Paint Guns vs Airbrushes

Are they different at all?...

... Technically, the answer is Yes and No.

Paint guns and airbrushes serve the exact same function - they both atomize and spray paint.

What makes them different is their applications...

Airbrushes are used for detail work because they have a much smaller spray pattern that a spray gun and offer a lot finer control.

Spray guns are used when you want to cover a large surface area. They are perfect for this type of application because they can cover a lot of ground in short order - neatly and smoothly.

Typically, spray guns have large gravity fed reservoirs to hold the large volumes of paint they spray. Also, the trigger of the gun is typically mounted on the bottom and actuated using the "trigger finger" much like that of a pistol (which is why they are called guns!).

The trigger also tends to be simpler than the dual action airbrush trigger. Pulling the trigger slightly back initiates air flow and pulling back further starts the paint flow. The farther the trigger is pulled back, the greater the volume of paint sprayed.

The mechanics of spray guns and airbrushes are, for the most part, exactly the same. Both have needles that regulate the flow rate of paint, both have paint reservoirs, and both have triggers. The only mechanical difference is that a paint gun is much larger.

It is important to note, however, that just because spray guns have large spray patterns it does not mean that you can't achieve some really cool effects with them.

They are ideal for painting large graduations in color - say you wanted to paint the hood of a car yellow fading slowly to red - a spray gun would be perfect for that because the large spray pattern allows for a more gradual transition.

Also, you can mask or tape areas and use a spray gun to apply paint over top - this is how "old school" flames are done...

... simply spray a base color, mask the whole surface, lay out and cut out the flame design and remove the positive part of the stencil (the flames) and paint over the exposed area with a contrasting color. Or, you can get creative and paint graduating colored flames.

Spray guns are a must have for any artist painting large scale - murals and custom cars being the top applications.