Spray guns and applicators form a coating by directing atomized paints, adhesives, liquids or powders toward a surface. Atomization (wet spray) is a coating process using wet spray paint or fluid coating media where a spray gun directs a coating or paint aerosol toward the part's surface. The paint or coating aerosol is formed using a rotary (spinning disc or bell) atomizer, an ultrasonic atomizer or by forcing the media through a nozzle with pressure. Ultrasonic atomization processes use a transducer vibrating at ultrasonic frequencies to form a fine aerosol or mist of the coating material. Spray guns and applicators are also used in electrostatic powder coating systems, fluidized bed systems. 

Spray guns and applicators are used with both air and airless processes. Air spray guns atomize paint with compressed air. Forcing the paint particles into a high velocity air stream atomizes the particles into tiny droplets. The shape and paint density of the resulting droplet cloud can be controlled by air pressure, paint viscosity, and gun tip geometry. Air-assisted spray guns alter the paint pattern, but do not atomize the paint. Airless paint spraying uses high fluid pressure to atomize paint by forcing it through a small orifice. Because less air is used, airless paint spraying poses fewer dry spray and paint bounce-back problems than air-assisted spraying.

Spray guns and applicators form a coating by directing atomized paints, adhesives, liquids or powders toward a surface. Atomization (wet spray) is a coating process using wet spray paint or fluid coating media where a spray gun directs a coating or paint aerosol toward the part's surface. The paint or coating aerosol is formed using a rotary (spinning disc or bell) atomizer, an ultrasonic atomizer or by forcing the media through a nozzle with pressure. Ultrasonic atomization processes use a transducer vibrating at ultrasonic frequencies to form a fine aerosol or mist of the coating material. Spray guns and applicators are also used in electrostatic powder coating systems, fluidized bed systems. 

Spray guns and applicators are used with both air and airless processes. Air spray guns atomize paint with compressed air. Forcing the paint particles into a high velocity air stream atomizes the particles into tiny droplets. The shape and paint density of the resulting droplet cloud can be controlled by air pressure, paint viscosity, and gun tip geometry. Air-assisted spray guns alter the paint pattern, but do not atomize the paint. Airless paint spraying uses high fluid pressure to atomize paint by forcing it through a small orifice. Because less air is used, airless paint spraying poses fewer dry spray and paint bounce-back problems than air-assisted spraying.

Airbrush, mini-spray or micro-spray spray guns and applicators have very small nozzles and are used for detailing, touch-up and other precision applications. Reduced or low-pressure spray guns and applicators are designed to operate under reduced pressure, while not requiring high volumes of air flow. High velocity, low pressure (HVLP) spray guns atomize coatings by using a high volume of paint with low air pressure.  With HVLP spray equipment, the spray gun operates at between 0.1 and 10.0 psig. A turbine produces the high volume of air. The lower pressure reduces paint viscosity, which reduces bounce-back and increases deposition efficiency.

Rotary cup or disc spray guns and applicators use a rapidly spinning cup/bell or flat disc to project powders or atomize paint. Rotary cup or bell rotary applicators produce a fan pattern, which is closer to that of a nozzle spray gun. A shaped, rotating head delivers paint n a circular pattern. The bell may be directed at any angle, and can be moved on robots or reciprocators. Disc rotary applicators spin the coating media radially. Rotating heads that deliver paint horizontally, 360° around the head are used with loop conveyer finishing lines. Typically, a disk is mounted horizontally on a vertical reciprocator. Disc rotary spray guns are also suitable for inner diameter (ID) coating applications.