Hello,
My name is Amir. I am new to this forum and to auto painting. Thank you for reading my post. I have done some work on cars just by use of spray paints but that is not sufficient anymore as I keep getting tiger stripes and different problems. I would like to buy some equipment so I can paint cars (1 every 3 months or so) in my garage. I needed advice about air compressor and paint gun to buy. I want to spend as little money as possible while getting the appropriate stuff. I don't need the best top of the line anything. I just want a decent job at the end of the day. I currently have a 2007 honda civic coupe. It had clear coat peeling all over. I sanded it and primed it (just with duplicolor primer from spray cans). I live in Canada btw. I went to lordco and I got some paint put for me in spray cans and painted the hood and the roof with it. It didn't turn out very well which is why I am trying to do this again with the right eqipment. I found and air compressor on Craigslist, https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pml/tls ... 39010.html I would like to know if this is sufficient for painting a car. I will most likely be using single stage paint or duplicolor paintshop (which seems easier). If this isn't sufficient I was wondering if you can assist me find an appropriate air compressor (not too gigantic) and a paint gun here in Canada. I basically know nothing about this so any help will do. As far as other stuff that I would need, lets say to remove air moisture (if that is an issue commonly faced) and other such things. Please try to inform me.

Thank you
Amir

Well, Amir, you are in for an education here. First, there's not much point in us rehashing how much more it is going to take just to "start" finishing properly. I would suggest just reading about it yourself by tapping that Info Center button up in the top right. There you will see the first column which has two things I want you to read.... First, read General Advice for Newbies and then read What Every Beginner Should Know. Then it will make sense to you why a compressor like that doesn't even meet the minimum specs. to drive ANY normal spray gun.
Hope you got some cash laying around....by the time you get a decent compressor/wire it/ plumb it....then get filters/traps/hoses/fittings.... a spray gun or two.... safety mask, gloves, suit....sanding machines/sandpaper/fillers..... and what about some type of spray booth????? Even if you are a great bargain shopper, buy used stuff....you can easily be at $2000 to $3000. Just the paint and fillers for some single jobs will run over $1000 depending on colors/brand.......
I'm really not trying to discourage you....but there is a lot to this field.....and it can be very frustrating for the newbie if he starts poorly piecing his tools/shop together.....

aeghbal wrote:Hello,
My name is Amir. I am new to this forum and to auto painting. Thank you for reading my post. I have done some work on cars just by use of spray paints but that is not sufficient anymore as I keep getting tiger stripes and different problems. I would like to buy some equipment so I can paint cars (1 every 3 months or so) in my garage. I needed advice about air compressor and paint gun to buy. I want to spend as little money as possible while getting the appropriate stuff. I don't need the best top of the line anything. I just want a decent job at the end of the day. I was wondering if you can assist me find an appropriate air compressor (not too gigantic) and a paint gun here in Canada. I basically know nothing about this so any help will do. As far as other stuff that I would need, lets say to remove air moisture (if that is an issue commonly faced) and other such things. Please try to inform me.

Thank you
Amir

Amir Hey Dude welcome!
First off This is NOT a cheap Hobby or Business to Get into! Get CHEAP & AFFORDABLE out of your head right now! Everyone wants CHEAP every one thinks they can do it cheaper with cheap equipment and cheap materials.
There is nothing Good about a cheap paint job and there is nothing good about cheap equipment or Materials. Good Hi quality equipment and materials are expensive!
There is also nothing good attained by cutting corners it shows in your work every time.

This forum gets the same question asked repeatedly all the time by those that don't take the time to read the sticky's or do a topic search there are Many many good threads on the topic to research from with the search function.

