3M Paint Spray Systems

3M Paint Spray Systems: Engineering the Future of the Paint Booth

When it comes to paint spray systems, few names carry the weight of innovation that 3M does. The company didn't just improve on existing paint application technology — it reinvented the category entirely. From the world's first disposable spray cup system to a next-generation performance spray gun engineered with input from kinesiologists, 3M's paint spray lineup is purpose-built for professional collision repair technicians, automotive refinishers, and industrial painters who demand consistency, efficiency, and quality in every coat.

The 3M™ PPS™ System: The Original Disposable Spray Cup

3M's PPS (Paint Preparation System) was the industry's first disposable spray cup system, setting the worldwide standard for versatility and dependability. The PPS system of cups, adapters, lids, and liners revolutionized painting: it works with nearly any paint gun and eliminates the extra time, mess, and wasted material associated with using separate cups for mixing and painting.

The evolution of that breakthrough is the 3M™ PPS™ Series 2.0. PPS Series 2.0 is the culmination of more than 15 years of painter feedback and a true next-generation all-in-one disposable painting system that produces cleaner jobs, saves on paint consumption, and reduces solvent usage by up to 70%. Key engineering improvements include a redesigned cup-to-gun connection: a 4-point connection adds stability from the cup to the gun, hard outer cups now have mix ratios printed directly on them to allow all mixing and measuring to take place inside the cup and liner, and a built-in access window allows painters to check paint level and hold the liner while removing the lid for quick, clean refilling or tinting.

One of the most practical advantages of the PPS Series 2.0 is its closed-system design. Because PPS Series 2.0 is a closed system, painters can spray in any orientation up to a full 360 degrees, allowing them to spray consistently at 90° to the part no matter how it is positioned — making material transfer more consistent, limiting overspray, and reducing paint consumption. A wide range of adapters are available for virtually every spray gun to be used with the PPS Series 2.0 spray cup system.

3M™ Accuspray™ and Performance Spray Guns

3M pairs its PPS cup system with a family of advanced spray guns built to match. The 3M™ Accuspray™ ONE Spray Gun System features replaceable, disposable atomizing heads. Atomizing heads are available in 1.3 mm and 1.4 mm sizes for sealers, primer surfacers, basecoats, and topcoats; a 1.8 mm size for higher-viscosity materials such as primer and gel coats; and a 2.0 mm size for heavy-duty applications using fluids like adhesives, undercoats, or industrial coatings.

For shops seeking the pinnacle of performance, the 3M™ Performance Spray Gun takes things further. Its patent-pending replaceable nozzle system comes in six sizes from 1.2 to 2.0 to spray a full range of high-performance automotive coatings, including solid colors, pearls, metallics, clear coats, sealers, and primers. By engineering the spray gun body from an impact-resistant, stainless steel-reinforced composite material, 3M reduced its weight by up to 50% compared to traditional metal spray guns without compromising durability. From the body to the trigger, the Performance Spray Gun was optimized by kinesiologists to fit comfortably in the hand, all while delivering best-in-class spray performance.

With an integrated system that includes quick-change replaceable nozzles and PPS Series 2.0 Spray Cups, paint never passes through the spray gun body — meaning no paint gunking up internal components, no disassembling the spray gun or soaking in solvent, and no cross-contamination putting a job at risk. The latest iteration, the 3M™ Performance Spray Gun 2, adds further refinements: laser-marked control knobs provide visual indication of spray settings for precise adjustments and consistent results, while the redesigned trigger offers improved comfort.

Why 3M Paint Spray Systems Stand Apart

• Closed-system design: Spray at any angle, up to 360°, with no leaks or spills.
• Solvent savings: PPS is an all-in-one disposable painting system that produces cleaner jobs, saves on paint consumption, and reduces solvent usage by up to 70%.
• Universal compatibility: A wide range of adapters available for virtually every spray gun on the market.
• Lightweight durability: Impact-resistant composite gun bodies engineered for all-day use.
• Reduced contamination: Because the painter uses a new disposable lid and liner for each mix, there is less risk of outside contamination, and using a fresh lid and liner with each paint job often improves overall productivity in prep and clean-up time by as much as 50%.