Abstract: A coating dispenser such as a spray gun, which is particularly adapted for the application of a protective coating material onto metal can bodies, comprises a gun body formed with a liquid passageway which carries the valve stem of a needle valve. In the presently preferred embodiment, the lowermost end or valve tip of the needle valve, and a valve seat, are carried within a valve seat block which is secured to the base of the gun body. A threaded connection is provided between the valve tip in the valve seat block, and the valve stem within the gun body, so that the valve tip, valve seat and valve seat block can be removed and replaced as a unit when the valve tip and/or valve seat become worn. Structure is also provided to exert a combined spring force and hydraulic force on the needle valve in order to quickly and efficiently move it from an open position to a closed position relative to the valve seat.