Air operated panel dryers are designed for use in drying water-based paints. The tool is built to work off the same pressurized supply of air as other workshop tools.

To help reduce the number of particles which could be blown into the paint as it is drying, most air operated panel dryers have a filter over the intake side. However any dust particles which stray in front of the stream of air can be blown into the paint as it dries meaning they should only be used in dust-free environments.