Need help picking & using sprayer

[Lonnie in Orlando]

Loring-

I agree that 115v probably can't produce 3HP. That's why I added the "???" after the HP rating by HP. I misspoke about the tank volume. It's 23 gal.

- Lonnie

[cabinetman]

Loring-

I agree that 115v probably can't produce 3HP. That's why I added the "???" after the HP rating by HP. I misspoke about the tank volume. It's 23 gal.

- Lonnie

When you have an air tool that uses more CFM than the compressor output, the difference between 23 gal and 30 gal is minimal. It's going to deplete the stored air to the recovery PSI pretty quick.

.

[capncarl]

Most small residental air compressors have short duty cycles, or are exagerated by the mfg. and will not run the length of time needed to do much painting without self-distructing. The 5 hp Ingersol Rand that I mentioned earlier is rated at 100% duty cycle but I know that using it for hours on end as I sometimes do far exceeds what it is built for.
The HVLP paint guns and turbine pumps are really the trick for someone that does not want to mess with a larger compressor.
capncarl

[cwsmith]

By no means am I an expert or a pro, but I do love to spray finishes over other methods, if possible. I started with a little "touch-up" gun and a small Ingersoll-Rand "Energair" wheel-barrow compressor. I think it produced about 6 scfm @ 40 psig. It worked for that little pint-sized gun and I even sprayed a couple of doors with latex exterrior paint.

BUT.. It ran continuously!!!! So even with that gun, I had to stop every minute to let the air supply build up!

I now have a 33-gallon, Craftsman which supplies 8.6 scfm @ 40 psi. While it runs the little spotting gun effortlessly, it has some hesitation with a bigger C-H siphon feed. Spaying my deck with stain, would require the compressor to cycle every couple of minutes.

I'm not sure how that would compare to the HF HVLP guns, but I suspect it would be about the same. In other words, you will be very hard pressed on a small compressor like you own; to the point that the compressor will NOT be able to keep up with the gun's air volume requirements.

If your compressor is a non-lube (oil-less) you will not have to worry about oil in the air stream. But moisture from humidity will require some planning and "extras" to keep that moisture out of the air stream. Likewise with oil, if your compressor is oil lubed.

Generally, if you are planning a lot of spraying I would consider a compressor in excess of 12 scfm at 40... and probably go much higher if your budget can afford it.

I hope this helps,

CWS

[capncarl]

The HVLP (high velocity, low pressure) guns spoken of uses a compressor that resembles a vaccum cleaner without the bucket via a large dia hose to the gun. I was well pleased with a job that a painter did for me on a boat. If I did not have already have my spray equipment I would consider a HVLP rig.
capncarl