A robotic paint applicator and a method of protecting a paint robot having an explosion proof electric motor. A plurality of electric motors are enclosed by a substantially air-tight motor housing and have a gas inlet and a gas outlet. A robot enclosure is also substantially air-tight and houses at least one electric motor. A source of non-combustible gas supplies gas at pressures sufficient to purge and to maintain positive non-combustible gas pressures. The plurality of electric motors is serially connected and receives gas through a first gas inlet. A first discharge conduit is coupled to an air outlet of the final electric motor for expelling gas. A second conduit transmits gas from the source to the robot enclosure, and a second discharge conduit expels gas from the robot enclosure. A transfer block separately controls the gas pressures from the source.