Graco TC Pro Spray Tips: Which Tip for Which Paint
Graco's TC Pro takes TCP tips from 0.008 to 0.016 in. What the tip number means, which size suits stain, enamel or latex, and how to change and unclog a tip.
In this guide
The Graco TC Pro sprays through TCP tips with a 0.008–0.016 in. orifice, and it comes with one tip, the TCP514 (0.014 in.). Graco's owner's manual puts interior stains and clears on the smallest tips, 0.008 and 0.010 in. Primers and interior latex start at 0.014 in., and exterior latex is listed only for the 0.016 in. tip.
What the number on a tip means
Graco's Spray Tip Selector explains the digits. The first digit is half the fan width, so the 5 in 514 stands for a 10 in. fan (5 × 2). The last two digits give the orifice in thousandths of an inch: 14 means 0.014 in. The TC Pro manual lists TCP as the TC Pro tip family, so every tip for this sprayer starts with those letters.
The orifice decides which materials a tip can handle. Graco puts thinner materials such as stains on smaller tips and latex on larger ones. The fan width is how wide a strip each pass covers.
Which tip size for which paint
This table follows the Tip and Pressure Selection table on page 15 of the TC Pro owner's manual (3A4476), sorted by material instead of by tip.
| Material | Tip sizes | Speed Control |
|---|---|---|
| Interior stains, interior and exterior clears | 0.008, 0.010 in. | 1–5 |
| Exterior solid stains | 0.010–0.016 in. | 6–10 |
| Enamels | 0.012–0.016 in. | 6–10 |
| Primers | 0.014, 0.016 in. | 6–10 |
| Interior latex paints | 0.014, 0.016 in. | 6–10 |
| Exterior latex paints | 0.016 in. | 6–10 |
Graco also tells you to check the paint can for the manufacturer's recommendations. If tails persist, the manual says the material may need thinning; follow the paint manufacturer's instructions.
The TCP514 product page lists that tip for solid color stains, enamels, primers, interior paints, paint and primer in one, and exterior paints. The manual's table lists exterior latex only for the 0.016 in. size, so the two Graco documents differ on exterior paint.
Warning The manual allows only water-based or oil-based (mineral spirit-type) materials with a flash point above 100°F (38°C). Don't spray anything labeled "FLAMMABLE".
Match the pump filter to the tip
Graco's manual also pairs each tip size with a pump filter color. Tips of 0.014 in. and larger are for paint and take the black pump filter. Tips of 0.012 in. and smaller are for stain and take the blue one. Graco sells them as 3-packs: 17P554 for paint and 17P555 for stain. The kit includes a 60 mesh filter, 17M938.
TC Pro tips by size and fan
These are the TCP tips that have their own pages on Graco's site. Graco's page for the whole TCP line shows more results, so there may be more sizes than these.
| Orifice | TCP tips | Max. flow |
|---|---|---|
| 0.008 in. | 208, 308 | 0.07 gpm |
| 0.010 in. | 210, 310, 410 | 0.11 gpm |
| 0.012 in. | 212, 312, 412 | 0.15 gpm |
| 0.014 in. | 314, 414, 514 | 0.21 gpm |
| 0.016 in. | 516 | 0.27 gpm |
The first digit gives the fan: a 2 is 4 in., a 3 is 6 in., a 4 is 8 in. and a 5 is 10 in. Graco rates TCP tips to 4,050 psi, well above the sprayer's 500–2,000 psi. The tips are reversible, so you can turn one around to clear a clog.
TCP tips need the TC Pro guard
The manual says to use only tips from the family that came with the sprayer. For the TC Pro that is TCP; Graco's Ultra and Ultimate handhelds use FFLP tips. Graco's brochure says TCP tips are for use only with the TC Pro Tip Guard, 17P574. The FFLP guard is a different part, 246215.
Graco says the 17P574 guard helps cut down on paint buildup, dripping and spitting, and comes off without tools. The manual says to always spray with the guard on.
