I'm getting real close to laying some color on my car. I have the doors, hood, trunk lid, off. I've been researching guns and paint systems and now I'm lost. I originally bought a couple of the HF purple guns thinking they would be okay, but having second thoughts. I don't want to buy a $500 high end gun, more like a $100-$150 gun. My compressor is a Ciasons 23 gal. 2 stage, with 10 CFM. I've been looking at the Spray IT LVLP, the Sharpe FX 3000, Devillbis Startingline, etc. Doing all the parts separately, will I have enough air going with a HVLP or am I fooling myself. What is recommended with my set up. As far as paint goes, I've been looking at the online suppliers Autobahn, Restoration Shop, Kirker, 5 Star, UreKem. These kits are $400 or so I can get Valspar, Nason, and High Teck locally for $600+. Any recommendations? The goal is a nice paint job, not a "**** Rides" top end show car.

Will a gun that requires 9.5 CFM work with my compressor rated at 10 CFM?


Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Tunaboss wrote:Will a gun that requires 9.5 CFM work with my compressor rated at 10 CFM?

Technically? Maybe. Practically? No. You really need a 20-30% buffer in capacity, so for a gun that uses 9.5cfm, a compressor rated at 14cfm would be about the minimum to work well.

On gun choice there are many threads on here - have a look around.

As to paint quality, in my shop we've usually found that cheap paints are a false economy. Mid to high end paints are generally better to work with, have much better coverage and usually more consistent colour matching. This isn't always the case with a full respray but I kind of question why after maybe hundreds of hours work to get panels repaired and straight, that anyone would scrimp on the cost of equipment and supplies that are going to have the biggest potential impact on how the vehicle looks. I hear what you're saying about nice ride vs show car, but the reality is that a lot of that difference usually comes from work that is done after painting.

What he said

Cool project car by the way

What PSI is that 10 CFM rating at?

Thanks for the feedback, I was thinking the same thing on the paint systems and quality of materials. As far as the compressor goes, I have what I have, and will have to make do. That's why I was wondering about the LVLP guns or HVLP at 9.5 CFM. But if you say I need an extra 20-30% I might have to stay with the LVLP. The last car I painted (Mustang) was with an old siphon gun it seemed to do the job well.

My compressor is rated at 10 CFM and I think that's at 90 psi but will need to double check?

In my little mind, I'm thinking that it's a small car with small panels, so if I have it all apart I can do the doors, hood, and trunk lid separately. Then work the rear panel, quarters, rockers, and front fenders at one time. Hoping to have enough volume to get through it.

So, not sure, maybe I missed this with a quick read.....are you going solid color or metallic???....makes a big difference on what you can "get by with."

Silver Metallic is my color of choice, but can go solid if I would be better off. I just can't justify buying a new compressor for what will probably be a one time use. If you know what I mean, this is a hobby car, I'm not going into business.

Okay, so colors....silver metallic is the worst for getting down without the infamous tiger stripe effect or worse, blotching. Add to that the fact that you are undercompressored and want to do sections. Go with a solid color and you will probably work around all of that Maybe look at some grays or charcoals.....

Does anyone have any experience or advice on the Eastwood guns. The LT100 uses 4.5 cfm, the Concourse @ uses 4.25 cfm, and the Concourse Pro uses 6.5 cfm. I'm sure they are copies of something. Would any of these be sufficient for Silver Metallic and not get the tiger strips or blotching you mention. I can re-assemble the car before paint if that helps.

4.5 cfm for $70? sounds to good to be true for many users?
I wonder how big the usable spray pattern is?