Gunpoint bang.....bang

[my83horse]

Getting to paint my car here soon and not sure what gun. HVLP or Conventional. I have a 3.5hp 25 gallon compressor and was advised since I have a HVLP my tank isnt enough so he recommended doing a panel at a time. Would I just be better off with a regular gun with my compressor. It seems logic to use a conv. compared to a toploader HVLP so I can spray the roof and jams with 1 gun. If HVLP stands for high volume low pressure why does it require such a huge compressor ? Confused

[capri650]

This is a question with alot of varables,1) the reason you compressor won't workwith a HVLP gun is CFM constant flow of air even with a regular paint gun you are going to have an air flow Issue as need high pressure and medium CFM. Need a larger air compressor 5 HP 80 gallon tank would be a good chose want high CFM rate.2)what color, if metallic then no to panel painting. would have color match issues with the metallic. 3) how much money are you looking to spend on the gun getting a good quality gun is important type is a factor in that chose. 4) were are you painting the car outside ,garage, shop, paintbooth also will effect

[tman1257]

You need alot of reserve air and compressor because hvlp guns use a large volume of air at low pressure to break the paint up where the regular guns rely on high pressure at a lower volume to do the same type of atomization. That is the reason for needing a good size compressor. You need the larger tank so you don't run out of air while the compressor is running otherwise you will get runs, dry spray, and orange peel. I myself like gravity feeds better than cup style, but this is personal preference.

[my83horse]

OK well it is a single stage red with no metallics, painting in a masked off garage and the gun I have is a new Sharpe Finex HVLP which was given to me. I dont mind spending money on a good conventional sprayer to use if that is my best bet with my little compressor. Would love to get a 5hp 80 galloner but with 2 kids money is a little tight.
Thanks for everyones imput

[my83horse]

Anybody else ?

[fred414141]

you need to get your buddy to bring his compressor over,hook both of them together(easy to do,just T the air lines together),and there you have a bigger air supply without spending $$ for a bigger set-up you won't need later......Been There,Done That !!

you can get a little more capacity by T'ing a portable air tank into the lines as well.

if you REALLY want to get creative,run air lines to a water heater tank(unhooked from any water lines,of course!) and be SURE to use a water filter and pressure regulator in your setup regardless of how you go.

[my83horse]

Hot water tank LOL thats creative. In regards to 2 seperate tanks , I have 2 and thought about it and this is what I got.

1-3.5hp 25 gallon with 8.5scfm at 40
6.8scfm at 90

1-2hp 8 gallon with 6.0scfm at 40
5.0scfm at 90

So does this mean togather I have a 33 gallon with 14.5 scfm at 40 and 11.8 scfm at 90 through the gun. If not roughly what am I looking at in the way of pressure ?

[my83horse]

Would this be proper math or am I an idiot ?

[86capriASC]

I think you would have to average the scfm between the 2 compressors.

Mike

[my83horse]

Hey Mike whats happening. Ask your painting buddy and let me know how that would work.

[86capriASC]

Hey, sorry I haven't been home all week. I will try to get a hold of him.

Or did you give it a try yet?

Mike

[my83horse]

No really havent had time , maybe this weekend. Been painting hopefully you picked up a little

[86capriASC]

I've been up to my sister place for the last week so I haven't heard too much as far as work goes. Gotta love the putz brother in-law though. He can't make up his mind on what nees to be done so I can finish my work and get paid.

I had to hold his hand and show him how to frame his new porch up today. Maybe he just needed a kick in the ass.

Mike

[Bob's84]

You haven't made the compressors more efficient, just added one to the mix. The only benefit you gained was the added volume of the second tank, which would actually make the single pump LESS efficient, but since you added a second system this didn't happen. If you added just the pump to the original system, two pumps on one tank, then you would gain output efficiencies.

That being said you would actually divide the effect of the tool using the air between the two systems, so yes adding the second compressor will help you out. I've painted several cars, with a 5hp 20gal craftsman compressor. It worked pretty good, but heat and water can be an issue so use the best filters and water traps you can afford. I rebuilt that compressor twice in 10 years before the pump blew up. I then had a 6hp 30 gal Speedaire that is a fantastic compressor, US made, rebuildable cast iron, belt driven pump. It was high on output but very lacking in volume. I now have a 5hp 80 gal IR industrial compressor that I just LOVE, I just ordered a ring kit for the Speedaire and will be adding this to the mix.

So I guess what I'm saying is use both of the compressors you mentioned, but try and get some very good filters(for dirt and water/oil) and a "water trap" or seperator. I've found that using black steel pipe also helps with the water issue because the water cools against the pipe and falls out of the air, helping you're filters to work better. The more pipe the better and install the filters at the END of the pipe run just prior to the hose and gun.

Hope this helps some, Good Luck!! ~~Robert.

[Bob's84]

The painting process actually isn't that hard on the compressor, now the sanding is what kills the compressor! D/A sanders use a TON of air, loads of it. Anyway Good luck, Robert.

[Bob's84]

OK well it is a single stage red with no metallics, painting in a masked off garage and the gun I have is a new Sharpe Finex HVLP which was given to me. I dont mind spending money on a good conventional sprayer to use if that is my best bet with my little compressor. Would love to get a 5hp 80 galloner but with 2 kids money is a little tight.
Thanks for everyones imput

That Finex is a real good gun for the money(new), I have two of them and really like them alot. That should work pretty good, you can get multiple tips for that gun, which I would recomend. That will help you with the varying weights of the primers, sealers, and top coats.
If you use the 2 compressor set-up you shouldn't have many problems.

[my83horse]

Bob you confused me ? Did you mean use both tanks joined togather and let the 3.5 hp fill both tanks of air to use or use both tanks togather with both motors running with the tanks bridged togather ?

[Bob's84]

Use both systems, tanks and motors together.

[my83horse]

Ok so combined it will be enough constant pressure for the hvlp ? I just half to remember to run them on seperate circuits or lights out. Thanks Bob

[Bob's84]

Ya it should be fine because you won't be spraying non-stop. There will be some stop and go, refilling the gun and whatnot, so yes should be ok.

[86capriASC]

How are things coming along with the paint? Are you coming up on the first for the show at Gordie Boucher in Janesville?

Mike

[my83horse]

Slow Mike , still blocking it out 1/2 is blocked perfect the rest is getting there. I'll call u this week.

[Blacksnake]

Getting to paint my car here soon and not sure what gun. HVLP or Conventional. I have a 3.5hp 25 gallon compressor and was advised since I have a HVLP my tank isnt enough so he recommended doing a panel at a time.

I have an older conventional Devilbiss gun that I have used to paint several cars and pieces of equipment. I have used it with a 6HP 60 gal compressor and it will run continously while painting. I'm sure your compressor would NOT work with this type of gun. The new HVLP guns do not require the pressure of the older guns. Some will work with a compressor as small as yours. I would look up the model # and find out the requirements of yours. I know this gun would work.

http://www.tcpglobal.com/spraygundepot/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=DEV+FLG-646

[my83horse]

Thank you for the link. i think I am going to get that gun. It seems perfect for my size compressor

[Blacksnake]

Make sure you check the requirements of the gun first. I have been know to be wrong before. But, I believe the gun itself will do a good job.