7 Best Automotive Paint Guns For Beginners (2023 Reviews)

DeWalt is well known for affordable, high quality pneumatic tools for almost every home renovation project you can think of. The DeWalt HVLP Spray gun is just the gun and one more tool. However, it is a tool worthy of beginners and pros alike. 

This 600cc gravity feed spray guns paint cup sits atop a stainless steel, easy-squeeze trigger gun. Gravity feed gun doesn’t have as many adjustment knobs as the harder-to-use Fuji M-Model, making gravity feed gun simple to learn and use. 

Unlike that Fuji model, though, gravity feed model doesn’t covert to a suction fed gun and back again.  

With a capacity of up to 29 PSI and multiple nozzle sizes available, you can virtually apply paint with this gravity feed paint gun. From varnishes and acrylics to top clear coats after base coats, bed liners and latex paints all paint flow effortlessly from gravity feed gun tip. 

Clean-up is made a little easier with the paint gun being made from stainless steel and the paint cup, too. However, many little pieces need to be removed, disassembled, and hand scrubbed. The per-use maintenance is higher with the DeWalt model than other automotive paint guns, but the trade-off is worth it. 

For a fraction of the cost of other HVLP guns, the added maintenance is a fair trade-off. On top of the performance, this more paint spray gun is also one of the lightest HVLP spray gun on the market. And being from DeWalt, these paint guns come with a standard 3-year warranty that is hard to beat. 

TCP Global offers one of the most complete and inclusive beginner spray gun kit out there. This 9 piece spray gun kit (auto paint sprayer kit) includes three paint automotive paint guns, all gravity fed, three paint cups, three additional line filters, a cleaning tool in cleaning kit like cleaning brush, pressure regulator, and wrenches—everything you need for a complete painting project. 

Instead of a standard paint gun setup where you constantly change nozzles and paint cups to complete your project, you can simply change paint guns with this setup. These paint guns can save money and time as you can easily set up one paint spray gun with your primer, one with the base coats, and the detail automotive spray gun with the top coat. 

Each paint spray gun is slightly different, with the smallest gun using a 1.0mm nozzle and a 150cc paint cup. It is ideal for minor touch-ups or thin paints covering small areas. The primer gun uses a 1.4mm nozzle and has a 1-liter stainless steel paint cup. 

The final gun also has a 1-liter cup, but uses a 1.8mm nozzle for top clear coats after base coats, varnishes, and other similar paints. The biggest draw, though, is the pressure regulator. The regulator is adjustable from 0 to 180 PSI (which runs between 29 and 50 PSI under load). 

It can also lock in place, so once you get the pressure to an ideal setting, you can lock that pressure and not have to worry about pressure dropping or increasing, creating overspray and splatter. 

The downside is that these are mid-range spray guns. They will get the job done and are perfect paint gun for beginners. Experts, professionals, and daily users will find the paint guns a little lacking, though. There aren’t many other adjustments you can make, and if you want a different nozzle, you are out of luck. 

For the price, though, you get three paint guns and everything you need (except the hoses and compressor) to paint an entire car. With a minimal 1-year warranty and iffy customer service, you are almost on your own. However, it is a chance worth taking for anyone with a desire to start painting jobs. 

If you need to paint your car or truck and are on a budget, you can save money for higher quality paints and opt for this cost-effect and highly budget-friendly paint gun from PNTGREEN. The H827 model is a mid-range quality paint gun and an entry-level price. 

For the cost of a quart of automotive paint, you can own this HVLP gravity fed paint gun that comes complete with a 600cc plastic paint cup, adjustable pressure control, and a 1.4mm tip nozzle. For a small added bonus, PNTGREEN also includes a key chain shaped like a miniature paint gun. 

The automotive spray gun itself is simple to use and is ideal paint gun for beginners. It doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles that other models and brands have. Instead, the focus is on usability and lower maintenance. 

The paint cup and nozzles come off easily and can be cleaned, by hand, fairly quickly. Spraying mineral spirits or paint thinner through the paint gun will also clean the internal components. Complete instructions are also included, though they may not be as thorough or easy to follow as you would like. 

The only downside to this paint gun for beginners is that there isn’t a warranty. PNTGREEN sells direct to consumers and doesn’t offer a warranty. However, they do offer a 30-day return where you can get a replacement paint gun or a refund. 

Once you have the system type you prefer to use, you need to select the astro spray gun type. There are two spray guns or two guns types of automotive paint guns to choose from, suction and gravity fed. Each of these paint guns have advantages and disadvantages that we will look at now. 

Your entire system setup will be determined by how you plan to use it. Of course, you are here because you need to paint a vehicle. But there are different needs. For example, painting as a touch-up will require a lower pressure and smoother application. 

However, if you want to paint to cover rust and corrosion, you will need a spray gun capable of thicker paints and more pressure. Scratch and dent repairs will also require their own style. 

For the beginner, though, there are setups capable of handling more than a single application type, as long you know what your primary focus is. 

Another important consideration is the power source. There are two primary sources, again each with their own set of pros and cons. Air-powered or electric powered? You decide. 

As with most other paint products, there are additional items you need to make the paint spray guns work. Nozzles are required for many different reasons and, of course, air hoses and compressors (if needed) to make the systems work. 

Paint sprayers have a relatively high maintenance level compared to other household tools.

You must clean them thoroughly after every use. This includes after a long break. Depending on the type of paint used, you may need to completely clean and refill after a short interval of an hour. 

Paint thinner and mineral water are two cleaning products you should always have on hand. If you fail to clean the gun and nozzles properly, the paint will harden, and you will need to have it professionally cleaned or, worse, forced to buy a new one. 

Control of the balanced spray pattern, amount of paint, and lower pressure are all critical to a successful project. Not only does the spray gun size aid in control, but you also need to look for models with multiple adjustments. 

Pressure, speed, fan width, and others can all be controlled when using the spray gun and sprayer system. The easier the controls are for you, the better your project will come out. 

Of course, one of the most important things is to use the right paint. Not only does the paint have to be automotive grade and match your vehicle, but it also needs to be compatible with the spray gun, cup, and nozzle. Matching all of these can be difficult but isn’t as hard as one would imagine.