Whether you’re running a turbine sprayer with the T-series spray guns, or a compressor driven spray gun, you’ll want to have a selection of air cap sets available for different spraying applications. Luckily, there’s a wide selection available to handle any common spraying need from thin dyes and stains, up to thicker lacquers and paints. Of course the flagship turbine system in the Fuji Spray line, the Q5 PLATINUM™, also features an air control knob giving you even greater control. With the simple dial on the Q5, along with the right needle and nozzle set, you’ll achieve the perfect spray pattern for your project every time.

When you order new air cap sets (AKA Needle and Nozzle Sets) they’ll come in temporary packaging like this.  Each contains a matched set of three components. You get a needle, nozzle, and corresponding color-coded air cap. They’re available in a range of sizes depending on the spray gun, but for the popular top-of-the-line T-series spray guns, sets are available in .8 to 2.5mm sizes. The seven available sets in this size range cover any possible coating you can spray with a Fuji Spray HVLP Turbine system.

I’ve always appreciated a well-designed storage case. Something purpose-made that will protect and store a product for years to come. These excellent little air cap cases are just that. They help you keep needles, nozzles and air caps paired together correctly, and out of harms-way in a busy shop.  They feature holes for the air cap and nozzle, and a slot for the needle with convenient finger-pull cutout. These are finely machined components after all, and you don’t want them rattling around in a drawer.

Each case neatly stores four air cap sets, and egg crate foam on the lid makes sure everything stays in place. Is this equipment you load in a vehicle for on-site work? If that’s true for you, it’s even more important to have these special cases to protect these precision parts. As mentioned, there are seven air cap sets available for the T-Series spray guns, so two cases will store every available size, plus one extra spot for future expansion.

The great thing is this – these air cap sets are compatible with both the T70 bottom feed, and the T75G gravity feed spray gun. Once you have a robust collection of needles and nozzles, you can put them to work on both guns!

Just imagine, with two spray guns and an assortment of air caps, no common finish or coating is beyond your reach.

A word about the LX-20 Air Cap Sets. The needles and nozzles for the compressor-driven LX-20 spray gun aren’t compatible with the T-series spray guns. If you spray with an LX-20, you’ll want to pick up a couple common sizes like 1.2 and 1.7mm sets. The most common 1.4mm air cap set comes with the LX-20.

But what size air cap do I use in each situation?  Basically, it all comes down to viscosity of the product being sprayed.

The thicker the liquid, the larger air cap set you’ll need. For example, if you’re spraying dye to shade and color your project, select a .8mm cap set. The fine needle point and small aperature direct the perfect amount of fluid to the air cap for atomization. Of course, air flow, fluid volume, and fan pattern can all be controlled, but we need to start with the right nozzle set.

Stain might require a slightly larger 1.0mm set, depending on the viscosity. Some wood stains have a large “solids” concentration, almost like muddy water. These types of stains will spray best with a slightly larger air cap set. Other stains have very little solids, and behave more like dyes. In that case, you’d select a nozzle size on the smaller end of the approved spectrum. The way you intend to apply the stain plays a role as well.  For instance, do you intend to do the final coloring right off the gun? In that case the correct needle and nozzle size is critical. Or do you plan to spray a wet coat of stain, and wipe it off with a rag? In that situation, the needle and nozzle size is much less critical.

Shellac sprays well with a 1.0mm or 1.3mm set. Again, this depends on viscosity of the liquid sprayed. If the product is a thin “Seal Coat” product, then you’re best bet is a 1.0mm tip. If it’s a more traditional 2# cut of shellac, opt for the standard 1.3mm tip.

Now for the bread and butter. Here are the most common air cap sets you’ll use for woodworking coatings. If you’re spraying clear lacquer, you’ll get best results with a 1.3mm or 1.5mm tip. Both the T70 and T75G spray guns come factory-equipped with a 1.3mm set. If you don’t see a finely atomized finish with the lacquer you normally use (and don’t want to thin the finish further) try swapping the air cap set for the 1.5mm size. The two storage cases filled with various air cap sets are tools in your toolbox. You wouldn’t expect to get a job done without the right tools, so get the full set right from the start!

The thick stuff. Trying to spray yogurt through a pinhole? That’s what spraying acrylic paints with a small nozzle set can feel like. The solution is simple… switch to a larger air cap set. Usually a 1.8mm to 2.0mm tip works best for paints. If you’re willing to thin the product a little more, a 1.8mm set usually works well. For paint coatings that demand very little thinning, the 2.0mm set is the best choice.

You wouldn’t use a tack hammer to frame your house, so don’t use a small air cap to spray paint. It’s that simple.

With the right air cap installed, you’ll instantly achieve professional atomization, for buttery smooth topcoats time and time again. For a selection of air cap sets available for your Fuji Spray gun, check this out. 

Looking for a new high performance HVLP turbine system? Discover the Q3, Q4 and flagship Q5 PLATINUM™ here.