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July 03, 2026 3 min read
When it comes to spraying clear coat, everyone has a favorite spray gun. Ask ten painters what they use, and you'll probably get ten different answers.
After more than 40 years in the automotive refinishing industry, I've sprayed a lot of different equipment. Right now, my go-to gun for clear coat is the Devilbiss Tekna ProLite.
For this project, I was laying down a flow coat on the hood of my 1969 Chevrolet C10, and the Tekna ProLite reminded me once again why it has earned a permanent place in my paint booth.
Watch the Devilbiss Tekna ProLite lay down a flow coat on the hood of my '69 C10. You'll see the spray pattern, how the clear flows out, and the finish straight out of the gun before sanding and polishing.
Flow coating is the process of allowing fresh clear coat to cure, sanding the surface smooth, and then applying additional coats of clear. The goal is to create a flatter finish with enough film build to safely color sand and polish while achieving exceptional depth and gloss.
When done correctly, flow coating produces a finish that is noticeably smoother and more reflective than a standard clear coat application.
One of the things I appreciate most about the Tekna ProLite is how soft it sprays.
The atomization is extremely fine, allowing the clear coat to lay down evenly while maintaining excellent control over the wet edge. That makes it easier to achieve a smooth finish straight out of the gun and reduces the amount of sanding and polishing required later.
No spray gun is magic. Proper preparation, gun setup, air pressure, material choice, and technique all matter. But having a spray gun that delivers consistent atomization certainly makes the job easier.
The hood came out exactly the way I wanted.
Even before sanding and polishing, the finish was smooth, glossy, and extremely consistent across the entire panel. Once it's color sanded and polished, the depth and clarity will improve even further.
If you're looking for a professional-quality spray gun for automotive clear coat, the Devilbiss Tekna ProLite continues to be one of my top choices.
The following are the products I used during this project.
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I've sprayed a lot of different guns over the years, and the Devilbiss Tekna ProLite is my current favorite for clear coat.
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This site documents real builds, tools, and shop work from my own projects. Some pages are showcases. Some are how-tos and tool reviews. If you’re working on a project and want experienced guidance, I offer one-on-one coaching.