Painting Stuff - what do I need for Air Compressor?

[ps2cho]

I am looking at respaying my car bumper and a couple other misc stuff around the house.

I currently have the following:

27gal 5HP Sanborn Air compressor - 7.1cfm@ 40psi, 5.7cfm@ 90psi.
Dewalt HVLP gun
3M PPS 2.0 Kit

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I need a dessicant system...but since I am really new to all this, could you guys guide me on some of this?

1) Is my air compressor good enough to do short spurts of painting on a bumper? I realize it might not be big enough for a whole car, but smaller parts OK?

2) I need a dessicant system and a pressure regulator, but I'm lost on "what" I need that isn't over the top for my project scope...

3) I'm finding so much info on hose size...I have regular 3/8" hose with 1/4" NPT adapters, do I need to upgrade from 1/4" NPT adapters to something bigger?

Thanks!

 

[lilredex]

I'd say you are OK as is.

My 2 HP compressor can keep ahead of my gun. Use it with non regulated (75#) air with 3/8" hoses. Keep the tank drained of moisture.

Have painted many items over the years.

 

[Jswain]

I would get a filter/regulator combo and call it good. 3/8 hose w/ 1/4 npt ends is fine for what you're doing, it's the quick couplers that make a difference. As long as you're using something quality you will likely be fine but the Milton high flow v style fittings make a pretty good difference in 1/4"

For the filter regulator just look on Amazon or similiar I have a pneumatic plus 3/8 filter/regulator with a metal bowl and it seems to be good quality and pretty cheap

 

[ps2cho]

So this one should work? No other air filters needed?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JNCSEIK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Jswain]

That would be fine for what you need, mine is this style with the regulator and filter all in the same body
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JNCS688/?tag=atomicindus08-20

But either or will work great for your needs to paint a bumper. Drain the moisture out of the tank & bottom of the filter in between coats.

In future if you want to paint bigger parts you will be setup to add a coalescing & dessicant filter

 

[K13]

For painting one bumper one of these will work fine.
https://www.harborfreight.com/disposable-inline-moisture-filter-68224.html

 

[Jswain]

Still going to need a regulator

 

[dnschmidt]

Your compressor is adequate for some LVLP full sized guns (The Iwata LPH400 and LPH300) being the kings of that hill and the gold versions of the Astro Europro series. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HZBX0VI/?tag=atomicindus08-20 work very well with small compressors but the best choice if you're only doing smaller projects like a bumper would be a mini-gun for many reasons.

1) Bumpers. A good minigun such as the Astro: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042KJ5W8/?tag=atomicindus08-20 uses very little air but still has a six inch fan which is perfect for smaller objects.
2) You’ll be able to get this into the many holes and recesses of a bumper much easier than a full size gun.
3) I’ve used this gun to paint entire fenders on cars without issue. For a fender on a truck I’ll use one of my fifty or so full sized guns.
4) Depending upon where you live you might or might not need a desiccant dryer. I don’t need one since I live in Phoenix, AZ with a normal relative humidity of 20%. I can get by perfectly with one of these filter regulator combinations: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005JDKY68/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Mine is larger than this since I have a big compressor but this one will handle what your compressor can put out. When I lived back home in Pittsburgh, PA a desiccant dryer was necessary as 70% relative humidity was relatively common. For desiccant dryers I use RTI. DeVilbiss makes a good system as well but I like RTI.

 

[ps2cho]

I also live in Phoenix too so I know I wouldnt need something as robust as if I lived in Florida, but I just don't have the experience to know. The one you linked should work!

So you dont think my HVLP will work with my compressor for short bursts?

 

[Jswain]

It will work fine.

 

[dnschmidt]

How short is short? That's the question. Under 30 seconds of continuous use you'll be fine. After a minute things will get iffy. It also depends upon what you're looking for. If you're trying to get a professional result on a car using quality automotive paint that's possible but less than easy without good equipment. If you're trying to throw some thinned down Rustoleum on some **** that really doesn't matter much you're golden. Everybody thinks that HVLP's are air efficient. That's the exact opposite of what is true. An HVLP gun will ALWAYS use more air than an RP gun. Simply go to SATA's website and see the air consumption listed for their HVLP vs. RP guns. Don't forget what the HV stands for: High Volume. With small compressors that's the problem. The reason Iwata can get away with the low air consumption of the LPH400 and LPH300 is their patented split nozzle which combines an internal with an external mix gun in one. Iwata uses the split nozzle to pre-atomize the fluid stream coming out of the nozzle prior to it's being further broken up by the aircap. This enables them to get very good atomization at a very low pressure which they claim is 16PSIG but to get best results is 20 PSIG. All other guns depend 100% on the aircap for atomization. That's why they need more air and higher pressure than these Iwata's. Your compressor is reasonable. Hell, we've got losers than come on this board and want to paint a boat with a nail gun compressor. Your question is at least in the realm of possibility.

 

[ps2cho]

Its a bumper for my 2016 Audi using factory match paint (Paint Scratch) - Monsoon Gray Metallic. It will come primed, so I just need to put base and clear, however the bumper's painted sections are all separate, maybe 4-6 sqft sections, but thats for that perspective. No difficult curves, small panels..if that makes sense, its not a one-piece bumper that will require me to do the entire length in one pass as the center grill is unpainted and splits the bumper into two sections.

Its a decent compressor, but its probably 15-20 years old - I'll look to upgrade, but moving house in the next year or so and not really looking at hauling in/out a 600lbs 80gal monster ya know.

 

[bsaint]

Desiccant air dryer. Dont let anyone talk you out of it. Youll never have a -40 dewpoint in az.


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