Best compressor for HVLP guns

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ironman724

Can anyone make a recommendation for the best compressor to use with HVLP guns. I do not have HVPL experience but have painted cars in the 80s with conventional Devilbiss guns etc
 
The "best" compressor will set you back a pocket full of money.
For a one man shop I would say an 80 gallon set up producing at least 15 CFM at 100 psi.
I bought this one over 10 years ago and it is just big enough to run a DA without waiting for the compressor to catch up. My blast cabinet causes it to run constantly.
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I am a one man operation and this would be the smallest sized compressor I would recommend if you plan on painting a complete or doing restorations.
Most of the spray guns today need a minimum of 10 CFM (SCFM) to atomize the paint correctly. You want a compressor that puts out more than that so it doesn't have to run constantly thus creating heat and moisture.
Bottom line is get the biggest and best one you can afford.
 
I have that exact same compressor but it is labeled craftsman. Been using it for over 10 years without issue. Not for commercial use but has served me well without breaking the bank.

Don
 
I have a 60 gal Quincy 2 stage, I would consider it the absolute bare minimum, and probably more suited for panel painting vs an all over. Having known what I know now I would probably go back and tell myself to buy an 80 gal. If you plan on running a DA for more than a few minutes then forget about a 60 and move right to an 80.

If you can swing the price something that has a 1750 rpm motor with a pump spinning around 1000 or less rpms. That would really be the way to go.
 
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Thanks so much for this info
I don’t plan to do anything commercial work but I do want to paint my car ...I have a 2 hp 40 year old sears ASME compressor that I figured was too small and you guys just confirmed it
 
So for the back to back but aren’t any of the 3 stage high volume blowers for HVLP guns suitable for this use
 
ironman724 said:
So for the back to back but aren’t any of the 3 stage high volume blowers for HVLP guns suitable for this use
Click to expand...
Are you talking abut Turbine sprayers?
Here's a video:

The issue here is all you will get is a sprayer whereas a decent compressor will run ALL your pneumatic tools, blast cabinet and fill your tires.
 
Yes I meant turbine not blowers
I have a 2 hp compress now but it can’t supply 15 cfm at 30 psi so I was looking at the turbine as a possibility
I will watch the video thanks !
 
Turbines don't use compressed air, they provide their own air. A turbine setup will cost you almost as much as a decent compressor. $800-1200 bucks. They are finicky and do not spray as good as a state of the art gun does using a compressor.

This isn't the same quality as a Champion or a Quincy but it will get the job done.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200318501_200318501

For a few hundred more you could get this:
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200414703_200414703

These are decent machines. Have one in my shop (The 7.5 hp one)
 
Also, for a diy one time job, you get by with less cfm if you don't keep fan wide open. If you can deal with 1/2 the spray width, it reduces cfm greatly. Try it with your existing compressor, psi gauge on gun, fan wide open, empty tank, turn on compressor, hold trigger open. See max psi it maintains, start closing fan knob & watch psi increase. If half width holds 30 psi, try it. Yes comp will run constantly. Don't know how deep of a restoration or quick sand base clear you're after. Hand sand everything.
 
Chris_Hamilton said:
Turbines don't use compressed air, they provide their own air. A turbine setup will cost you almost as much as a decent compressor. $800-1200 bucks. They are finicky and do not spray as good as a state of the art gun does using a compressor.

This isn't the same quality as a Champion or a Quincy but it will get the job done.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200318501_200318501

For a few hundred more you could get this:
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200414703_200414703

These are decent machines. Have one in my shop (The 7.5 hp one)
Click to expand...

The second one is much better suited for a shop especially if you have a blast cabinet. The first one is the smallest size I would recommend to anyone wanting to spray paint. A lot of guys try workarounds with undersized compressors but most if they are serious will upgrade quickly.
 
Tanks can be added too. I've wanted to add aluminum tank(s) to shelves i can't reach for long time.
Anyone ever time full to empty 80gal tank with your guns? Would be great study. Fan open 50-100% and psi at gun.

This would be great read. Award winner.
 
thanks so much for your suggestion. Since I have a small blast cabinet i will probably look at up grading my compressor.
 
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