Choosing the Right Paint Gun for Your Needs: A Guide

As a painter, paint representative, and paint enthusiast, one of the most common questions I receive is about the best paint gun or which one someone should get. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, it’s important to understand the various spraying options available and how they might suit your needs. Before we dive into the different types of paint guns, let’s take a moment to clarify some terminology and factors to consider when purchasing a paint gun.

High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) guns: These are the most common paint guns and are known for their versatility, as they can handle a wide range of product applications very well. HVLP guns offer a much better transfer efficiency than conventional spray guns.

Compliant guns: These are similar to HVLP guns, but they generate more air pressure at the tip (aircap) of the spray gun. This results in a finer atomization and is usually most practical for clearcoat application. Some manufacturers have their own proprietary technology for compliant guns, such as SATA’s Reduced Pressure (RP) guns. These guns maintain a high transfer efficiency but are not considered HVLP.

Gravity feed/siphon feed guns: Gravity feed guns are the most common type used in automotive refinishing, as the product flows from the cup mounted at the top of the gun. Siphon feed guns are not practical for use in automotive refinish.

Tip size: The proper tip size for the product being applied is crucial for getting good results with a spray gun. The most common sizes in automotive refinish are 1.3 for either basecoat or clearcoat, but it can vary greatly depending on the product. Primers will require a larger tip size, such as 1.6 or 1.8.

Now that we’ve covered some of the basics, let’s take a look at some specific paint guns and their features.

Devilbiss Tekna/Tekna Prolite: These sprayguns are known for their versatility and are available in a few different colors and styles. The Tekna Prolite is a more compact version of the gun but delivers the same results as the regular Tekna. Devilbiss is one of the few manufacturers that sell their guns in kits with several different tip sizes and aircaps included. The great thing about these guns is that you can change them from HVLP to compliant simply by changing the aircap. They are well-built and will last a long time, although the Devilbiss baffle design (which is consistent across their spraying lineup) can be a bit annoying during teardown and cleanup if not handled carefully.

Devilbiss Tekna Primer/Basecoat/Clear Gun: Devilbiss has also created a lineup of guns specifically designed for certain tasks. All of these guns have a spray pattern that is similar to the Tekna Prolite, with the primer gun featuring an aircap that produces a slightly different pattern. The primer gun delivers product well with minimal overspray at the edge of the application, and it can also be outfitted with UV primer attachments that generally require a smaller tip size such as 1.1 or 1.2. The basecoat gun delivers good metallic control at a lower air pressure than the regular Tekna. The operating pressure of the Tekna Basecoat gun is around 16psi, which is about 10psi less than the Tekna or most other guns. The Tekna Clearcoat gun offers a much wetter core than the other guns in this lineup, allowing for the clearcoat to go down extremely wet for quick application. This does come at the cost of atomization, but it is

still a popular choice for a clearcoat gun. All of these guns feature a similar construction with a detachable ring behind the aircap, rather than a machine metal fit like many competitors. Some other great guns by Devilbiss are the “Plus” for clear or the “GTI” for basecoat/sealers, although these are not as popular as they once were, they are still great guns.

Iwata WS400 (Clear) / LS400: The Iwata WS400 is a personal favorite clearcoat gun of mine, and it is known for its fine atomization and ability to lay down a very wet coat of clear. It is also very lightweight, making it easy to use for long periods of time. The LS400 is the basecoat version of this gun and is also known for its fine atomization and ability to handle metallic colors well. These guns are more expensive than some of the other options, but they are well-built and will last a long time with proper care.

SATAjet 4000 B RP / SATAminijet 4 RP: These guns are known for their high transfer efficiency and are a popular choice among professionals. The SATAjet 4000 B RP is a compliant gun that is suitable for clearcoat application, while the SATAminijet 4 RP is a HVLP gun that can handle a wide range of product applications. Both guns are well-built and offer a consistent spray pattern, although the SATAminijet has a smaller cup size which may be a drawback for some users.

Choosing the right paint gun for your needs will depend on a variety of factors, including the products you will be applying, your level of experience, and your budget. It’s always a good idea to do some research and try out different guns to see which one works best for you. No matter which gun you choose, proper maintenance and care will help ensure that it lasts for a long time and delivers consistent results.