Is my compressor enough?

[JA5544]

I am completely ignorant about hvlp, and want to start messing around with it. My first question is whether or not my compressor can handle some light spraying. I’m not wanting to spray cars or anything, just some woodworking projects. My compressor is a 26 gallon kobalt that says it is rated at 4.5 scfm @90 psi. I imaging the flow rate should be a lot higher at the substantially lower lower pressure required by the sprayers. So, what do y’all think? Can it handle some light spraying?

 

[kctyphoon]

I am completely ignorant about hvlp, and want to start messing around with it. My first question is whether or not my compressor can handle some light spraying. I’m not wanting to spray cars or anything, just some woodworking projects. My compressor is a 26 gallon kobalt that says it is rated at 4.5 scfm @90 psi. I imaging the flow rate should be a lot higher at the substantially lower lower pressure required by the sprayers. So, what do y’all think? Can it handle some light spraying?

I’m not very informed on this - but HVLP is high volume, low pressure.. so think - leaf blower, small shop vac being used as a blower.. its just a different type of system. YouTube should help. It should mean lots of air, not very pressurized.

That said - you dont need that to apply a finish. A typical spay gun that would work with your compressor should be ok. You may just need to thin out what you want to spray, like youd do with most stuff. I’d spend some time watching videos - but to my knowledge hvlp is a different system completely. I’m sure someone that can help more will be along shortly.

 

[JA5544]

I think I’m gonna have to buy a cheap gun and just see how it goes.

 

[NC Rick]

For small jobs you shouldn’t have a problem. If the compressor needs to run a lot you are much more likely to get moisture in the air-line which will cause havoc on paint jobs. Some kind of filter separator could help. That a decent sized air tank which really helps.

 

[kctyphoon]

I think I’m gonna have to buy a cheap gun and just see how it goes.

Those purple guns at HF actually get great reviews.. they are like $15 i think. I belive theyve even been seen on tv with like Foose or somebody using them to apply primer coats. I’m betting theres some body shop that probably buy those things by the dozens and use em a few times for one job and then just toss them out like people do with paint rollers. - instead of wasting time and paying people to clean out guns.

Its been a LONG time - but i used a cheap sprayer (one with the metal tank on the bottom) to paint all the 6 panel doors when i renovated my house.. i had to thin the hell out of the paint, but its worked just fine without one drip anywhere.

Spend some time on YouTube - its probably the best way to learn what you want to do. I’m definitely not the expert on this, and theres a chance I’m wrong about everything.. lol

 

[kctyphoon]

I am completely ignorant about hvlp, and want to start messing around with it. My first question is whether or not my compressor can handle some light spraying. I’m not wanting to spray cars or anything, just some woodworking projects. My compressor is a 26 gallon kobalt that says it is rated at 4.5 scfm @90 psi. I imaging the flow rate should be a lot higher at the substantially lower lower pressure required by the sprayers. So, what do y’all think? Can it handle some light spraying?

Yea listen man - i was just looking online for a quick sec, and I’m not at all confident in the previous info i posted on my first response. I’m thinking of something else i believe. So wait for someone else or hit up YouTube.

You could try making a second thread with a different title if this one isnt getting hits.

 

[saryon7]

Yes, your compressor should be fine. I have a 30 gallon tank and mine works good. If it is a bigger project you will need to let it recharge a time or two, but for smaller woodworking projects it will work just fine. I also recommend getting one of these pop up tents and a cheap box fan to face out against one of the walls, and a tarp. If you don't have the tent, you WILL get little bugs and dust. If you don't have the fan, you will get overspray.
Also, those cheap purple guns from harbor freight are great for spraying lacquer. I have gone through probably 15-20 of them over the years. (I use them for teaching in my shop class too) and they are very good for the money. When they need replacement, it is because of improper cleaning. Granted, I have never painted something like a really fine auto finish, but everything I have done turns out well with those guns.

 

[metlmunchr]

Depends on what you plan to spray. The higher the material viscosity, the more air you have to have to properly atomize the material. Clear lacquer, for example, doesn't take all that much pressure with one of the purple HF guns. But, to shoot clear polyurethane, you'd have to open up the air to break up the material. And you can't just thin it down to water consistency because you'll have problems with the material skimming over before the solvents can evaporate, and then a bunch of tiny craters (called solvent pop) as the solvents evaporate and pop thru the surface.

IMO, lacquer is much easier to spray and the solvents flash off much faster, thus drying to a dust free condition much quicker than poly. When I'm doing any wood finishing, I stick with lacquer if spraying, but I brush if using poly even though I've got plenty of air capacity and good guns that would handle the poly just fine.

 

[ATC]

My friend has painted 3 trucks with the 30gal Kobalt compressor. Generally, you'll run out of paint in the gun before the compressor empties.

 

[Stooge]

i painted my white truck with a 30gallon Husky, and although, not counting the interior, I broke it up the job into 2, (cab forward and bed) I didn't have any issues with running out of air.