Graco vs Wagner airless sprayers
Short answer: both make serviceable piston sprayers for the trade, from first contractor units to big site sprayers, and the specs line up closely size for size. For a painting business the deciding factor is usually the fleet you already run: tips, guards, handpieces and pump spares that fit across your sprayers, and how fast you can get parts and service.
Size for size
Matched by max tip, the spec that decides what coating a sprayer can push.
| Max tip | Graco | Graco flow | Wagner | Wagner flow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .021 | Ultra 390 | 1.8 L/min | ProSpray 3.20 HEA | 2.0 L/min |
| .023 | Ultra 395 | 2.0 L/min | ProSpray 3.21 HEA | 2.0 L/min |
| .027 | Ultra 495 XT | 3.0 L/min | ProSpray 3.25 | 2.6 L/min |
| .029 | Ultra 650 XT | 3.4 L/min | ProSpray 3.29 | 3.0 L/min at 1750 psi (120 bar), water |
| .031 / .032 | Ultra 695 XT (.031) | 4.0 L/min | ProSpray 3.31 (.032) | 3.8 L/min |
| .033 / .034 | Ultra 795 XT (.033) | 4.5 L/min | ProSpray 3.34 (.034) | 4.5 L/min |
| .035 / .039 | Ultra 1095 XT (.035) | 4.9 L/min | ProSpray 3.39 (.039) | 5.0 L/min |
Max working pressure: Graco Ultra and XT 3300 psi (228 bar). Wagner ProSpray 3000 psi (207 bar) on the 3.20 and 3200 psi (221 bar) on the 3.21 and up. Each maker tests flow its own way, so treat small flow differences as a guide, not a ranking.
What's different
| Graco | Wagner | |
|---|---|---|
| Tips | RAC X SwitchTips: LP, FFLP, LTX and WideRAC | TradeTip 3 and HEA ProTip |
| Touch-up tools | Ultra QuickShot, Ultra cordless and corded handhelds | Not in our Wagner range |
| Fine finish | Piston sprayers in low mode with FFLP tips | SuperFinish diaphragm sprayers as well as ProSpray |
| Heavy coatings | Ultra 795 and 1095 XT, Mark V XT, GMAX II petrol | ProSpray 3.31 and up, HeavyCoat 950 E, Titan PowrTwin petrol |
| Handpiece filter colours | Red 200, blue 100, black 60, grey 30 mesh | Red 180, yellow 100, white 50, green 30 mesh |
| Stock with us | Checked daily. In stock means ready to ship. | Coming soon. Email us for a quote. |
HEA is Wagner's low pressure system. Graco's low pressure option is its LP and FFLP tip range. Both are made to spray at lower pressure than standard tips, which means less overspray and longer tip and pump life.
Running both in one fleet
Plenty of crews do. Keep each brand's tips, guards and filters labelled and in separate kits. Tips aren't swappable without the right guard, and the filter mesh colours don't match between brands, so a mixed-up filter is an easy way to block a fine finish tip on a Monday morning.
Can I swap tips between them?
Not without the right guard. Each brand's tips are made for its own guard system, and guard threads differ. Email us your handpiece model and we'll check what fits.
Where does Titan fit?
Titan is distributed in Australia by Wagner. On Wagner's Australian price list, Titan is mostly petrol, pneumatic and line marking sprayers. Wagner's ProSpray range covers the 230V electric sizes. The Titan PowrTwin petrol range and the Elite 3500, for sites with no power, are coming soon too.
Which should I buy?
- Your crew already runs Graco tips, guards and handpieces? Stay with Graco. Your spares fit and your painters know the setup.
- Your crew already runs Wagner gear? Same logic. Stay with Wagner.
- Starting a business or a new fleet? Pick by max tip first (see how to choose a sprayer), then by price, parts lead time and who services it near you. See service agents.
Wagner sprayers are coming soon. Email us for a quote.