16 replies to this topic

[clubman katie B.F]

Am on the market for a compressor and spray gun, and have been doing a liitle reading up.....and am still non the wiser :nugget:
In basic terms, what size compressor do i need to do a decent paint job? What HP, what size tank etc etc........ and the same with spray guns, gravity feed or what???? your help is much appreciated

[Rob]

I use a sealy sg401 suction spray gun which ive had excellent results with. Idealy you should have one for primer one for top coat and one for laquer for top results.

As for compressor you should go bigger and more powerful one than you actually need becuase i guarantee you will end up buying air tools for it because they are really useful and these tools can use alot more air than the spray gun- you dont want the compressor to struggle as this will wear it out quicker.

If you must only get one for just spraying go for at least 50 litre with the most powerful motor you can get with your money.

Try to find some reviews and tests on then because there is some real poor quality ones out there. SIP are a good make if a little pricey sometimes, this is what i use.

[Rob]

also the tools you can buy are generally cheaper than there electric equivelant and last ten times as long if there looked after.

[Guess-Works.com]

Don't know too much about compressors, I use a 50 litre Clarke Panther, it's not bad for spraying, and is great for garage tools, but does run out of steam ( well air ) fairly quickly when using high volume kit ( eg air saws etc...). I think the balance is to go for as big as you can afford , 50 ltrs + and 8 cfm +, and as big as you can fit in the garage !...

[gonzo2053]

i was thinking of getting one for spraying but then was told that if i wanted to get a decent finish i should take it to the shop because when i laqure it it wouldnt come mint becuase of dust and stuff like that? is that true? its sort of put me off buying one but i still might

[Rob]

I did mine out side (you should NOT do it cus its illegal especially when useing 2 pack) and came out alright. theres one or two bits in it (i challenge you to find them!!!!!) but overall its very good.

If spraying indoors use a good extractor fan with plenty of suction and mop the floor and walls( thats if you havent got any junk in there)

[Al*]

when purchasing a gun be sure to get yourself a HVLP top load spray gun as they are the best.... as for everyones talking about where to do the spraying it makes me laugh because i work at an autobody shop so i've got a spray/bake booth....spray the car and bake it and it'll be dry in about 30 minutes.... hahaha but for those of you who don't have access like me definitely clean the hell out of your garage and lay down wet cardboard on the floor when painting this prevents dust from rising off the floor.... when i painted my dads truck in the garage i also cleaned the walls and ceiling and covered them with sheets of plastic..... turned out good.

If you need any more info don't hesitate to ask.

Al

[Dan]

If spraying indoors use a good extractor fan with plenty of suction

Remember that if using two-pack this will NOT keep you alive. Two pack accelerant is made of cyanide and as such is extremely toxic and if using it you will need a supply of air to breathe or you will end up brain damaged or dead.

[Rob]

sorry i forgot to mention use a clean air fed mask. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. sorry about that.

[Woody]

14 CFM is a good diy sized compressor , you dont want to do a respray with anything less ,
unless you go for a low presure spraygun then you can get away with a 6 cfm , i did once (resprayed my suzuki SC100) finish was very diy but not too bad after a good cut and buff , this was with cellulose .

[gonzo2053]

cool, what sort of extractor fans are we talking here? like the one that people have in the kitchen on the wall? aslo where do you buy the paint/primer/laqure from?

[Rob]

i suppose you could use those type but i reckon you would need at least 2 or three.
as for where to get the paint it depends on what type you want. you supposed to have a licence to obtain 2 pack but its not something iv have been asked for yet. its not something thats advertised for sale. try a place that sells body panels for all cars.

cellulose and acrylic is more obtainable as it is safer but overall its not as good but it is easier to use.

[Bluemini]

I used a £90 compressor and air tool set from Lidl and got good results when spraying celly. Did it in the garage with the door open and a mask with a filter on each side. But to do it properly you do need the right tools and more importantly, the right breathing equipment.

Is it realy worth you buying all this stuff, are you going to use it again? Or would it not be easyier and cheaper to go to a body shop and get it done profesionally? If you do the prep work on the car, then it will get the cost down quite a bit if you were to take it to a shop.

[clubman katie B.F]

am in an ebay war for a sip cosmo. 50 litre and 2 hp, with free 5 piece kit...how high should i go???

[dklawson]

Going by hp and tank size alone is misleading. As others have said, get the biggest you can afford. "Biggest" is a term which really means, highest CFM and biggest tank. Tank size helps but the CFM is most important. My advice if you want a serious compressor is look for one that has a two-cylinder, cast iron, piston type pump. DO NOT buy a diaphragm compressor. Buy an automatic drain kit for it as soon as you can.

Al*, I envy your access to good equipment. Please fill me in. If you buy an HVLP gun, how well do they work with a "regular" compressor. Most of the high-end HVLP guns I've seen were designed to work with blowers not compressors. Have you used the guns with the little regulator on the grip? Are they any good? Which brand have you used?

2-Pack seems to be a European term. Over here I believe it is simply referred to as two component urethane. I used it on my last paint job and had good results. I improvised a fresh air breathing system and built a plastic room in my garage for a spray booth. I still got a few bits of trash in the paint but they could be wet sanded out and buffed within a couple of days. Lacquer is less expensive but hard to get now in the U.S. Lacquer chips badly also. I like the urethane even with the extra precautions required.