I will be painting my pickup within the next year and am looking at buying a compressor for painting it. Can someone give me some specs for the minimum CFM, etc that I should look for.

Thanks,
Bob



1972 F100 360/C6 100K miles

 

I use a 6.5hp with 60 gal tank.Single stage.Works good.You can buy one through Sears for 459.00 or so.Runs high speed sanders,ect as well.Flows 11cfm@90psi.

 

I've used a 3hp 110volt 22gal 8.6cfm @ 40psi and it worked with a conventional type gun but it worked it's tail off to do it.

If your using a conventional, non-HVLP type gun the 8.6 is ok but you should get an additional tank, usually about $30 and run at least two good water filters.

Again this is the smallest that I'd try and you'll need to take your time as it's not real fast and the hotter they run, the more moisture you get so don't pass on the water filters. The extra tank helps to catch moisture and should have at least one filter after it.

I don't know about the newer HVLP.

 

Do a search on this site http://www.autobodystore.com/cgi-bin/config.pl?index The compressor size is very important. If you have a decent size compressor (around the $400 range) you will be happier. It depends on the gun used and the required pressure at the gun. I recently painted my two Broncos using a conventional gun and I was able to maintain 55lbs at the gun while working. This was propelled by an OLD sears compressor rated at 2 HP (220 volt) /40 gal / 125 psi compressor rated at about 8 CFM. The compressor worked hard but was able to sustain the work load (75' of hose with twin air filters one at 25' and a dosposable at the gun). What ever you decide I can assure you that a tiny "pancake" compressor WILL NOT support a conventional gun. The first coat you spray (the primer) will give you a good feel for the compresor.

 

had tried smaller compressors the last a 5 hp 20 gal and was not satisified with any of them . They ran continious and I was always waiting for them to catch up . A pro told me to get a 220 volt unit with 60 to 80 gal tank to put out at least 10 -12 cfm at 100 lb to handle all my hobby needs. I bought one for $406.00 ( there are some good buys out there) and realized I had been wasting my time with the smaller ones. Sometimes its cheaper to buy the right tool at the start.