The Technical Function of Fat Caps
Fat caps large spray can tips are technically defined by their wide aperture, a design feature engineered to significantly increase paint output from the can. Unlike the fine, controlled stream of Skinny Caps, Fat caps create a broad, circular or slightly elliptical spray pattern. This allows a writer to cover large surface areas like walls or panels with fewer passes and in a fraction of the time. The increased flow rate atomizes the paint into a softer, more diffused cloud, which is ideal for creating smooth, even fills and soft-edged fades in pieces. The primary function of these specialized spray can nozzles is to trade fine-line precision for maximum speed and coverage, making them an indispensable tool for bombing and executing large-scale burners. This focus on wide application makes them a distinct category among all other Spray Caps.
Iconic Fat Caps: Pink Dot & NY Fat
Within the world of Fat caps, certain models have achieved iconic status due to their specific performance characteristics. The Pink Fat, often called the "Pink Dot," is the industry-standard all-rounder. It delivers a clean, consistent, and wide line (approx. 4-6 cm) with a relatively sharp edge, making it versatile for both fast fills and bold outlines. It is frequently the stock cap on high-pressure cans. In contrast, the legendary NY Fat is revered for its solid, opaque, and slightly smaller line (approx. 4 cm). It produces a more compact and perfectly rounded spray, offering a unique balance of width and control that many writers prefer for clean outlines or powerful tags. Its performance is so distinctive that it has become a benchmark, representing a timeless standard of quality and reliability for all writers.
Choosing the Right Fat Cap for Fills
Selecting the correct Fat caps depends on the scale and speed required for the fill-in. For medium-sized areas, a standard cap like the Pink Fat provides a good balance of width and paint consumption. For larger pieces or entire panels, a Super Fat Cap from our Super Fat Caps collection is technically superior. These ultra-wide wide spray nozzles are engineered with an even larger aperture to deliver the maximum possible paint output from high-pressure Montana Hardcore 400 ml cans. The resulting spray can reach widths of 15 cm or more, drastically reducing the time needed to complete a fill. This makes them the tool of choice for executing large blockbusters or whole cars where covering the maximum area in the minimum time is the primary technical objective.
Spray Can & Fat Cap Compatibility
Technical compatibility between the spray can valve and the Fat caps is critical for proper function. The vast majority of modern European Graffiti spray caps, including all models in this selection, are "male" caps. This means they have a small stem that inserts into the "female" valve on the can. Brands like Montana Colors use this female valve system, ensuring universal compatibility with products like the Montana Nitro 2G. However, some older spray cans may feature a "male" valve (a stem sticking out), which is incompatible. Understanding this male/female valve system is essential for any writer to ensure their gear works seamlessly together and to avoid frustrating compatibility issues on the spot.
Fat Caps and Paint Consumption
A direct technical consequence of using Fat caps is significantly increased paint consumption. The high-output design that enables fast coverage works by releasing a greater volume of paint per second compared to a standard cap like the Lego Cap. A Super Fat Cap paired with high-flow Action Spray Cans like the Molotow Burner 600 can empty a can in under a minute. This is not a defect but a deliberate engineering trade-off: speed for volume. Writers must account for this increased consumption when planning a piece, often allocating more cans for fill-ins than for outlines. This strategic resource management is a key skill for any large-scale bombing action.
Cleaning and Reusing Your Fat Caps
Proper maintenance is essential to preserve the performance and lifespan of the best fat caps. The most technically effective method for removing fresh paint buildup is using a dedicated cleaning solvent. The process is immediate: simply attach the clogged cap to a can of Montana PRO Solvent and apply a short burst. The powerful solvent jet forces residue out of the internal channel, restoring the original spray output and its precision. This technique is more effective than the common method of turning a paint can upside down to spray only gas, as the solvent actively dissolves the paint. It is a crucial practice for preserving the integrity of professional-grade spray can nozzles like the robust Hardcore Fat. Caps cleaned this way can be reused multiple times with no performance loss, a key practice for any writer looking to maximize the reliability of their tools.
