air

dave sutton

dave sutton

Banned
what size compressors do you guys use for finish. i grabbed a small air compressor at a yard sale for 5$. doesnt work but i want to know it its strong enough to spray finish with or even worth ripping apart
 
i use 5hp,but i think cfm is the more important number.it is easy to research at the paint gun websites.
 
I use a 3hp with a 15 gallon tank. I would suggest that no matter what size you use. Make sure that it will provide enough consistant pressure during spraying. I would also put a in-line air drier and a drier on the gun. I use a HVLP gun that requires 40 psi at the gun.
 
the LVLP guns can run on small compressors,but i am not sure how small.mine runs at 14psi at the gun.
 
Mason hit it right on. The air you need is determined by the needs of your gun. That type compressor is designed for high-pressure, low volume applications. The guys who do on-site paint repair on cars use them to power their touch-up guns, and they seem to be adequate for intermittent use, but they won't generally keep up with a HVLP gun.
Bill
 
Check the gpm of the gun. or flow rate of air. See if the compressor will keep up. A good rule of thumb the gpm of the compressor should be at least double what the constant flow of the tool is. A nail gun will run on a smaller compressor than say a da sander.. Most of the time in a spraying application you want at least a 10 gallon tank so the pump isn't running all the time. Constant pumps running means hot air. Hot air means comdensation water and clear don't mix. Even with a good drier you will get moisture in the line if the pump is constant. Also I run a conventional touch up gun cheapo at 30 psi recommends 55.. What I have found is it is in the mix.

Edit:: sorry not gpm it is cfm.. Brain spasm...
 
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Hvlp

John brings up a good point about moisture. That's why I opted for a Fuji HVLP with a turbine. No moisture problems using a turbine and you get less overspray with HVLP.
 
I have a 7.5hp 80gallon 175psi 2 stage compressor. It is overkill for cues but I use it for other things too. Chris.
 
i see different nozzles too what size in mm are you running 1.5mm 1.8mm 2.3mm
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my gun is the Iwata LPH-80 and it has a 1.0 and it is plenty big for cues.i read that 1.3 is optimum for clear coat,but the smaller guns were designed to make the smaller needle work just fine.some cues i do come out so smooth you wouldn't believe it.i could literally send them out without wetsanding,zero orange peel.
 
Tip sizes.

dave sutton said:
is the gravity feed better then the container being on the bottom?

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200319457_200319457

i see different nozzles too what size in mm are you running 1.5mm 1.8mm 2.3mm

is smaller better for overspray or waste?
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I sprayed in the auto body shop for years. We always used a 2.0 tip in the Sata gun for spraying clear. I have a Finex touch up gun that I use to spray cues and I use a 1.5 tip in it. My clear lays crystal clear and the only reason I wet sand and polish is to get any kind of dust out. I run 40 psi at the gun. Very little over spray and goes on really wet.
 
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