The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop What size compressor?

I've tryed rattle cans,now I would like to get a compressor and spray gun or guns.I'm not sure about what size compressor I need.I would like something small, but not sure if these can run a paint gun. any info. would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Brett

Choose your gun and then choose your compressor.

If you only need a compressor for painting, consider an HVLP turbine unit (3M Accuspray, for example) - no need for a compressor and no need for removing water from your compressor feed-air.

Match the rating of the compressor to the gun specs. That should work.

I have 60 Gal two stage reciprocating compressor IR compressor, was expensive but worth it - Why because the other day I was shooting primer and it took so long and the compressor kept running and gave me very dry air through out. At the end I touch the compressor and it was hot and when I released the air pressure lot of water came and through my other relief ball valve as well.

These are my thoughts , 60 Gal compressor would be minimum and more CFM you can afford is better.

My 2 cents

Ganesh

Spraying automobiles takes a big compressor or a lot of patience and elbow grease. 60 gal, 220v, and about 14 cfm at a bare minimum for most entry level hvlp guns. Of course you could use a much smaller compressor (a lot of people do). It will require lots of down time waiting for the compressor to catch up while you are spraying and there will be more surface defects to color sand.

I use a "hobbyist" setup and end up with marginal to decent results - harbor freight compressor ($380) that meets the above minimum criteria, 35' of steel plumbing ($80), a devilbiss finishline3 gun ($130), and devilbiss finishline watertrap/filter ($120). My paint jobs always require extensive color sanding.

The compressor issues has been debated for a while. Just comparison shop. Anything 5 hp. or better and at least 60 gal. should do fine. I would go bigger and did with 80 gal. Spend a little more now and you won't be wishing you did down the road.

Use black metal piping out of the compressor with a loop/dip/ drop to help with condensation from the hot air. Then put a filterin place. I used the rapid air system after that and it works great. I can post a link to a pic or two if you want.
Hank

The gallons reserve and HP rating have little relevance to the issue IMHO. The figures the buyer needs to heed are the "continuous output" @ a given PSI ratings. For example my IR is rated @ 18.2 CFM continuous @ 90 PSI. It will easily handle any tool that doesn't draw more than that. If one buys a compressor that has an output of 10 CFM and has a tool that uses 12 CFM @ a given pressure the compressor will never keep up. Woody was spot on with his recommendation. If the user is ever going to use a tool requiring a higher output the compressor needs to be matched to that.

Point taken Tiny, most any 5hp/ 60-80 gal. compressor will produce that (18.2 CFM continuous @ 90 PSI)or numbers real simular to it and run most any tool you will want to in a home/hobby garage. After all, the hp. and tank size determine the air flow or cubic feet per min. rates. Don't think you will see a 2hp. 8 gal. tank pushing that rate of air.

My point is that if you are going to buy a compressor, don't go too small, consider all long range usage, not just one gun. The 5hp. 60-80 gal. set up is a good place to start.

Thanks for all the info. I thought I could get away with a small compressor. I'll have to save up as I don't have that kind of money right now. work has been very slow in the Electrical business. Brett

Agreed.

Your thread caught my attention since I am going to paint my truck myself eventually too, and don't have the equipment at the moment. Spendy stuff! I had never heard of the turbine HVLP systems, but I looked around after reading about them above. Turns out my local tool rental place rents them, $65 a day. I really won't be doing any other major painting for a long time, so this seems like the way to go to me. You might look around and see if you can rent one in your area as well...

A very important thing to think about if you are going to purchase a compressor is, now that you have it, you be running other air tools! Paint guns, air sanders and impact tools all use different CFM to properly run. Determine which tool uses the most CFM and then purchase a compressor that exceeds that CFM to allow the compressor to catch up and have some time to cool down between cycles. The max CFM should be rated at 90 PSI or greater to get the best performance and life from the tools to be used.

I like to read the descriptions on this page. It can be quite informative when buying an air compressor.

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/page/page/504747.htm

I have a compressor that won't quite keep up so I borrow son-in-laws compresser and hook them together. You need a large volume but not a real high pressure.