I'm looking at this compressor for painting. I haven't heard anyone talk about gas compressors. I need something small, and this thing puts out 9.6CFM @ 90psi, which would be more than adequate at the 40psi I'd be running my paint gun at.

http://www.drillspot.com/products/51994/Speedaire_1VN93_Gas_Air_Compressor

I live in an apartment, and if I go electric I'd need to buy a really burly and lon gextension cord. This seems like a good compromise, although I am sure it's noisy and smelly, and the engine would have to be running the entire time I am painting.

Thoughts?

The apartments where you live are going to allow you to paint on their property??
Nowhere I have ever seen would allow that. Are you planning on painting outside or something?

I know nothing about gas powered compressors but did think about it for a while. My thought about a compressor like that is that since it runs all the time and has such small tank capacity that the air will be really hot and really damp. Without addressing those problems, the air might not be great for painting.

NO, you will run out of air! :noway:

NO, you will run out of air! :noway:

NO, I won't! The CFM output is greater than my requirements!

9.6 @ 90 is plenty for about any painting, not so sure your neighbors and apt. mgr will be OK with this though :)

Be aware that some gas powered compressors are very noisy. The RPM cycles up and down on some and it can be annoying (noise). I also can't imagine painting in the parking lot of an apartment building. Having to pay to get other cars detailed or repainted to remove overspray would probably pay for several paint jobs!

Paul

I know nothing about gas powered compressors but did think about it for a while. My thought about a compressor like that is that since it runs all the time and has such small tank capacity that the air will be really hot and really damp. Without addressing those problems, the air might not be great for painting.

I'm pretty sure the compression chamber is belt driven by the motor, so the fact that it is gas driven shouldn't be an issue as far as heat is concerned.

I'm pretty sure the compression chamber is belt driven by the motor, so the fact that it is gas driven shouldn't be an issue as far as heat is concerned.
The basic nature of air being compressed air dictates it will increase it temp, physics 101. The amount of humidity in the air will also become a factor in moisture content of air supply. Your reducer required for that day will also need to be taken into consideration. It would be easier and cheaper for you to send it out and have a pro spray it. Or if you rent the booth for 1/2 a day with their help. Even Macco can spray the color if you buy ALL THE COMPONENTS FOR THE PRODUCT.
If you spent $1000 on materials only to have gun problems or compressor problems and had to scrap the entire job, well the money you saved doing it yourself be for nothing.

I'll only be doing epoxy primer on two fenders, so I'm not that worried about cost; I figure with all the new toold I'll need and primer/activator, I'll be out about $600 and I'll be able to spray in the future, which is nice.

Since I am only doing these few parts, I don't think being in an apartment will be a big deal. I know my landlord well, and we have a grassy area out back that I can lay down some tarp and spray on.

Painting outside is a recipe for disaster! It's probably illegal too!

I know that a decent little gas compressor will meet the cfm requirements

BUT ... you're going to need a water separator & regulator also...

these gas compressors are meant for service trucks not garage/paint booth work :D

LOL 8 gallon? That aint gonna work... I got an 80 gallon and it's running when I'm painting stuff. I'd farm the work out if you live in an apartment.

LOL 8 gallon? That aint gonna work... I got an 80 gallon and it's running when I'm painting stuff. I'd farm the work out if you live in an apartment.

Of course it would run, it's meant to fill the tank then rest until it needs filled again. All I'm saying is that if it puts out more CFM of air than I need, I can let it run continuously and not run out of air. The math makes sense... If a compressor puts out 10CFM and my gun take 9CFM, then the net result is 10CFM - 9CFM = +1CFM of air.


Is it illegal? I never though about that... why would it be illegal to paint something on private property? Are DIY painters *required* to make a booth or something?

It may be a recipe for disaster, but I'm hell-bent on doing it just so I can say that it can be done ;) And if and when I do get er done, I'll expect you all to tell others that it can be done too!

"Is it illegal? I never though about that... why would it be illegal to paint something on private property? Are DIY painters *required* to make a booth or something?"

Ever heard of VOCs and pollution laws?

"I'm pretty sure the compression chamber is belt driven by the motor, so the fact that it is gas driven shouldn't be an issue as far as heat is concerned"

I think you misunderstood me. I'm not talking about the heat from the gas motor heating up the compressed air, I'm talking about the compressor running all the time. Whenever air is compressed, no matter how you do it, it's gonna heat up. It happens to a great extent even in electric compressors (which are also driven by a belt drive in most cases). Even medium sized compressors that have the CFM's to paint make warm, moist air. That's why a device to separate out the moisture is a good idea. I simply meant that a compressor that runs constantly is gonna make more hot, more humid air than a large tank electric compressor which runs intermittently.
I'd be interested to hear from someone that has painted with these, but I'd be concerned like the others, that with the small tanks, it'd be hard to keep up. Not that you'd run out of air completely but that when you are pulling the trigger a lot, you'd a lot of fluctuation in your line pressure.

1. I know my HVLP gun only needs real low pressure to spray, it just sprays better at higher pressure.
2. Some cities will let you spray and after your done lay on BIG FINES for air polution/noise/waste disposal/fire hazard, and the like. Also if you get overspray on a car/building or someone can show that you were out painting, hey you get to pay for having their car detailed or repainted or any damage they can show.
If you still think you can get away with spraying look into an electric sprayer for just blowing on primer. I have seen a Wagner sprayer do amazing things when the directions are followed.

TP tools turbine sprayer, then sell it when you are done.