Help me with an air compressor purchase for painting my car!?

Question

I need help figuring out what spray gun I should get to go with this compressor...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90385
I would prefer a HVLP gun, but not sure what is compatible. What else would I need other than hoses? Any car-painting tips would be nice to be included as well.
Please include products from harbor freight only.

If i went with this compressor:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90234

What gun should i get?

Answer 1

for good info:

www.autobodystore.com

If you want a bare-bones paint job that looks good from 10 feet away, I suggest high dollar 1part style rattle can paint. There are several spray paints now that give good results.

You are not going to get a good paint job by doing this on the cheap cheap. Expect to spend $300 or more on a compressor that will actually work for running a paint gun, and $150-300 on a good HVLP paint gun. You will need 2 paint guns, one for shooting primer and the other for shooting topcoat. Or buy different aircaps and stuff for one paint gun but thats expensive too, not to mention messing up the settings every time u go back and forth. The aircaps sizes are different for spraying most primers vs topcoats.

You will need a good respirator, sanding blocks, body tools, a place to spray, etc. Its doable for the home hobbist, but not the easiest or cheapest thing in the world.

Best thing to do would be to get an old fender to practice on. You will learn a lot that way.

Answer 2

There isn't a compressor over 5HP/10 Gal that can't provide enough air volume or pressure for any paint gun on the market. No paint spary gun requires more than 45-55 psi (and some run at 30 or less). Mine runs between 30 and 50 psi and require about 5 cu ft/min of air. One think you WILL need, with all oil sump compressors is an inline oil and vapour extractor. This will prevent oil and moisture from entering the air hose and causing pinholes and other paint defects. I have an 80 Gal 17HP verticle industrial compressor, after the regulator, I use one vapour extractor, an oil extractor, and another (disposable) vapour extractor on the paint gun.
Use a respirator with all enamel paints as well as acrylics, the vapours are harmful. Work in a well-ventilated (but not windy) area. Temperature should be min 60 degrees (F) and humidity should be 45-65% but not more than 85% (the metal surface will cool as the paint is sprayed on it and dries, you don't want any moisture condensing on the freshly painted surface).
Wet sand with 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper between primer coats and top coats, and with 600 grit wet/dry paper before applying the final top coat. wash and dry the car completely after sanding and use a good tack rag (DO NOT use a silicone based tack rag) to pick up any paint dust before starting the next coat.
I usually apply 3 primer coats and 3 top coats on my work, but you can do 2 of each as a minimum. Adjust the spray pattern to be perpendicular to your direction of painting (left to right movement - pattern should be verticle). Spray the car from top to bottom, and flat panels moving away from yourself. Overlap your spray pattern about half and keep the gun evenly spaced from the surface, this will help prevent runs, sags, and uneven layers of paint. About 12" is ok, but you can spray a "test" item to fine-tune for your particular situation. If you must take a break, try to finish a whole panel (like a door or hood) before stopping, and remember, if you are mixing hardner, reducer and drying agents, you only have a limited shelf life before the paint will start to harden in your paint gun and probably ruin it.

Answer 3

Harbor Freight is Awsome try Central Pneumatic Page 27
4hp, 10 gallon air compressor item 90234-3RTH $139.99
it has the right CFMs and would be good for air tools too.

Answer 4

No way. You need a 5 hp 30 gallons at least.

5 HP is compatible with almost any air paint gun.

Answer 5

That compressor you picked is way to small. You will burn that thing up in no time. You need something with a bigger tank. If you go to your nearest hardware store on the compressors they have ratings for each one and what it is recomended for.

Answer 6

you need to know what the volume of air is needed for the gun that you want to get. you will need PSI and volume. ....do you want a gravity gun???? there is a lot more to painting a car then just getting a gun and compressor..... you might want to take a class at your local community col...... good luck,,