high vs low CFM HVLP vs LVLP paint guns

[egchewy79]

Doing a truck project and considering doing body work and paint myself. Not planning on being a show truck. I'm starting to do some research on compressors and paint guns and there's a lot of info out there.
Clearly, I could buy a $2500 air compressor w/ a huge tank and high CFM rating and a high CFM HVLP, but hope to do this on somewhat of a budget.
Eastwood makes a low CFM HVLP gun requiring around 4.5 CFMs which would put me in the range of a more typical and cheaper home 120v compressor.
I've also seen videos of someone painting with the Blackwidow gun from HF (recommends 11-12 CFM) with a regular 5.5 CFM compressor w/ good results.

I understand that the higher CFMs provide better atomization patterns and smoother finishes, but does anyone have experience w/ a home 120v compressor and good results?

[ggunter]

I think Jeff will comment on this, but I can tell you that you cannot have enough GOOD air when painting. A small compressor will run constantly because it won't be able to keep up and then the air gets hot and then there is the moisture, and then you're waiting for the compressor to catch up. If you are going to do this, do yourself a favor and buy a bit more compressor than you think you will need. Put a good moisture removal system on it as well. It's hard enough to get a decent paint job when you have a big compressor, and then shooting yourself in the foot because of lack of GOOD air. I'm sure there will be comments from those who painted a car with a 5CFM and a 10gallon tank.

[ggunter]

If you have built this car, you have already spent a ton of money. Don't short shank yourself on the last part of the build and the first thing people see.

[egchewy79]

Thanks ggunter. I was planning on having a moisture/oil trap to make sure the air is good. This is also for a 1979 truck project FYI, not the cobra, which Kleiner expertly painted for me. Truck is not going to be show quality and I'm interested in learning body/paint. This will likely be the only car I ever paint (famous last words) so I'm not sure if I'll be needing professional grade equipment. I'll likely be doing the bed and the cab separately, but not sure if a 30gal 6CFM compressor or something similar would be able to handle something like this. Like I mentioned, I've seen some lower CFM HVLP guns that might be able to be used w/ a home air compressor and was hoping to get some real world experience.

[ggunter]

Sorry, didn't mean to sound like I was coming off harsh. I remember all the mistakes I made when I was very young painting cars. If you think this will be the only car you ever paint, then take your time with it and enjoy the process.

[JimStone]

I've not painted anything yet, but I got an Industrial Air 60 gal compressor and I've so happy I did. I use it so much more than I thought I would - nearly every day.

It's not a professional level compressor by any means, but I think hits a sweet spot for price and functionality

Specs are: 13.4 CFM at 40 psi and 11.5 CFM at 90 psi. Max PSI 150

I do need to make a better water trap though


Currently is going for $999, but if you wait to go on sale I got it for $750 delivered to my door

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Industrial-Air-60-Gal-Stationary-Electric-Air-Compressor-ILA3606056/202053060?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&gQT=1

[Jeff Kleiner]

Hey Eugene! I got your text and was about to reply when I saw this so figured I'd put it here for others. I can't speak to the Eastwood or Black Widow guns but have a hard time buying into painting an entire vehicle with only 4-5 CFM. Parts maybe but not the whole thing. Now is where someone will chime in and tell me that they did.

My twin cylinder single stage, 3.5 HP, 240 volt Campbell Hausfeld compressor has specs that pretty much match Jim's. It works for me and keeps up but I wouldn't try to do what I do with any less. I paid about 700 bucks 20 years ago (BTW, it's on it's second motor and second pump but no complaints because it's done a ton of work!). As he said if you shop around you can probably get into one for under a grand. Don't get too caught up on the name; in this price range they're pretty much all put together using the same components----motors, pumps and controls---whether the tank says Campbell Hausfeld, IR, Dewalt, Kobalt, etc. Could you get by with less? Yeah, probably but you well know how much money you can wrap up in materials so in the grand scheme spending another few hundred on a more suitable compressor might not really be that big of a jump.

As for guns I suggest that you take a look at 3M's Accuspray System, specifically #26580.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b5005005006/

You get heads of various sizes which will work for everything from high build primer, primer surfacer and sealer, basecoat on up to clear. Runs about 300 +or-. Although I haven't used one my PPG paint guy has tried it and speaks highly of them and recommends them for the do it yourselfers who may just do one or two. I'd bet that there are lots of reviews and demos on youtube.

You know how to reach me and I'm going to assume that I'll see you at LCS in a couple of weeks so we can talk then.

Cheers,
Jeff

[egchewy79]

Thanks for the recs Jeff. Sadly, I’ll be out of town this year for LCS. Hopefully will catch you next year.

[egchewy79]

Update:
going to take a look at a 3.1hp 60gal single stage compressor I found on FB marketplace for $500.
Pretty much new.
11.3 CFM at 90 PSI.
Seems like a great deal.
Need to install a 240v outlet (already wired up w/ a 20amp breaker) and an oil/water seperator.
Let the fun begin. Thanks everyone for helping me spend my $$

[Jeff Kleiner]

That'll work!

Jeff