Fox rocks
You dont have to buy a new compressor used ones are out there I search Craigs list regularly and see acceptable size compressors all the time for much less than the price of brand new.
I had one like this and it worked well for decades not a bad deal $450 he would probably take $300-$350 cash when offered in person.
https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/tls/d/l ... 79372.htmlI ran two of these tied together for years!
Their is also the option of building one, buy one with a wore out pump and replace the pump. or one that needs a new motor.
https://eatoncompressor.com/product/3hp ... mp-13-cfm/https://eatoncompressor.com/product/5hp ... er-32-cfm/I have a home built compressor myself with this pump:
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools ... lsrc=aw.dsDoing this as a Hobby or as a side business?
This is NOT a Cheap hobby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT you dont have to buy everything brand new either! I buy a lot of stuff used second hand BUT I know what I am shopping for and what I am looking at! I always make sure Parts are available and its rebuildable before buying!
No matter how hard you try to pull it off a really nice first paint job is NOT gonna happen not on your first attempt! or your second! Its not gonna be cheap either! You will make mistakes those mistakes will have to be repaired, that drives up expense.
You also cannot do a first Paint job cheaper than an experienced set up person or shop!
Their is just to much to get right. Your balking at a few hundred on a compressor and we haven't even talked about building a good water separator OR Air filters or air driers yet!
I have this:
https://www.amazon.com/DeVilbiss-DV1300 ... B000VNFU06Do you need one like that? No their are cheaper ones available. yes.
But its just to give you an idea what your up against here.
Your having problems with the price of Paint guns as well.
Yes a LVLP gun can be used through the whole process, But you need all the Fluid tips that the paint system requires, generally a 1.8 for primer and a 1.3 or a 1.4 for base and clear. Here is an IWATA 9234 Airgunsa, 1.3 Gravity for $119
https://www.jbtools.com/iwata-9234-airg ... JNEALw_wcBand additional fluid tips are available for it! That's a Hi quality gun worth the investment.
A quality paint system even with Axalta products for a complete paint job is gonna be around $1500 range for Primer base coat and clear, Are their cheaper paints out their? Yes but you get what you pay for! I have seen guys spend north of $4000 on Paint alone! Then theirs Masking products Sand paper,tape, Laq. thinner, W/G remover, Towels etc. alll of it is $$$$
I like other's here can save a few bucks painting my own cars because I have all the Toys and I have extra Materials all ready sitting on the shelf such as epoxy, Primer, Clear and sand papers. You cant save doing just doing one or two cars or even 3 it takes years.
You haven't thought about Cut and Buff yet either! While the Cut is done by hand with sand paper the Polishing part is another expense a good Variable speed buffer is around $300 and an elcheapo from Harbor fright is $40-$100. then their are the Buffing pads their are so many and prices all over the place! Then theirs the Buffing creams for polishing again prices all over the place even more $$$$
Very few of us listened to the experienced guy's when they first started!
The truth is those of us that have prevailed in this hobby all started out very much like you! head on making all the mistakes and then trying to fix those mistakes and then trying to prevent them! from happening again next time! Only to come full circle with the same advise we were given in the first place! when asked for advise, You need this! You need that! you have to have this! The biggest and the Main thing is an acceptable air compressor every thing else will come with time and money.