Spray guns and compressors - advice needed

rvich said:

I have decided to do my own paint and am exploring options. First, I live in an isolated location, so have the choice of one shop that mixes automotive paint. Over the years I have done a fair amount of business there for various projects and have found reason to argue with much of the advice I have been given. So instead I thought perhaps I could start an argument here.

They are willing to mix the paint and put it into rattle cans. The cost of 4 ounces of paint in a rattle can is around 40 dollars (about 15 of which is for the can). I could probably paint a roadster tank and two side panels easily with two cans. So this is one possibility. Or I can set myself up with a paint gun and compressor.

I presently have a small compressor in the shop that will deliver about 3 cubic feet at 90 pounds of pressure. I am being told that I need twice that volume if I effectively want to run a decent spray gun. My problem is this, first I don't really have space for a larger compressor, nor do I really want to buy one if I don't need it. It seems to me that any project small enough to be painted with a rattle can, should be able to be done with the smaller compressor. The advice I am being given is that I won't be able to deliver enough paint to keep it wet. On a motorcycle tank?

Any advice is welcome, more so if it is any good!

If you are not wanting to do paintwork on a regular basis, the sensible thing to do is hire equipment needed as and when required. But unless you are already reasonably good at spraying already, it might be better to do all the prep work yourself, and find a pro to do the actual refinishing?

Russ

Click to expand...