I went air compressor and paint gun shopping, but was very confused. I found a compressor that did 5 HP, had a 13 gallon tank, did 125 psi, and 5.5 SCFM @ 90 PSI. The spraygun I found required 4.9, and said it could even do clearcoats. The problem is, this old bodywork book I have says 8.5 CFM is a minimum. Is this the same measurement, and is it true? If so, I'm certainly going to go broke.

You certainly have the right idea. Check the cfm requirements and recommended pressure of the spray gun you're gonna use. Then make sure the compressor will put out that much air at that pressure. I think you'll be OK with what you have as long as you don't paint cars with it every day.

Check Harbor Freight Tools (http://www.harborfreight.com) for some inexpensive guns and remanufactured compressors. You may find just what you're looking for.

------------------
My Elky Page (http://www.geocities.com/chadjlandry/index.html) (updated 3-31-01)
"Think for yourself. Don't let popular opinion make your decisions for you."
Chad Landry
TC Member #643
'68 El Camino

[This message has been edited by cjlandry (edited 04-12-2001).]

[This message has been edited by cjlandry (edited 04-12-2001).]

I would recommend going with a HVLP gun. you can get a decent one for under $150 and you'll use a lot less material. i have painted 3 cars since i got my gun and i have used about a third less material than with my siphon gun. just my $.02!

One thing that I would suggest in a comressor is to make sure that it is belt driven as opposed to direct drive. The belt driven compressors run at much lower RPMs and such, make a lot less noise. The direct drive jobbers must have a shorter stroke due to the higher RPM and are downright obnoxious to be around.

Cam

home depot sells one that is 6.5 hp 60 gallon tank.220v.its $399 and is good for auto body/painting

------------------
70 chevelle,400cid turbo400.blue with silver stripes.
www.members.spree.com/entertainment/ochrisl/

Nyone care to comment - single vs two stage?
(DUCK YER HEAD NOW)
Phocks

The home depot compressor would be the best way to go. Don't buy a oil free compressor. Get you a good ole castiron steel sleeve type like I just said. A 2 stage would be great, but like most of us home builders, out of the back garage don't need the 2 stage. You do want a minimum of 30 gallon tank or better, and at least a 5hp unit. This is the same unit I've had for 16 years now and I've never changed the belt. Replaced the motor after about 9 years.
Do put a good water trap down the line somewhere before it goes into the tools. I also use a disposable water filter on the end of my paint gun for positive water removal.
As for guns, I use a Devilbis HVLP. I don't use the Sharp guns cause their too much plastic. Whatever gun you buy make sure you have access to parts. Nothing worse than your gun needing parts right after you put the base coat on.

Go here for a good piping layout.. As for compressor I picked up a sears 6 HP 33 gal tank with some accessories for 270 bucks that will power a Sharpe Low Volume Platnium HVLP gun.. Whatever gun you want to buy make sure the compressor can deal with it.. Here is the piping layout link http://www.sharpe1.com/dr-pipe.htm

For the money, the Home Depot compressor is the way to go. The 60 gallon tank is hard to beat. The only drawback is the 220 motor, so you'll have to have an outlet installed for it. Can't remember the brand name offhand, but it has a red tank. I think it's a Coleman, but I'm not sure. For $397, it's the best deal for the money.

Some double posts just can't be explained!!! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/confused.gif

[This message has been edited by Randy Mosier (edited 04-13-2001).]

the brand is "Husky",thats the home depot name,but it is a Cambell Hausfield motor.cant beat it,comes with 3 yr warranty.and parts are easy to get.

------------------
70 chevelle,400cid turbo400.blue with silver stripes.
www.members.spree.com/entertainment/ochrisl/

Hello;

That Home Depot compressor is probably a Cambell Hausfield unit brand labelled as Husky. It looks just like the C-H one I have. They are a good compressor for the price and will perform most body shop duties fine.

At any rate, as a minimum get a 5hp, 60 gallon unit the first time and you won't regret it in the future.

If you think you will be doing a lot of air sanding or want to do sand blasting in the future than I'd recommend a 2-stage. They just can't be beat for heavy duty use. A single stage is useless to sandblast. Well, you think you're doing OK until you see a higher volume and pressure 2-stage do sandblasting.

Beware of the ratings. The HP rating of almost all single stage compressors is a just a complete lie. Mine has 6.5 on the front in big letters but is really about 4hp (2900kVA). Look for the kVA or HP right on the motor itself. kVA divided by 746 is HP. The 2-stage compressor ratings seem to be better but you have to watch them too.

Peter

So I take it those pancake compressors that are used for nail guns and so forth are probably only good for the small detail guns at best? Mine is I believe 4.0 CFM at 40 PSI and 3.0 at 90 PSI...

I've also heard that if you need more air flow (CFMs) than your compressor is rated for you can piggy back additional tanks or use a T connector and your friend's compressor to get a little more total CFM (Not pressure). I have not tested these tecniques...

I have an Industrial Air 5HP/30Gallon. I sprayed etch primer with a conventional gun with ease and have test sprayed some base and it appears to be working good. I'm using a Devillibs(sp) Finish Line III.

One more thing, the CFM can be calculated (supposedly) as ~1CFM per 10PSI. So a compressor rated 7.0CFM@40PSI would make 10CFM@10PSI (my gun is rated 10PSI at the cap, and my base coat says to spray at 7-9CFM). Again, I've never tested, but heard that from a fairly reliable source. Air volume gets real important with Clear coats, and I haven't made it that far yet! GOOD LUCK!