What if? Using my compressor and gun...

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PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2022 12:09 pm
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!

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PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2022 3:55 pm
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.
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2022 4:53 pm
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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PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2022 7:30 pm
So, is there a gun that will work at around 5.3CFM? I'm looking, it doesn't look good.

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PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2022 11:43 pm
dh_noob_painter wrote: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.


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


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PostPosted: Sat Feb 26, 2022 12:21 pm
dh_noob_painter wrote: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!


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.

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PostPosted: Sat Feb 26, 2022 1:50 pm
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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PostPosted: Sat Mar 05, 2022 7:03 pm
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

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PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2022 9:02 am
dh_noob_painter wrote:So, is there a gun that will work at around 5.3CFM? I'm looking, it doesn't look good.


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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PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 7:20 pm
dh_noob_painter wrote:So, is there a gun that will work at around 5.3CFM? I'm looking, it doesn't look good.


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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