Tool Review: SATAminijet 4400 B

Eric Shaffer, owner of Browns Auto Body Werks in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, has done collision work since 2004. He began his career at Browns and purchased the shop three years ago. Painting and refinishing are frequent tasks for Shaffer and his technicians. He learned quickly that a mediocre paint gun won’t cut it in the long run.

“It comes down to atomization of product, function, … and overall usability,” Shaffer says. “I'm not saying that you can’t get a good result with an [inexpensive] gun ... but what’s the longevity of it?”

He says the 4400 B is a “small gun with a huge impact,” adding that the tool is “versatile, easy to clean, and can achieve spot repairs quickly with a flawless finish.”

The SATAminijet 4400 B arrived at Shaffer’s shop with all the necessary parts and accessories. He was pleased with the unit’s high-quality packaging, additional gun tools, and RPS (Rapid Preparation System) cups. Before use, Shaffer placed a high flow air fitting on the unit and filled the SATA RPS cup. He said the paint gun fit in the palm of his hand and was easy to spray.

“What most people don’t know [about the 4400 B] is it’s really versatile; you can use it in the paint booth for a base coat, you can put clear coat on with it, even down to priming small areas,” Shaffer says. “So really, you can use it in every aspect of the business. You’re not going to spray a bus with it; you’re not going to spray a whole truck. That’s not what it’s for. But if you’re focusing on spot repair or something small that you just need to get done, it’s the perfect tool.”

Shaffer also uses the gun as a UV primer, urethane primer, and sealer, in addition to base coat and clear coat applications. He notes the product fits all three sizes of SATA RPS cups, just like a full-size gun.

For Shaffer, the SATAminijet 4400 B offers a lot of value in a small size.

“To put it in perspective, the 4400 B is a must-have gun that you can use in multiple areas of a repair ... and did I mention less waste?” Shaffer concludes. “When you find something that works well, you stick with it.”