Which one is Big enough-Small enough?

[lsabourin]

Hi guys, I'm looking into getting a spray gun and compressor to lay down base coats and clear. I don't need anything big, but not too small. I don't anticipate doing anything much bigger than a snowmobile front cab to give you an idea. But I need something that's small enough so I don't have to buy a massive compressor to deliver the constant required cfm. Any suggestions?

L

[BigDaddyCustoms]

I got a 27 Gal 1.5 HP oiless compressor. Picked it up at Home Depot last year for around $200. I've used it with small "jammer" or spot repair guns and some light duty clear coating without any problems.

Big D

[Pelts]

I use a Sata minijet 4 HPLV. Does what I want it to at 2bar (29psi inlet) Cap pressure 0.7bar (10psi). I don't do cars but helmets, fenders mail boxes, a couple of cycle fairings it worked just fine. Just my .2 cents.

[lsabourin]

OK, I talked to some guy at an auto part store and he tells me that I need at least a 60Gal compressor at ~5HP? I'm still not sure about the type of gun I should get though

L

[Ultra Al]

If you plan on doing this for awhile let me recommend the Iwata LHP 100. I have 2 of them, 1 with a 1.4 tip which is dedicated to clear coat and one with a 1.2 tip for base coats erc; I wouldn't use it for a primer gun. These guns are LVLP (low volume and low pressure) meaning they require less air pressure and and use less material than HVLP and conventional guns. If these are too pricey for you I would recommend the ASTRO gun which produces a very good LVLP knock off for less than a hundred bucks last time I looked. They are available form Tool Paradise and other places.
Astro Pneumatic Tool Company EVO4014 - Low Volume Low Pressure (LVLP) Spray Gun - 1.4mm
ToolParadise Database

As far as compressors go, you want to look at CFM and SCFM ratings. If you can afford one I would get at least a 15CFM compressor, this will run most air tools. your LVLP guns require about 7 to 8 CFM i believe. Again you cant have too many, only not enough,. The last thing you need is to have to stop and wait on a compressor in the middle of a clear coating job. AL

[Bahamut]

I bought this package with a 1.3 needle regulator and case... $149.99

DeVilbiss Master Kit

I love it... Pushes bases real nice and is perfect for clearcoats. I run it off of a small 2 hp compressor w/ 8 gal tank, but I usually do small stuff like snowmobile hoods, helmets, Computers etc. I thought it was a really good buy for a HVLP kit.