Portable Air Compressor Recommendations

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Hey all,

Looking for some recommendations here.

I own an auto detailing business and we specialize in paint polishing and applying ceramic coating.

At our shop we have a nice 80 gal IR compressor thats been a complete beast for us, but I'm in need of a reliable compressor I can put into our van for mobile jobs.

Note I need one that can handle HVLP usage.

We do at times need to be able to spray our ceramic coating with an HVLP and need something that can keep up.

Also, if anyone can recommend/show/link a filter set up that will make 100% sure no moisture gets inline, that would be awesome (since water mixing with the coating during application is a no-no).

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Citation]

How many cfm? What power source are you assuming will be available? Would you consider a gas powered compressor?

 

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

How many cfm? What power source are you assuming will be available? Would you consider a gas powered compressor?

From what I've seen most HVLP's are requiring 9-12 CFM. I don't have a ton of experience with HVLP spraying at this point, so very open to input and things to consider.

For power source I have a skid mount in my van - the heart of which is a 9 hp Honda motor which I can use to give me direct power via my generator (15 amp) or I can flip a switch to have it power my pressure washer.

Id be open to a gas one if that was the only option I have.

 

[tarbellb]

9-12 cfm is a healthy amount of air to push, agreed that HVLP will likely need all of that, and with high duty cycle.

Might want to consider using the 9hp Honda motor to power a bigger compressor head tied to whatever size tank you can fit onboard. That Honda motor is plenty powerful for powering a good compressor head.


Typical 30 gallon compressors (about the size I think you would want to fit onboard) push 4-7 cfm @ 90psi. A 15 amp gene will struggle to power anything big enough for that much air.