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The world of spray guns can feel overwhelming at first—but worry not! In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of paint guns available, helping you choose the right tool for your next painting project. Let’s dive in!

Manual vs. Automatic Paint Guns

Before we look into specific models, it’s important to understand that spray guns generally fall into two main categories:

• Manual Spray Guns – These guns provide precise control over the spray pattern and paint flow. They are best suited for detailed work, smaller projects, or for those just starting out with spray painting.

• Automatic Spray Guns – These guns automate the paint feed, eliminating the need for continuous trigger pulling. This results in faster application and reduced operator fatigue, making them ideal for larger or high-production tasks.

For a more detailed comparison between the two, check out our blog: Manual vs. Automatic Paint Guns.

Airless Spray Guns

These high-pressure systems do not rely on air to atomize paint. Instead, a powerful pump forces the paint through a small nozzle at extremely high velocity, creating a fine mist. Airless spray guns are valued for their efficiency and ability to handle thicker coatings such as latex paints or primers. They’re ideal for large-scale projects that require heavy coverage, such as painting exterior walls, fences, or decks. (Hitto Diaphragm Sprayer)

Still unsure or want a solid foundation before deciding? Check out our full guide: All About Spray Guns for a deeper dive into how each type works.

Air-Assisted Airless Spray Guns

This type combines the strength of airless technology with the precision of compressed air. An air cap introduces a controlled amount of air around the paint stream, offering greater control and a smoother finish. These guns are a great option for projects that need a balance of speed and detail, such as painting interior walls, ceilings, or large furniture pieces.

Electrostatic Spray Guns

Electrostatic technology uses electrical charges to attract paint particles directly to the target surface. The charged particles wrap around the object, significantly reducing overspray and paint waste. Known for their outstanding efficiency, electrostatic spray guns are widely used in professional applications—such as automotive painting, metal finishing, and high-quality furniture coatings. They excel at delivering smooth, even finishes while conserving paint, making them a top choice for precision car painting with minimal material loss.

HVLP Spray Guns

HVLP stands for High Volume, Low Pressure. These spray guns use a large volume of air at lower pressure to atomize the paint. The result is a softer spray pattern that’s ideal for delicate applications or when working with water-based paints that require less force for proper atomization. HVLP spray guns are a great choice for detailed work or projects where minimizing overspray is essential.

LVLP Spray Guns

These spray guns are known as Low Volume, Low Pressure guns. Similar to HVLP guns, they use a low volume of air at a low pressure. They offer the greatest control and use the least amount of paint, which makes them ideal for detailed work with minimal overspray. LVLP spray guns are perfect for applying delicate finishes on furniture, cabinets, and intricate woodwork projects.