Air compressor ???
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Air compressor ???
I will be painting my car in the future, hopefully near future. I ran across a deal the other day and wanted to see what you folks thought about the capacity, etc. It is a 25 gallon upright with a 5.2 HP motor(oil less) it has a scfm of 4.9 @ 40psi and 3.4 scfm @ 90 psi with a 150 max psi. Would this be enough oomph to paint a car and run air tools? What would be the minimum needed?
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: Air compressor ??? (DVG73)
The tank is on the small size and I wouldn't touch an "oil less" compressor.
JMO
It also depends on the spray gun you plan to use, a conventional gun you might get away with it but have to wait for the compressor to catch up. If your using a HVLP gun you need 7 - 15 SCFM
Steve
[Modified by stpman, 12:24 PM 8/25/2003]
JMO
It also depends on the spray gun you plan to use, a conventional gun you might get away with it but have to wait for the compressor to catch up. If your using a HVLP gun you need 7 - 15 SCFM
Steve
[Modified by stpman, 12:24 PM 8/25/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: Air compressor ??? (DVG73)
Very Noisy also if you look at the SCFM you've stated it's not enough to run a HVLP gun. They require a min of around 7 SCFM (the ones I've looked at)
Steve
[Modified by stpman, 12:33 PM 8/25/2003]
Steve
[Modified by stpman, 12:33 PM 8/25/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Air compressor ??? (DVG73)
You will need about 50% additional headroom in the CFM if you plan on painting the entire car. You don't want the compressor running 100% of the time as it tries to keep up with the paint gun. That's an open invitation for moisture in the lines, poor atomization, and many other maladies that will result in a poor paint job. The hundreds of dollars in paint materials that would be wasted (not to mention all the additional labor) will offset any savings when buying the smaller, less expensive compressor.
As I've said before, I've never heard anyone say these words: "I wish I had bought a smaller air compressor". Buy a quality 60 of 80 gallon unit that can put out 10+ CFM at 90psi. It will serve any purpose you encounter and last for quite some time for hobbyist use.
Shannon
As I've said before, I've never heard anyone say these words: "I wish I had bought a smaller air compressor". Buy a quality 60 of 80 gallon unit that can put out 10+ CFM at 90psi. It will serve any purpose you encounter and last for quite some time for hobbyist use.
Shannon
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 2
From: Sherwood Park AB
Re: Air compressor ??? (DVG73)
That sounds about the same size as my oil free compressor (25 gallon, 5.0 hp, 125 psi Campbell Hausfield). It is way too small for sandblasting, and I actually burnt out the motor using a die grinder. It worked fine for the impact wrench and air ratchet.
My dad has painted vehicles with a compressor that size, and he had to wait for the compressor to catch up many times.
Find a bigger one. :cheers:
My dad has painted vehicles with a compressor that size, and he had to wait for the compressor to catch up many times.
Find a bigger one. :cheers:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Re: Air compressor ??? (rexx78)
Thanks for the info. You guys are right. I looked at the gun I was thinking about using and the minimum scfm is 7 psi. I found another compressor for not much more that is a 60 gallon oil type and will do 11.5 scfm. Sounds like I found the right one.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Air compressor ??? (stpman)
I agree with stpman. I wouldn't touch a oilless, 110 volt 25 gallon air compressor. Get the minimum of 60 gallon, and it must be 220 volts. You can not get 5 horse from 110.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,593
Likes: 1,822
From: Huntsville AL
Re: Air compressor ??? (norvalwilhelm)
Here is a great site to check out about Painting.
http://www.autobodystore.com/cgi-bin/config.pl?index
http://www.autobodystore.com/cgi-bin/config.pl?index
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
From: Now Frozen in Michigan
Re: Air compressor ??? (DVG73)
Both my neighbor and I have had 'oil less' compressors. They both lived short lives. Never again will I buy one.
It's replacement is a 2 cyl 5hp & 60 gal tank. I know now that I should've gone even bigger.
The min for painting according to painters I've talked to, is 5 hp & 20 gal. But if you're in that league, might as well buy larger and for the future. :yesnod:
It's replacement is a 2 cyl 5hp & 60 gal tank. I know now that I should've gone even bigger.
The min for painting according to painters I've talked to, is 5 hp & 20 gal. But if you're in that league, might as well buy larger and for the future. :yesnod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: Air compressor ??? (Mr D.)
Here is a great site to check out about Painting.
http://www.autobodystore.com/cgi-bin/config.pl?index
http://www.autobodystore.com/cgi-bin/config.pl?index
Lots of good info can be found there
Steve :steering:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Re: Air compressor ??? (stpman)
Thanks guys for making this clear. Website is good as well. Glad I posted, didn't want to get something that I would regret later. Know what I need now, bigger is better :D
