What do you use to paint?

WhereEaglesDare

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What do you use to paint? What kind of air compressor do you use? I know SIZE DOES MATTER, but how much? Will a 3 or 5 gallon compressor be okay for painting a cabinet?

If I'm going to buy one of them all in one hand held deals are they any good? Do they work? Do they work as well as a big Air Compressor?
 
You can paint fine with a small pancake compressor, you just can't do it all in one shot.

Never ever buy an all in one 'powerpainter' type piece of crap.
 
tank size doesent much matter, its the cfm that makes the difference. preferrably 7 cfm++++++

the more cfm, the more of a chance the machine can keep up a constant pressure for longer. preferrably 7cfm

I use a cheapie harbor frieght gun for most things. its on sale for $10 form time to time

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...ow-pressure-gravity-feed-spray-gun-47016.html

check out the reviews. I also agree. Its a GREAT gun man, its like something id buy off the tool truck for $200.


to get a ultra nice paintjob get a drier and filter system to ensure the air feeding the gun is perfect.


a compressor like this WILL NOT CUT IT unless you paint a pass or two, wait a minuite, repeat.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00915206000P?prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5

something like this would be more like it. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00916475000P?prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8
 
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Also, don't go crazy with hose lenght. In some cases you want your hose to be shorter. Every foot of hose that you have decreases your pressure. So don't go over 10-15 foot if you can help it, or you will need to increase the pressure at the gun.
 
For a compressor, I recommend you buy used, and as large as you can afford. Well, you don't need a 2 stage monster, but I found a used one like this on Craigslist. Of course, as happens sometimes, the sellers seemed like crackheads, and lied about the condition of it. It wouldn't pressure up, as the compression ring was nearly gone. I bought $25/parts from Sears online, and fixed it like new, replacing the compresson ring, sleeve, gaskets, and adding a real drain valve at the bottom.

pay attention to this spec: example - SCFM delivery at 90 PSI: 5.1 SCFM

pic of one like mine

attachment.php
 
Thanks for all the input.

I know I've seen auxiliary and replacement tanks at Lowes and Harbor Freight. Can I get a 5 Gallon compressor and just add a 10 Gallon tank? Will this work? What problems will I have with it?
 
Thanks for all the input.

I know I've seen auxiliary and replacement tanks at Lowes and Harbor Freight. Can I get a 5 Gallon compressor and just add a 10 Gallon tank? Will this work? What problems will I have with it?

It's one thing to store air, but once you're painting, it's like opening a valve on the tanks..the compressor has to be able to keep up. I have a pancake compressor, which is great for nail guns and staplers, but useless for painting, as it will just run run run..and you're left high and dry without the pressure.
 
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