Which paint gun should I choose?

Need to repaint your car, restore the shine to your bodywork or clearcoat your car or motorbike? A paint spray gun is the perfect tool for the job. But be warned: paint spray guns come in a wide range of specifications and are tailored to very specific needs. In any case, if you choose the right tool for your bodywork, you'll save precious time: your result will be clean, and as quickly as possible.

Which paint spray gun should I choose?

Choosing the right paint spray gun is not necessarily an easy task. Paint spray guns have undergone many changes over time: the first ones date back to the 1900s (1905 to be precise). You should also be aware that the choice of spray gun has multiple components: you'll often need to choose a paint gun, but also one for Clearcoat and another for primer. Another option is to change the Nozzle. This saves money while still achieving a good result.
Speaking of savings, you should know that Carross stocks a wide range of brands at a wide range of prices.
Sata, Devillbiss, Iwata, Sata, Smart... You're spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the ideal paint spray gun! Below are some examples of quality paint spray guns for everyday use in the bodywork shop.

How do I adjust the paint spray gun?

The spray pattern is adjusted to suit the bodywork you'll be doing. On many paint spray guns, you can use the knob on the side of the gun to adjust the shape and power of the spray. There are, of course, certain recommendations to be followed depending on the brand of paint. For example, you'll find below all the recommendations for brands of paint and SATA spray guns.
Whatever the product you use (solvent-based or water-based), quality paint spray guns can be adapted to any type of product. But remember to prepare the bodywork surface well before you start your bodywork touch-up. This will prevent any smudges or defects at the end.

How do I choose a paint spray gun?

There are two ways of choosing a paint spray gun:

By brand: If you're used to working with a particular brand of spray gun, it's important to use the recommendations table on the relevant website to find out which type of nozzle to use for which brand of product:

 

Nozzle 1.2 : applying water-based paint or Clearcoat

Nozzle 1.4 : for applying solvent-based paint or Clearcoat

Nozzles 1.8 to 2: applying primer

 

By type of work: there are different paint spray guns depending on the type of work to be carried out. If you're new to bodywork, we recommend using a semi-professional paint spray gun, which costs much less than a professional. What's more, it's particularly light, so it's easy to use.

If you're a professional, we recommend a premium paint spray gun. These paint spray guns have a high transfer rate thanks to their low-pressure technology.

How to use a paint spray gun

The paint gun is applied sideways, usually from left to right. The important thing is to stabilise your arm and the movement you are going to make when spraying. Hold the paint gun straight and at right angles to even out the application. This will help you avoid drips. Engaging the gun is simple. Plug in the air, then pour the chosen body paint or Clearcoat into the cup. But be careful! Don't put too much product in the cup. The paint gun is great for saving time, but is also ideal for touching up.

HVLP spray gun

HVLP spray guns are ultra-economical: HVLP spray guns have transmission rates
with their low-pressure technology. And with good reason: HVLP technology stands for Haut Volume Basse Pression. This technology is popular with both private individuals and professionals who want to apply waterborne, i.e. water-based, paints. The HVLP paint spray gun reduces the fog that often occurs with more conventional technology. It can also achieve a transfer rate of over 75%.

Be careful, however, not to set the pressure too low, as this can lead to defects or a poor quality finish.

How do I clean my paint spray gun?

Paint spray guns can be cleaned with Thinner or a universal cleaning product using a suitable spray gun brush, which is often supplied in the kit. There are several different sizes of Nozzle depending on the product to be applied. We recommend that you consult the technical data sheet before starting work.

How do I maintain my paint spray gun?

The first thing to do is not to let the paint inside the gun dry out. This could accelerate wear and tear, leading to breakage. Secondly, don't use cleaners containing acetone.

What should I look for in a paint spray gun?

Noise can quickly become annoying when you use a paint spray gun all day long.
Some Nozzles are quieter than others thanks to optimised flow geometry.
- Precision: The more precise your spray gun is, the more precise the end result will be. Check the product distribution carefully: you need symmetry and a fineness of application that suits you.

- Maintenance: Some spray guns do not require an air distribution ring, for example.

- Efficiency: Some paint spray guns are more economical than others, so check this factor carefully!

Sata paint spray guns

Let's take the Sata brand as an example. Sata paint spray guns come with a wide range of nozzles to suit all types of work. Some Sata spray guns are designed for paint, hydro paint or Clearcoat. Sata spray guns have an optimised air flow in the gun body, which reduces the noise level, giving the bodybuilder a tool that is pleasant to use during bodywork. Take the Satajet B F RP Sata, for example. The Satajet B F RP Sata has an air consumption of 290 Nl/min (10.3 cfm). Carross recommends a gun inlet pressure of 1.5 - 2.0 bar.

Paint gun accessories

In this section, you'll find all the paint spray guns you need to apply your paint products. If you need more equipment, you'll also find accessories. You'll also find all our air blowers and cartridge spray guns. In the spray gun accessories section, you'll find nozzle kits, supports, rigid buckets and pressure gauges.