Nozzle Tip Quick Reference
Every nozzle color, degrees, uses, and PSI impact explained
Last Updated: April 5, 2026
The wrong nozzle causes damage fast. Red 0° is destructive without care. Yellow 15° works great on concrete but destroys siding. Print this chart, keep it on your truck, and reference it before switching tips.
Complete Nozzle Chart
| Color | Degrees | Spray Pattern | Best For | AVOID On | PSI Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | 0° | Straight jet | Removing tough stains on concrete, rust removal, clearing clogged drains | Everything except concrete/metal. Can cut skin, damage wood, etch surfaces | Maximum PSI |
| Yellow | 15° | Narrow fan | Concrete cleaning, preparing surfaces for coating, stripping paint (carefully) | Wood, siding, vehicles, anything with a finish. Still aggressive | ~85-90% PSI |
| Green | 25° | Medium fan | General cleaning, siding, decks, fences, boats (hold distance!) | Delicate surfaces, painted surfaces if too close. Can still damage | ~70-75% PSI |
| White | 40° | Wide fan | House washing, vehicles, windows, delicate surfaces, rinsing | Heavy-duty cleaning. Won't cut through tough grime | ~50-60% PSI |
| Black | 65°+ (soap) | Very wide/low pressure | Applying chemicals, soap, cleaning solutions. Downstream injector use | Rinsing — too low pressure, just spreads chemicals around | ~25-30% PSI |
Detailed Breakdown
🔴 Red (0°) — Extreme Power
⚠️ DANGER: This tip concentrates all your machine's PSI into a fine stream. It can cut skin, damage siding, etch concrete, and destroy wood. Use with extreme caution.
- When to use: Oil stains, graffiti, rusted metal only
- Technique: Keep moving constantly. Never hold in one spot. Stay 6-12"away minimum
- Common mistake: Using on anything other than concrete or metal
🟡 Yellow (15°) — Heavy Duty Work
Still aggressive but more forgiving than red due to the fan pattern. Good for concrete prep and tough gunk. Keep away from painted or finished surfaces.
- When to use: Concrete cleaning, gum removal, surface prep before staining
- Technique: 4-8"from concrete. Stay further on delicate surfaces
- Common mistake: Using on wood decks. You'll damage the finish.
🟢 Green (25°) — Your Workhorse
Your go-to for most jobs. Strong enough to clean but the fan pattern reduces damage risk. Still demands respect — it can injure and damage.
- When to use: Siding, decks, fences, patio furniture, boats
- Technique: 3-6"distance for most surfaces. Sweep steadily for even results
- Common mistake: Getting too close to siding or painted surfaces
⚪ White (40°) — Safest Option
Your safest nozzle. Wide fan spreads pressure and reduces damage risk. Good for delicate surfaces and rinsing.
- When to use: House washing, vehicles, windows, rinsing, delicate surfaces
- Technique: Can work closer (2-4") but keep moving
- Common mistake: Expecting it to handle heavy-duty cleaning. It won't power through tough dirt.
⚫ Black (65°+) — Chemical Only
For applying chemicals, not cleaning. The large orifice creates venturi effect so downstream injectors can draw soap into the water stream.
- When to use: Applying house wash, roof cleaning solutions, any chemical
- Technique: Apply generously, let dwell per manufacturer directions, rinse with white
- Common mistake: Trying to clean with it. Too low pressure and you just push dirt around.
How PSI Changes by Nozzle
Your machine's PSI rating is just a starting point. Nozzle choice dramatically changes the actual pressure at the surface:
- 0° (Red): 100% of machine PSI concentrated into a tiny point
- 15° (Yellow): ~85-90% effective PSI with slight spread
- 25° (Green): ~70-75% effective PSI with medium spread
- 40° (White): ~50-60% effective PSI with wide spread
- 65° (Black): ~25-30% effective PSI — designed for chemical draw, not cleaning power
Remember: You can damage surfaces even at low effective PSI. Good technique matters more than raw numbers.
Job Site Quick Tips
Start with White
Always test with the 40° white tip first. You can step up to green if needed, but you can't undo damage.
Match Tip to Surface
When in doubt, use a wider fan. It's better to make a second pass than to damage the surface.
Respect the Red
The 0° red tip should be treated like a weapon. It can cause serious injury and property damage.
Use Black for Chemicals
Only the black tip creates enough draw for downstream injectors. Use it to apply, white to rinse.