Painting With a Paint Gun/Compressor?

[Subzero]

I've grown tired of buying $20 chassis coat aerosol cans of paint from Eastwood in order to paint my frame on the F100. I saw people here have lots of use of of there compressors and I've probably used 5 spray cans on the front part of my frame alone to get a good thick coat. I wanted to look into getting a compressor and paint gun setup now, whichever is more cost effective as this resto is not meant to break the bank. The thing is having a compressor would open up a new world for tools with me. Anyway I'm looking at buying all used equipment and I've never painted with a gun but my rattle can skills are good if I do say so myself . I want a gas powered compressor and they generally go for $200-$300 where I live vs $100 for the electric. My truck is in a back lot behind a shop so the gas would be easier. What is needed to get a good setup for painting a frame and other small brackets and such? Thanks

[sargentrs]

The thing to look for with air compressors is cubic feet per minute (cfm). The more the better. For a general all purpose air compressor 10cfm at 90 psi is a bare minimum. Can you get away with less...yes. Will you ever need more....yes. For spraying POR15/Rust Encapsulator and glossy Chassis Black, I've used my el cheapo Harbor Freight air compressor http://www.harborfreight.com/21-gal-25- ... 61454.html and spray gun http://www.harborfreight.com/20-oz-high ... 47016.html I buy the disposable cups http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-ai ... 97098.html I've achieved very good finishes, on my frame/suspension/brackets/etc with that set up. You do NOT want to spray that stuff through any quality gun, especially the Rust Encapsulator. It will ruin a gun quickly. In the first 1-1/2 years of my project I sprayed gallons of the stuff and went through 3 HF guns. No matter how much you clean the gun, or spray thinner through it, you will never get all that stuff out and when you put it up for a few days and go to use it again, it'll spray like crap or be plugged up. For spraying body color, single stage or basecoat/clearcoat, you'll want a good quality gun and a compressor pushing 10-15 cfm. There's is a world of difference between a cheap gun and a good quality gun both in durability, finish and operation. You'll also need an in-line drier/filter and a good pressure regulator if the compressor doesn't already have one.

[Subzero]

Thanks that's some very good info. I like the idea of buying those $17 guns. I do want to get a quality compressor though, Im sure I'll find much use for it with working on cars and running impact guns. Room to store it is the real problem, so it's got to be small as possible. Here's an example of what I like http://richmond.craigslist.org/pts/4467030878.html . I have located a few 115 volt compressors locally that are under $100. Not gas but still a compressor and money's tight. None have the air drier though, where can I find them at? A google search gave my $5,000 refrigerator air driers . My frame is still on the truck, unlike how you did yours but yours looks great. I don't have the ability to remove everything so this is only a partial resto until later in life when I'm more set up.

[chad67]

+1 on the Harbor Freight guns. If you or a friend get Hot Rod or Car Craft magazine, Harbor Freight advertises in them and have coupons to get the guns for $9.95.

[sargentrs]

Nah, this kind of drier http://m.homedepot.com/p/Campbell-Hausf ... 100671461/ but you can find 'em cheaper. Without knowing the specs on that compressor I can't give an intelligent opinion. However, my brother in law has a similar electric DeWalt and it ran his framing nail gun just fine. Nail guns use quite a bit of cfm and he used his like a machine gun. That compressor is as good, probably better than my HF electric.

[Subzero]

I've been shopping around and someone has a 20 gal compressor with 2 hp electric motor 115 volts for $65 and is willing to throw in two drivers. Sounds like a good deal to me, although it may be a little underpowered but it sure won't break the bank. I'd be getting the compressor, hose, drivers, and regulator for $65 if this works out

[68RGR]

I've had a Craftsman compressor for years and it has served me well. It is wired for 220 volts and is probably similar to the $65 one you mentioned. I sprayed the underside of a carport and some other stuff using latex paint a few years ago. This was a large area and the compressor did need a break now and then. But, it got the job done. Painting a truck frame is a smaller job so I'm guessing it would work OK for that. One thing to remember - Compressors need to be maintained. The oil must be changed, the tank needs to be drained of moisture periodically, etc. Look for signs that has been done and ask the seller. Try to set up a time when you can test it - Like from zero pressure to full pressure, use a blow gun to drain it to the preset refill pressure and see how long it takes to recover, etc. Ask the seller to show you how to drain the tank - If he knows, that could be a good sign. Regardless, check the amount of water that comes out and its color. A whole lot of really rusty water ain't a good sign.

To me, if the compressor is OK, paying $65 for it is a no-brainer.

Personally, I'd rather have an electric compressor for most projects. However, if you are far from a power source, that is a problem. Be sure to use the correct size extension cord or make one out of Romex using the proper gauge wire. Or, figure out a way to get permanent power to the site.

I know lots of folks think you have to have a 60 gallon, 5 HP Ingersoll Rand at a minimum. But, you really don't. You gotta start somewhere and $65 is a long way from a thousand. Plus, you can move the $65 one around!

[Subzero]

This one is a Sanborn compressor and is close to this one here http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/Magna-F ... MEnNPw_wcB but not a twin cylinder. I may be getting it tomorrow.

[Subzero]

I checked out the compressor but it had rusted through and been welded on the bottom. I would've bought it for not having that. The search continues