Changing a tip
- Relieve the pressure: turn the Prime Knob down to PRIME.
- Remove the battery.
- Use the Spray Tip to press the seal into the Spray Tip Guard.
- Insert the tip and push it all the way into the guard.
- Screw the guard onto the sprayer hand tight.
Graco sells replacement tip seats and seals as kit 17P501, a 5-pack.
Warning Keep your hand away from the front of the tip and guard. The sprayer builds up to 2,000 psi, and the manual warns of serious injury from skin injection.
Clearing a clogged tip
The tip is reversible, so a clog clears without taking the sprayer apart.
- Turn the Prime Knob down to PRIME.
- Turn the Spray Tip to UNCLOG.
- Set the Speed Control to its highest setting.
- Point the sprayer into a waste pail, turn the Prime Knob forward to SPRAY and pull the Trigger for 5 seconds.
- Turn the Prime Knob down to PRIME, turn the tip back to SPRAY, then turn the Prime Knob forward to SPRAY.
If the tip is still clogged, repeat the steps or fit a new tip. For a break of 5 minutes to 2 hours, the manual says to relieve the pressure, remove the battery and turn the tip 90 degrees to seal the orifice.
When to replace a tip
Tips wear with use and with abrasive paint. Graco's Tip Selector says a worn tip has a larger orifice and a narrower fan. It suggests replacing a tip after 15–40 gallons of latex, or 35–60 gallons of oils and stains.
The manual links these signs to a worn tip:
- A poor spray pattern. The manual says this may mean a worn tip, but a partly clogged tip, a tip in the wrong position or the wrong tip size can cause it too.
- Paint that keeps dripping after you release the Trigger, even with the tip pushed all the way into the guard.
Tails or a pulsing pattern can also mean the wrong tip size; the manual's fix is to try a different size. Clean the tip, or store it in water or mineral spirits, right after use so paint doesn't dry inside.
What comes in the box
Graco lists these parts for the 17N166 kit:
- TC Pro Cordless sprayer.
- TC Pro 514 spray tip (TCP514) and TC Pro Tip Guard (17P574).
- Four 32 oz FlexLiner bags.
- Two DEWALT 20V MAX 2.0 Ah batteries (17P474) and a DEWALT 20V MAX charger (17P475).
- 60 mesh filter (17M938).
- Storage bag (17N194) and 4 oz of Pump Armor storage fluid.
The only tip in the kit is the TCP514. For interior stains and clears (0.008–0.010 in.) or exterior latex (0.016 in.), you need another TCP tip.
We carry the Graco TC Pro Cordless 17N166 in Power & Air Tools.
FAQ
What is the Graco 514 tip used for?
The TCP514 has a 0.014 in. orifice and a 10 in. fan. The TC Pro manual lists 0.014 in. for exterior solid stains, primers, enamels and interior latex paints. Graco's TCP514 page adds exterior paints.
Can I use FFLP tips on a TC Pro?
No. The TC Pro takes TCP tips with the 17P574 guard, while the Ultra and Ultimate handhelds take FFLP tips with the 246215 guard. Graco's manual says to use only the tip family that came with your sprayer.
When should a TC Pro tip be replaced?
When the spray pattern stays poor after you've cleared the tip and checked that it's the right size and in the right position, or paint keeps dripping after you release the Trigger even with the tip pushed fully into the guard. Graco's Tip Selector gives 15–40 gallons of latex or 35–60 gallons of oils and stains as a guide.
How do you read a Graco tip size?
The first digit is half the fan width and the last two are the orifice in thousandths of an inch. A 514 tip sprays a 10 in. fan through a 0.014 in. orifice.
Specifications come from Graco's documents: the TC Pro owner's manual (3A4476), the TC Pro Cordless 17N166 page, the TCP tip pages, the 17P574 tip guard page, the Spray Tip Selector and the homeowner sprayer brochure (344185).