Guys, I know that I bought the wrong compressor to paint cars with. However, what will happen if I use my compressor:
NorthStar Portable Electric Air Compressor — 2 HP, 20-Gallon, Two-Stage Vertical Tank, 5.3 CFM @ 90 PSI
with this paint gun:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ast-9230
If I only plan on doing a panel, quarter, or even a hood one at a time, would this be enough to get by on? I'm going to try it, unless I get really bad news here. I simply can't afford another new compressor. Help!
What if? Using my compressor and gun...
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Non-Lurker
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Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2021 10:47 am Country: USA |
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That gun requires 12 CFM at 28 psi. Your compressor doesn't produce half of that.
If you are going to pursue painting seriously as a hobby, invest in a compressor that puts out at least 15 CFM. That usually means a minimum 5 hp motor and an 80 gallon tank. CFM (cubic feet per minute) is a measure of the volume of air required for that gun to properly atomize the paint in a consistent manner. Think of how your paint job will look if you start spraying at one end of the panel and the droplets are a fine mist, but as you travel the droplets keep getting bigger and bigger. 1968 Coronet R/T
ACTS 16:31 |
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Non-Lurker
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2021 10:47 am Country: USA |
Well heck. I had hoped I might get by with this, but your description does not sound good, lol. Thanks, I guess I just have to sell what I bought and get a better one, like you describe.
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Non-Lurker
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2021 10:47 am Country: USA |
So, is there a gun that will work at around 5.3CFM? I'm looking, it doesn't look good.
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A good compressor is necessary for a lot of things you do in the shop. Air tools, blast cabinets, blowing the dirt out of crevices, filling tires, etc. 1968 Coronet R/T
ACTS 16:31 |
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Top Contributor
Posts: 1397
Joined: Thu Jan 27, 2011 2:16 pm |
id paint a mirror or small trim parts with that. maybe a motorcycle gas tank. might even run an air brush with it. a few things that can occur using too small of a compressor: - you will run out of air real quick - you will build up heat in the air - you will build up moisture. - you will get discouraged and possibly throw something at a wall. IF i could go back, i wouldnt have screwed around with compressors that werent capable of the task. once i got the right compressor (and mouisture traps and filters).... holy crap night and day difference. |
Listen to these guys.... your compressor is the "horspower" of the complete air tool/ air supply system. I can't tell you how many guys that I knew gave up on painting completely....and I knew just by talking to them they did not have enough compressor for their tools/sprayers.....
Metal, wood, fiberglass, we work it all... www.furniturephysicians.com We can restore the irreplaceable!
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Settled In
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Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2022 12:33 pm Country: USA |
What about LVLP guns?
SPRAYIT SP-33000 LVLP Air consumption 3.5 to 3.9 CFM at 30 psi https://www.homedepot.com/p/SPRAYIT-LVL ... /202977425 This guy on YT seems did a fender. https://youtu.be/5lrMvIAWYMQ Then he did full vehicles. H3 Hummer https://youtu.be/fjtm4toU52o 2012 Tahoe https://youtu.be/vj9rW9Uh96M |
Yes there is. I painted for several years when I first started and I used a compressor like yours. I used a "conventional" gun, an Astro that's a Binks copy. It calls for a lot more CFM but because it's a conventional gun you can turn the PSI way down and still spray with it pretty good. This gun calls for 55 PSI, I sprayed with it at 35, at 35 it uses half the cfm. I sprayed several complete paint jobs with it back in the 70's with lacquer and my 2hp compressor kept up just fine. It sprayed great. https://www.toolpan.com/Astro-Pneumatic ... p_504.html JC.
(It's not custom painting-it's custom sanding) |
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Settled In
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Joined: Fri Mar 08, 2019 8:37 am Country: USA |
I have been spraying with a 4cfm mini gun with a 1.4 tip on a 26g compressor and comes out pretty good if I dont have runs. |
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