I am not a pro but have talked to several about learning to paint. They have all said the equipment is not important until you learn basic skills and even then its debatable. Paint legends like Larry Watson used what is comparable to a $15 harbor freight gun.

Larry Watson Painting

I have only painted one car and a bunch of little things and test panels. I can tell you it's more about pressure, spray pattern, and keeping your tip the same distance from the surface being sprayed at a right angle.

With regard to tip size and gun it really depends on what you are spraying and what gun you use.

If you want a decent gun you can get replacement parts for I would look at a Devilbiss Finishline. Or a better route for learning in my opinion is getting this harbor freight gun
http://www.harborfreight.com/high-volume-low-pressure-gravity-feed-spray-gun-66222.html

Make sure its the one with the purple handle and metal connection to the cup. Its leaps and bounds better than what the guys used from the 50's through the 70's. Just clean it spotless right after every use.

I subscribed to this guys youtube channel a while back and there is a bunch of good tips you can glean from him
http://www.youtube.com/user/jamesfreddys/videos

The only other tip I have is make sure you have your air supply clean and water free. This is not difficult you just need to build your tubing out properly. It should be bone dry or you will have nothing but problems.

Last edited by John_Galt; 12/20/2011 5:52 PM.