[Slickriffs]

Well..I know the reccomendation is a 240V machine to do good paint..Like most things in life we usually have to compromise at times. I tend to think that a good paint job, on a truck in my case, is not impossible with say a 120V, 5 horse compressor. Any words of wisdom out there?

Thanks,

Keith

[Plum Nasty]

My grandfather and I have painted a 98 point show car with a 20 gallon 110v compressor. It can be done but like all the others have said, you will get better results with the bigger compressor. The pressure is just more stable and will usually fill up faster.

[jcclark]

It's done all the time,
It's not the compressor-it's the gun.
(I've painted entire cars with a 1hp compressor)
Depending on the compressor, you may not be able to use a HVLP gun.
You may have to use a conventional one, there's nothing wrong with that.
Cars were painted for years with conventional guns.
Astro makes a Binks copy for under $50.00 that sprays great.
I've used that gun at lower pressure then suggested
(useing less than 4cfm) and it sprayed great.
Did some nice jobs with it when I first started
That will work fine with most smaller compressors.
So check the gun CFM and compare to your compressor output.

[F&J]

5 hp on 120v sounds very strange to me.

Is this something you have ?


Is there any chance it is set up for dual voltage (220/240 or 110/120)by switching a few wires (there should be instructions printed on it, if that's the case)

[Old Fool]

5hp@120v would require in the neighborhood of 65 amps. A far cry from the possible 20 amps you MAY be able to provide. Forget Sears or Home Depots hp ratings they are bogus.

Pay attention to scfm@psi .

The greater the difference between the guns requirement and the compressors output is a good thing. The compressor will run less which will equal dryer air.

As already stated, use a conventional gun with a low air requirement and filter you air good and you will do just fine.

[oldred]

Originally Posted by Slickriffs

I tend to think that a good paint job, on a truck in my case, is not impossible with say a 120V, 5 horse compressor. Any words of wisdom out there?

Thanks,Keith

I know you can find those things "Rated" at 5 HP on 120 volts but that is 100% USDA certified BS! Actually 3/4 HP would be more like it and maybe even less than that! As pointed out if you must do it on 120 volts then find the one with the highest CFM rating and use a gun with the lowest CFM requirement but unfortunately the numbers you find on those two items tend to be exaggerated too.

[Slickriffs]

Hey Gents..Thanks for the info..

No I don't own anything yet..other than a 1 HP sears..I have done epoxy primer with that successfully but need something better for a finish coat.

I believe the 5 HP rating was one I saw advertized..probably was Sears. So it's the CFM's..not the HP..Ok got it.

Someone said possibly I might buy one that can't handle HVLP-why would that be?

What's the deal on "two stage". Is this a big plus?

I haven't bought anything yet so this info is very beneficial..Thanks all.

Keith

[matt167]

you can get compressors from HF rated at 5.9 SCFM on 120V. I have 1, it's a 4hp ( they say so, but I know better ). 10 gallon 90234 model number, and works great...

hook the compressors togther and run on seperate circuits.

[MARTINSR]

Take the HVLP gun out of the equation and the compressor size and power is basically a moot point. The HVLP gun is the ONLY reason you need the larger compressor for painting. Sanders won't work worth a darn with the smaller compressor though.

I opened a body shop in 1982 with a 20 gallon 110 volt 2hp compressor (as I remember it was 110 volt) and I not only painted cars, I bought my first house with the money earned from that little compressor. Painted collision work every day and a few show cars and collectables as well. This was in the years before HVLP, big difference.

If you must run 110, a good old Devilbiss JGA-502 gun will do some beautiful work.

However, if you have 220 in the garage, for goodness sakes move up to 220 and a 60 gallon tank minimum. I have never said "Darn I wish I would have bought the cheaper tool".

Brian

[jcclark]

I had a Sears 5hp compressor that was 110volt,
when I checked, the motor was only a 1hp, so I asked Sears
how can it be rated at 5HP, I was told
"it puts out as much air as a 5hp" What BS!!! it doesn't do that either.
I think they got in trouble over that hype, it's only on those
direct drive "oiless" compressors (I think).
Anyway, like the old saying "BUYER BEWARE"

[Slickriffs]

Matt,Mart,Jc

Thanks,

Feel good about it if I have to go that way..

So where does this two stage business come in to play? Is a 2 stage more efficient?

Also how long of a chord can I use. I just bought one of these for storage and painting. I trying fiqure out how far away from the house I can put it.

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/...8partytent.JPG

Thanks gents,

Keith

[Plum Nasty]

Kieth, I'm not trying to jack the thread I just have a question.

Why are all of you saying that HVLP is not a good gun to use on a small compressor? I figured that the old style would use a lot more air than the newer guns. I got all my paint guns from my grandpa when he passed. One is a binks, old gun but sprays GREAT! And the other is a cheaper Hvlp. I use the Hvlp for the primer but the Binks for the final coats.

[Slickriffs]

Nasty-I'm the least qualified to answer but I'll give it a shot..I think I remember reading:

Than HVLPs uses less pressure at the gun but in order to do that need more pressure at the compresser..

will see if that holds up.

No offense taken you hijacker you.

Keith

[Plum Nasty]

lol, thanks Keith. Sorry about spelling your name wrong in the last post. Brain is faster than my fingers

I just havn't been on here very long (not even 24 hours) and I'm in the process of reading all the posts. I have been a long time member on another Camaro site. Not sure if it's okay to post the url, so I wont. But, I'm one of the more informed members over there on the 4th gen Camaros. But, this will be my first HotRod build and I want to learn some of the tricks of the trade.

But, what you are saying is somewhat logical in my head. I can see what you are saying. I guess it's just the fact that you don't need the pressure, but you just need a lot of air going through the gun so a compressor with a high cfm rating is needed. I have one of those 5hp craftsman 30 gallon compressors and I'm looking for the dual stage 220v 80 gallon to do this little project of mine. I'm just starting to look so I can't reccomend anything at this time.

[mitmaks]

you might be lucky and your comp wont blow up while youre shooting your car, youre painting solid color it should be easier. I definitely wont paint metallic colors with small compressor as I need air when I need it and not wait for compressor to recharge. I have 220V compressor and I like to shoot with plenty of air when I paint to lay out metallic/clear coat properly.