To any sprayers out there...

[Bren]

What is the smallest compressor you have used to do the job?

 

Lots of people on other forums will tell you 150L is the minimum but that is a bloody big compressor.

 

I would'nt mind one that can run a da sander as well.

 

Opinions please?

[dieselnutjob]

I have a 50L with 2 or 2 1/2HP (I can't remember) and it really struggles.  Basically it holds enough air for a pass and then you have to wait a few minutes for it to catch up.

 

It's okay for occasional use but it does slow you down. On the other hand I got it for £30.  I only use a small touch up gun which is fine, it just means that the job takes longer.

 

If you get a 3HP it is more likely to keep up.

 

DA sanders are even worse and use a lot of air.  I am just going to get an electric one.

[lisbon_road]

Surely it isn't just the size of tank that matters, if the compressor itself can keep up or more or less keep up the size of tank is less important - I'm not a sprayer so tell me if I am wrong.

[Ratdat]

My compressor is as big as a single phase gets, 3hp and 200 litres. I wouldn't want anything smaller TBH. It's running continuously when using a DA.

[dieselnutjob]

if the size of the compressor can keep up with the gun then the size of the tank isn't so critical.

if it can't keep up then the size of the tank comes in to play

my set up would be widely regarded as insufficient, but it sprayed the rear quarters of the wifes 806 lovely last year.  It was just that it was a pain in the but to keep stopping and waiting for it to catch up.

If you only want to do an occasional panel it's probably enough

[RichardMoss]

Surely it isn't just the size of tank that matters, if the compressor itself can keep up or more or less keep up the size of tank is less important - I'm not a sprayer so tell me if I am wrong.

True.  I use a small homemade one with a small tank and a high capacity pump.  The tank is actually a 15kg calor-type gas bottle which only holds about 35 litres.  It has no trouble keeping up with spraying but won't manage a bead blaster.

[Ratdat]

The only problem with having a small tank is the compressor ends up running continuously which means it runs hot if used for a prolonged period. Not good for it's lifespan or your sanity if you can hear it. Ideally, you want a compressor that's over capacity so it can fill the tank then turn off even when it's in use. In reality, that's hard to achieve on a single phase compressor if you're using things like DA's. 

[Crusty Sills]

I have a 150 litre tank on mine and that keeps up with a conventional spray gun it is a big old machine but at least it has wheels on it. I've bought a cheap HVLP gun to see if that will use less air but as yet not tried it.

I bought a GMC electric DA a few years ago and its great.

My compressor just wont keep up with an air powered DA.

[Anglevan]

I've a 50 litre clarke hunter bought in the late eighties. Still have it still a great compressor. Used a devilbis suction feed for years and done many a respray with no issues. Just painted my anglia using same compressor but treated myself to a HVLP (high volume, low pressure). It's also a devilbis gravity feed. Brilliant, noticeably less over spray and less air required.

[Station]

Have sprayed with a tiny one (fnarr fnarr). 25l I think. Didn't have any problems with it. Great for preventing overkill, especially for letting it dry properly.

[dieselnutjob]

HVLP (high volume, low pressure). It's also a devilbis gravity feed. Brilliant, noticeably less over spray and less air required.

 

if it's high volume how does it need less air?

[derskine]

I've got a Sealey 50L, 3hp, not tried painting yet.

Try to get a belt driven one, I really hate using mine because it's unbelievably loud.

[oman5]

mine's an old clarke 50 litre tank 3hp, I have done a few resprays but the motor whilst keeping up does run constantly. it won't run a da sander.

[meshking]

I've got a 25litre Aldi job. With a decent gravity gun it's ok, but as everyone has mentioned, the compressor runs constantly when painting. That was fine for me, since I only had a single garage and therefore had nothing like enough room to do a whole car at once.

 

Didn't have enough power to spin up a grinder or da sander.