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OT: Auto painting - compressor size?

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Lee Paterson

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May 25, 2003, 5:15:25 PM5/25/03
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Can anyone help me here, im wanting to paint a couple of my cars and bike.

I have some 2nd hand guns but not too sure of their rating, anyhow
regardless of guns what size compressor PSI/CFM does auto paint require?

Any helpful point. tips, websites would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Ron Thompson

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May 25, 2003, 6:16:19 PM5/25/03
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Most paint guns I have seen were rated at 4 cfm. The cheaper guns use more
air than good ones.

--

Ron Thompson
On the Beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast
USA

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Ken Vale

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May 25, 2003, 9:32:38 PM5/25/03
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I work in a store that sells Automotive Paint and Body Shop Supplies,
most countermen that work at such stores have all of the answers you
need, they probablely even give you all kinds of information on those
second hand guns (including plans, parts and upgrades if needed). Most
automotive paint has a recommended PSI to be sprayed at, so go get
yourself some paint and see what it says. Paint manufactureers often
have technical books for their paint and painting, these are often
online. Paint from different companies is more or less the same, but I
like Dupont (http://www.dupont.com/automotive/)

Ken

dann mann

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May 26, 2003, 12:00:38 AM5/26/03
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I've painted a couple of cars using those small tankless compressors.
Not the crappy 12 volt ones. Worked just fine. I like the smaller touch
up guns except for the small can. Ok for motorcycle tanks and other odd
jobs


Jeff

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May 26, 2003, 6:33:17 PM5/26/03
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Hi Lee,

Auto painting is one of the most demanding uses of compressed air, as it must
be clean, free of moisture, and consistent in pressure. I currently have a
large two stage 5 hp Kellog-American industrial compressor with 80 gallon tank
that puts out about 18 CFM at 175 psi. I used to fart around with smaller
compressors, like 8 CFM, and even experimented with TWO 8 CFM compressors
together to get enough air.

The current breed of automotive spray guns use HVLP technology, and use
anywhere from 10 to 20 CFM.

Suggest you go to:

http://www.autobodystore.com/cgi-bin/config.pl?index

and post your same question there. It is the best discussion group for this
topic on the web. BTW, search the archives for plenty of info on this topic.

Good luck,

Jeff

geoff merryweather

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May 27, 2003, 5:36:27 AM5/27/03
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I have painted a couple of vans, and various other bits. I started
with a 2hp, 8cfm (maybe) direct drive compressor. It was borderline
and you had to often stop to let it catch up. Ok for a motorbike
petrol tank, but a PIA for a Bedford CF van.
I then got a deal-of-a-lifetime 3hp belt drive unit from a garage.
keeps up with no problems.
I have 2 spray guns - a noname suction feed gun which came with the
first compressor (along with a blow gun, tyre inflator, etc). I now
use it as a dedicated primer gun, but painted a bit of stuff with it.
I bought a gravity feed Taiwanese gune, which is considerably better
than the "free" one, and the gravity feed gun is easier to clean.
I also have a small touch up gun - nice but not essential, Good for
small work like bumpers or trim.
see http://www.warkshop.com/paint1.html and
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22how+to+paint+a+car%22&btnG=Google+Search&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
and others I can't lay my hands on at present
Geoff

Lee Paterson

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May 27, 2003, 3:44:27 PM5/27/03
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Thanks a lot Jeff, great info.


"Jeff" <nos...@cox.net> wrote in message news:3ED2962D...@cox.net...

Lee Paterson

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May 27, 2003, 3:45:40 PM5/27/03
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Thaks Geoff, much appreciated.


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RB

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May 28, 2003, 1:49:54 PM5/28/03
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|Most paint guns I have seen were rated at 4 cfm. The cheaper guns use more
|air than good ones.

I have a Harbor Freight HVLP gun.
Compressor is a "6 HP" Crapsman oilless (noisy as hell) on a 30-gallon tank.
Rating is around 8 CFM @ 90 psi
This will not keep up with the gun when painting something large, like a car.

Dan Thomas

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May 28, 2003, 8:03:32 PM5/28/03
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r...@inoli.com (RB) wrote in message news:<3ed4f65e...@news.txol.net>...

My HVLP gun, a deVilbiss, takes 26 CFM. A real pig. You need
about 10 HP to keep it happy. It sure puts the paint down quick.

Dan

Ron Thompson

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May 28, 2003, 11:32:05 PM5/28/03
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HVLP is a different animal. "High Volume Low Pressure"

--

Ron Thompson
On the Beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast
USA

Email me for current special offers on items from
http://www.plansandprojects.com

Grave yards are full of people who thought the law could, should and would
protect them.

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