Painting - what is your recommendation?

Bob/Kansas City

Bob/Kansas City

Senior Member
I know there is a huge amount of experience here on the Barn and maybe someone can offer some advice.

I need to replace my old air compressor and want to buy a new one that has enough capacity for priming and painting with HVLP or LVLP spray guns. I've got a couple of questions that maybe someone here can answer.

Has anyone had any experience with the new LVLP - low volume, low pressure equipment? It doesn't require such a large and expensive compressor - usualy about 6 - 7 scfm at 40 psi.
Do these guns give acceptable results or should I pop for a more expensive compressor that will handle HVLP guns. A compressor that has enough output for HVLP painting gets expensive quickly.

I sure would appreciate comments from someone who has experience with these types of equipment.

Can anyone recommend a good source of info for today's automotive finishing products?
I painted my last A many years ago and that was with acrylic lacquer which gave a great finish once buffed out but I'm not even sure it is still available.

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can offer.
 
Bob, since this was down the list a ways and no one had answered you, I'll jump in and help you with what I hear about the LVLP guns (--not actual experiences). Like you said, the LVLP guns "appears" to be geared to helping out the person with lower capacity compressor however I am told it really was made more for doing cut-in and spot work. To me this is more believable since most modern paint and related products of this level are geared towards the professional (who would have the larger compressor & equip), ...and not the hobbyist.

I think what many folks may not realize is how the spray gun technology has evolved during the last decade. I guess it would be much akin to driving a Mercedes or BMW in that if you have never ridden in, or driven a high-quality vehicle on a trip, you cannot appreciate how much less fatigue you have and how much more comfortable you are afterwards in comparison to Honda Accord. The same applies to what an $800-$900 paint gun offers you in comparison to a $179 gun. The balance of the gun, the air consumption, the spray pattern, and most importantly the way the paint is atomized is directly related to the quality of the gun. Now I realize that not everyone can justify the expense of the $800 spray gun and the equip. it takes to make it operate effectively just like I cannot afford a 7 series BMW, and as such I do not let me choose not to travel just because it is not in my budget. Thus I purchase what I can afford. The one thing that concerns me is that everything you knew about painting in lacquer is, ...obsolete. My suggestion is find a local paint jobber who will work with you and knows their line. These are the folks I would trade with simply because when you have questions or concerns, they are there with some real-world experience. The major paint mfgs. are somewhat lmited to openly posting "how-to's" information simply from a liability standpoint.


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Brent thank you for your comments. All my knowledge was from painting my last A many years ago and I know that current technology has out run my old methods.
I was hoping to see if anyone is still painting their own cars and had HVLP or LVLP experience or if becasue of the newer paints and techniques it is best left to a pro shop to do.
I can certainly still do the body work, prime and sand at least.
 
First let me say up front that I run no body shop nor do I have 10 people using my compressor at a time... I do however have a HVLP and LVLP paint system and both require MUCH less pressure and volume than my older systems. My HVLP uses, on most paint, about 8-30 PSI and, as you can compute, not a lot of volume. If you have a sand blaster (or intend on getting one) GO LARGE, my 2 stage, 60 gal is really not big enough, if not next level would be for impact wrench or air sander. Many people advise against a oil-less unit, however for light use or every once in a while, I had no problems with mine (oil-less 5 HP, single stage, 25 gal.
I did however notice a great deal less noise from my newer one (6 HP oiled, 2 stage, 60 gal). Price was almost twice what the little one was but hey-- I'm old and like my toys. :eek: .. hahhaa

I see pros with both types and all sizes.... smaller; can move around and usually runs off 110 AC Larger have more CPM and cap.

Good Luck, D
 
Big D
With your LVLP system do you find that it gives you good coverage and a good smooth finish without being too slow to cover?
Because of the low pressure requirements for these type of guns it looks like it might be a good solution without spending a lot of money on a large capacity compressor that would be used to paint the car once. Overspray and waste should certainly be less too.
 
I get a lot less overspray on either system, than I did on the older type systems. I use a HVLP gun with 24oz if I'm going over a panel or larger area. If I'm only trying to spot paint an area or repaint an area (due to sanding/rub thru), I use the LVLP gun with a 7oz.
I use mostly Acrylic Enamel buffing after with a 600/1000/1500grit ALL WET. In fact because I'm lazy-- use a var-speed sander and ensure that I use extra water.

One thing I have come to love is using old bed sheets from 2nd hand stores to control not only spray, but also limit dust. I have a few sets of magnets and hold sheets to car with them (alot faster and easier to cleanup).
 
I purchased a Ingersol Rand 60 Gallon 3 HP 100% duty cycle 11cfm@90psi that runs on 240V. I used an Iwata HVLP gun which appeared to have the lowest consumption of hvlps at 10cfm @ 20psi inlet pressure (40psi at the compressor). The gun was amazing and worth every penny, I know the gun doesn't make the painter but I needed all the help I could get. Devibliss guns I was originally looking at were air hogs with some as high as 15cfm consumption. This compressor was the absolute minimum I could have got away with I believe and would highly recommend a 5hp two stage if you can swing it. The compressor kept up fine and only cycled a few times during a paint session but I think you will get more life out of a bigger pump if you run high consumption tools often.

Good Luck,
Bob NJ
 
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