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MG MGA - Air Compressor for painting

I want to do some small time painting on my A. I have just had the body professionally painted (outer parts only) and I now want to spray the parts like the engine compartment, the heater and the inside of the trunk. I looked at the air compressors in Home Depot today and got very confused with the sheer variety and huge price range.

I want something small for storage purposes yet capable of doing a reasonable job. Can anyone help me with some advice as to compressor, spray gun and method?

Thanks

Dan (total amateur)

Dan Barton

Dan,
The spraygun will determine your compressor needs. Most of what you describe can be done with a touch-up gun which typically requires far less cfm's than a full size gun.

Excellent site for this kind of advice:
www.autobodystore.com.

Log on to the message board there.
BOL,
Doug
D Sjostrom

See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/universal/ut1.htm
Start at the top of the list.

I personally hate direct drive compressors, as they run too fast, have low efficiency, and MAKE A LOT OF NOISE. Slower running belt drive compressors are more efficient.

Watch out for inflated horsepower numbers on motors, especially on direct drive units. A 20 amp circuit with 15 amp 120VAC power cord is limited to 2HP max. For 2HP or more I recommend running on 240VAC circuit for half the current and less voltage fade.

The primary feature of any air compressor is CFM. A real 2HP compressor can do about 7.5 CFM at 90 psi or 9.0 CFM at 40 psi. A true 5 HP compressor should do at least double those numbers.

For 5HP or more you should consider a two stage compressor which will be more efficient at higher pressure, and can cram a lot of air into a tank at 150-175 PSI.

For minor paint touch up work you can use a small touch up sprayer and a very minimal compressor. This might be a bleed type spray gun and a small diaphram type air pump with no air tank, doing maybe 1.2 to 1.5 CFM at around 40 psi. You can carry these small compressors in one hand and store them in a file drawer. I used one of there to do all of the primer work on my restoration project prior to the finish coat. They work fine for non-critical appearance jobs like engine bay and underbody, just a little slow for very large spray areas.
Barney Gaylord

Dan,
If you just want to paint, want small size and good quality, consider a turbine system with an HVLP gun such as TIP sells. Not cheap but works good. The turbine unit is about 2ft X 2ft X 1ft. 110V and sounds like a vacuum cleaner when it runs.

GTF
G T Foster

Another idea is to go to a auto paint store and order some paint and have them put it into spray cans. No compressor needed. This works good for small jobs.
JEFF BECKER

Dan, Sears sells a Husky touch up gun for about $30 that I have found more than adaquit for small panels and tight spaces. I used a 1HP conmpressor with a 12 galon tank for years, you can likely use a smaller unit but get one that has a tank. The tank helps keep your air pressure stable, a tankless compressor will result in uneven spray pressure at the gun. One of the small "pancake" compressors that they sell for air staplers should be enough for touchup and small panel work.
An HVLP gun requires either it's own special compressor/turbine, or a standard compressor with a 60 gallon tank.
John H

As usual great advice. Barney I wish the Brown sprayer was still available but I could not find one on the web. Doug & John: I will go to Sears to take a look at touch up guns and small compressors. Jeff: yours will be my first approach - if I can get spray cans without too much trouble, this may be the easiest solution.

Thanks all,
Dan
Dan Barton

G T

Who or what is TIP?

Thanks

Larry
Larry Hallanger

Harbor Freight is currently selling a 2-gallon compressor for $59.99 -- Only 3.4 CFM at 40 psi, but that's enough for a small touch up sprayer (or inflating tires). -- http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90539

$11.99 for a 15 piece Air Compressor Starter Kit -- http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=42005

$9.99 for an air paint sprayer and blow gun -- http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=93270

$8.99 for shipping (under $100 order).

So for $90.96 you're in the small job paint spraying business, including a tank type compressor.
Barney Gaylord

Larry- they now go by the name TP Tools & Equiptment www.tptools.com call for their catalog, have been using their tools since 94 and have one of their small blast cabinets. Gary
gary starr

While thinking about a gun and compressor, don't forget to buy moisture separator/filter to clean your compressed air of unwanted water and particulate (like rust from inside the tank, or bits of rubber left in the hose after manufacture.) Turns a good job into a great job and genreally makes life a little easier.
R. L Carleen

As John H mentioned, a bigger tank is better. Never even heard of turbo compressors before this. Worth looking into, considering size restrictions.
Tom

This thread was discussed between 27/12/2005 and 30/12/2005

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