With the variables of hose length and compressor capabilities are these gauges worth it?

There are MANY variables that would cause too low of cap pressure even though the inlet gauge on the gun says it is ok. However, remember, the cap pressure is really only for legal reasons anyway. It is at recommended cap pressure 68% efficient (I think that was the efficiency requirement for HVLP).

That being true, what really matters as far as your painting is HOW is it working. If you were to be do a test sprayout and it atomized to your liking, who cares what the cap pressure is.

If you were to raise the inlet pressure to get the atomization you want and the cap pressure was 11 lbs, so what. It is just not legal and the transfer efficiency is of the mark a tad. No big deal.

This doesn't mean you can have crap air supply with 1/4 pipes and a dozen air filters in the line and still be ok by bumping up the inlet pressure. But a little off, with more pressure to meet the required atomization, you'll be fine.

Thanks Brian, I did my 1st BC/CC on a Gem top Saturday and the results were poor. I really had problems with the CC, it came out very rough, i.e. it didn't flow. I now realize that my air supply was bad. The biggest problem was that a disposable water trap between the gun and the regulator wouldn't seal. I followed your basics on gun setup, but I think my air pressure was to low to atomize the paint properly. I'm going to try again tonight and will leave the extra trap out(I have one 25' away that should take care of moisture, I figured the extra one at the gun would be a good idea graemlins/sad.gif ). It really helped to have the Basics of Basics to get me started, thanks for all the help you give us on this web site. Wish me luck.