear: Regularly inspect your spray tips for signs of wear such as an uneven spray pattern, reduced flow, or physical damage. Early detection of wear can prevent larger problems on site.
- Proper Storage: Store spray tips in a dry, dust-free environment and protect them from direct impact. Consider using labeled containers to organize tips according to their size and type for easy access.
- Replace at Recommended Intervals: Even with proper maintenance, spray tips will eventually wear out and need replacement. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on when to replace your specific tip model.
By following these best practices, you can ensure that your spray tips are in top condition, resulting in efficient and high-quality sealcoating jobs every time. With the right knowledge and preparation, choosing the perfect spray tip for your project will become second nature, allowing you to focus on delivering excellent results to your clients. So keep these tips in mind as you select and maintain your spray tips for optimal performance and success in all your sealcoating projects
Choosing the right spray tip for your sealcoating system is one of the most important decisions you’ll make on any project. Whether you’re working on small residential driveways or large commercial parking lots, selecting the correct spray tip size and material will not only help you deliver professional results but also save you time and reduce product waste. Hardened steel tips are an affordable, durable option for most contractors, while ceramic tips offer enhanced durability for high-volume projects. By understanding GPM, spray patterns, and troubleshooting common spray tip problems, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any sealcoating job with confidence.
Remember: having a few different spray tips on hand, from 3 GPM for precise work to 7 GPM for large-scale projects, will ensure that you’re prepared for any job. This option is available in our Spray Tip Kit. Regular maintenance of your spray system and understanding your sealant’s viscosity are equally important for maximizing your efficiency and ensuring high-quality results.
