How to Use Paint Gun: Setup and Spraying Basics
Setup, spraying and cleanup for a paint gun: pick the nozzle, set the air pressure, spray thin overlapping coats and clean the gun before the paint dries.
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Learning how to use paint gun equipment comes down to a short routine: pick the nozzle for the coating, set the air pressure, hold the gun square to the panel and move it in steady, overlapping passes. A paint gun sprays a fan of paint from a cup through a nozzle with compressed air, and this guide walks through setup, spraying and cleanup, step by step.
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Below: the parts of a paint gun, the setup steps, how to lay down a coat, and the cleanup that keeps the gun spraying next time.
How to use paint gun: the parts
The automotive spray guns named in this guide have a cup that holds the paint, a nozzle and needle that meter it, an air cap that shapes the fan, a trigger, and knobs for air, fluid and fan width. They are gravity-feed guns, with the cup on top, and the paint flows down into the nozzle while compressed air from the compressor atomizes it. Nozzle size decides what the gun sprays well: the BENTOHKLE listing pairs a 1.3mm nozzle with premium coat and clear coat, a 1.7mm nozzle with base coat and primer, and a 2.0mm nozzle with primer and sealant. The KCNKCN and SRQLNTT listings offer 5 nozzle sizes from 1.4mm to 3.0mm, so the same gun can spray base coat, clear coat and primer by swapping the nozzle and the matching needle.
| Gun | Nozzles | Working pressure | Fan width |
|---|---|---|---|
| BENTOHKLE LVLP | 1.3, 1.7, 2.0mm | 2.0 to 3.5 bar | Up to 280mm |
| KCNKCN HVLP | 1.4, 1.7, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0mm | 2.5 to 3.5 bar | 240mm |
| SRQLNTT HVLP | 1.4, 1.7, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0mm | 2.5 to 3.5 bar | 240mm |
| PANERGYRIC HVLP | 1.7, 2.0, 2.5mm | Not stated | Not stated |
| Hotorda HVLP, 2-gun set | 1.0, 1.4mm | Not stated | Not stated |
Set up the gun and the air
Start with clean, dry air. The BENTOHKLE kit includes an air regulator and an oil-water separator, and the KCNKCN kit includes a 2-in-1 air regulator with a filter, so water and oil from the compressor line stay out of the paint. Hook the gun to the compressor with the quick connector, set the working pressure at the regulator, and check the range the gun lists: the BENTOHKLE listing states a working pressure of 2.0 to 3.5 bar, while the KCNKCN and SRQLNTT listings state 2.5 to 3.5 bar. Air use matters too: the BENTOHKLE gun draws 3.0 to 3.9 cfm, and the KCNKCN gun draws 275 L/min, so the compressor must keep up with the gun or the fan will sag. Fill the cup: the Hotorda set includes two cups, one of them 600ml, the PANERGYRIC, Aflybltol and SRQLNTT listings use a 600ml cup, and the KCNKCN listing uses a 1000cc cup. Keep paint out of the air cap threads.
Spray the panel
Hold the gun square to the surface and keep it moving. Start each pass before the panel edge and release the trigger after it, so paint does not pile up at the ends, and overlap each pass so the coat stays even, with no dry stripe between passes. The fan width on the listings runs up to 240mm on the KCNKCN and SRQLNTT guns and up to 280mm on the BENTOHKLE gun, and the PANERGYRIC nozzle cap turns 360 degrees to change the fan direction. Spray in thin coats and let each coat flash off before the next, rather than laying a heavy coat that runs. Wear a paint-spray respirator and keep the garage door open or a fan moving air. If the gun sputters, check the cup level, the nozzle for a partial blockage, and the air supply.
Clean the gun when you finish
Clean the gun before the paint dries in it. Empty the cup, run cleaner through the gun until it sprays clear, then take the cap and nozzle off with the wrench the kit includes and brush the paint chamber out: the Aflybltol listing describes exactly that, and says to blast out lingering water with compressed air and leave the gun disassembled to dry. The Hotorda kit includes a brush cleaning tool kit, and the KCNKCN kit includes brushes and a fine hole cleaning needle set. Wipe the needle and nozzle, and store the gun with the cup off so air can move through it.
Wear eye protection with every air tool, use impact-rated sockets on impact wrenches, disconnect the air line before changing accessories, and finish lug nuts with a torque wrench to the vehicle's spec. See OSHA eye and face protection. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Common mistakes
- Spraying a heavy coat that runs: thin coats dry flat, while a heavy coat sags and runs. Let each coat flash off before the next.
- Holding the gun at an angle: a tilted gun lays the fan unevenly, heavy on the near side and thin on the far side. Hold it square to the panel and keep the distance steady.
- Running a gun the compressor cannot feed: the BENTOHKLE gun draws 3.0 to 3.9 cfm and the KCNKCN gun draws 275 L/min, so a compressor that cannot keep up will starve the fan.
- Leaving paint in the gun: paint dries fast in a nozzle and needle. Clean the gun before it dries, and leave it disassembled to dry, as the Aflybltol listing describes.
- Skipping the filter: dirt in the cup ends up in the coat. The KCNKCN kit includes a filter, and the PANERGYRIC kit includes filter paper, so use them.
FAQ: garage tools
What pressure should a paint gun run at?
Set it at the regulator to the range the gun lists: the BENTOHKLE listing states 2.0 to 3.5 bar, and the KCNKCN and SRQLNTT listings state 2.5 to 3.5 bar. Start at the low end of the range and raise it only if the fan looks starved.
What nozzle size do I need for primer?
On the BENTOHKLE listing, primer takes a wider nozzle than clear coat: a 1.7mm nozzle pairs with base coat and primer and a 2.0mm nozzle with primer and sealant, against a 1.3mm nozzle for premium coat and clear coat. The KCNKCN and SRQLNTT listings offer 5 nozzle sizes from 1.4mm to 3.0mm, and the SRQLNTT listing says that set handles primers and high-viscosity materials, so the wider sizes in the set are the ones for primer and heavier coatings. The KCNKCN gun ships with a 1.4mm nozzle installed.
Can I use a paint gun with a small compressor?
It depends on the gun’s air use. The BENTOHKLE listing states low air consumption of 3.0 to 3.9 cfm and says the gun can be used with small to medium-sized air compressors. Check the gun’s air use against the compressor’s output before you start, and see the what CFM air tools need guide and the best stand-up air compressor picks.
How do I clean a paint gun?
Empty the cup and run cleaner through the gun until it sprays clear, then remove the cap and nozzle with the wrench, brush out the paint chamber, blast out lingering water with compressed air and leave the gun disassembled to dry, as the Aflybltol listing describes. The best HVLP spray gun cleaning kit picks cover the brushes and needles the job needs.
What is the difference between HVLP and LVLP?
Both are low-pressure spray systems, and the BENTOHKLE listing says its LVLP gun delivers smooth, even atomization while reducing overspray and paint waste, and claims professional-quality finishes with improved transfer efficiency over HVLP. The KCNKCN and SRQLNTT listings claim up to 65% transfer efficiency for their HVLP guns, with paint savings of up to 20% on the KCNKCN listing and over 20% on the SRQLNTT listing. See the HVLP vs conventional spray gun comparison for the wider trade offs.
Related: the best paint gun LVLP picks, the best HVLP spray gun for home garage picks, the HVLP vs gravity feed spray gun comparison and the best spray gun for coating picks. See every air tools guide.