There are also 100 times that amount of Paint Failures by those that try too cut corners to achieve desired results by not using good sound advise to use the proper equipment & materials just type in "Help" most Paint problems can be directed directly at insufficient air supply repeatedly over and over.
The right size Air Compressor is invaluable and the Heart of any auto body shop!
A good painter can lay down a fantastic Paint job with just about any Paint gun even the cheapest gun from Harbor freight will work as long as he has a good clean dry air supply a clean well lit heated place to spray and he uses good materials and has a clean substrate to work with.
Unfortunately getting all those requirements together costs Money and plenty of it.
Some say a 5 hp 11-18 cfm compressor is good starter for a small garage one man show shop. I would say a 7.5 hp 30 cfm compressor would be the best minimum to be brutally honest some would say over kill but if you want a good machine and If you want something that's gonna be around for years and years that you wont out grow over nite especially if your gonna do any type of Blasting even with a small cabinet blaster for cleaning small parts that's what its gonna take.

If your serious about doing this stuff get serious from the start do your research and buy quality equipment that doesn't need to be replaced every time you turn around or that actually works as advertised. There is a Lot of Junk out there that is Marketed directly at the Novice Painter or person who wishes to do some sort of restoration work that is flat out Junk and does not work or perform as advertised Materials included buyer beware!

Welcome Amir,
You may also want to pick up a copy of "Paintucation Body Shop Basics" DVD. It's a good video on the basic equipment, safety, and process for auto body repair and paint. As mentioned previously plan on spending at least $3,000 for the basic tools.

you got some very good information. most of all where will you be doing the work, are you in a residential neighborhood. and how strict are your laws concerning this type of work. I would hate to see you spend money for equipment and not be able to use it.
Jay D.

Yeah, that's huge right there....the smell of most urethane will send fear into the heads of almost any neighbor. It's nothing like the aerosols you've been using..... Shooting in an attached garage to your house will also void your homeowner's insurance and no landlord (if you are renting) is going to allow it.

DarrelK wrote::goodpost: Yeah, that's huge right there....the smell of most urethane will send fear into the heads of almost any neighbor. It's nothing like the aerosols you've been using..... Shooting in an attached garage to your house will also void your homeowner's insurance and no landlord (if you are renting) is going to allow it.

Many don't believe this one!
Most don't believe there neighbors will turn them in, or They don't believe they care or that it can happen to them such as myself, People are watching you all the time! Neighbors are Nosy! and Jealous if you have something or are getting away with something that they want to do or are afraid to try or are afraid or scared of what you may be doing.
I didn't think I was being watched didn't think my neighbors cared what I did in my Garage Till I had the Local Fire Marshal & Fire department with a full Hazmat team and the local EPA and the Sheriff ALL at my door all at same time all wanting to inspect my Garage and Home. True story!

That was not a Fun day!

NEIGHBORS!

I don't have any real close neighbors we all have 2-3 acre lots. but most of my neighbors have at one time needed a small dent fixed or a door adjusted or something minor. my response is, bring it over and i'll fix it no charge. now I can't do anything wrong, they love me.
Jay D.

Amir,

People here aren't trying to scare you, they are just being honest.

Get your checkbook out, don't buy a HF gun no matter what you see on YouTube.

Get a Devilbiss Finishline 4 FLG-670 with 3 tips, 1.3, 1.5, & 1.8 - Don't get tempted by the Devilbiss Starting Line kits
Get a good 6 or 7 hp 60 gallon 220V compressor and some type of air treatment, don't use PVC for piping (very dangerous)
Get High Flow fittings
Purchase through reliable sellers, Flea-Bay has a lot of Knock-Offs apparently

Get a DA, and some sanding blocks. Start small (screw up small) do it again, then do it again, then repeat and ask questions as you go along.

There are guys on here that do this stuff for a living and there are weekend hacks like me.

Don't be afraid to ask, but don't expect to hear what you want to hear, you will hear what you NEED to hear.

Be prepared, if you end up liking this stuff it is very addicting!!!

Eric

Hopefully the OP is still around.
The first response he received should have been enough for him to get the information he needed. It is simply a matter of reading the Info Center articles and one should come to the conclusion that this is not a "cheap" hobby or simple business to be in.