Howdy Voks,

Was thinking of buying one of those dirt cheap GMC compressors that are around at the mo. I think they are running at about $99 for a 20 litre tank and about 12CFM from memory I might be wrong.

Would these be up to much for doing small spray jobs ??? The odd patch up a dent type application, POR 15 the underside, touch up the wheels. Im thinking they are a ways off to handling a whole car/bus at a time but for the small things.

Im taking it I would need a low pressure gun and im away ????

Any advice/Reccomendations muchly appreciated.

Oh and as an aside has anyone ever touched up a Crystal White 566-15453 coloured bus 74-75 using the dupli colour cans called Fuji White Nissan apparently the same....

Cheers

Scooter

Bump
I wouldn't mind knowing myself

:jesus:jesus DONT DO IT!!!!!!! Buy a better compressor!!! I bought on of those things and first attempt to use it and it seized pumping up tyres (got 3 done).Took it back and met another guy at the shop on his way out.Same problem but his worked twice.Ended up spending the xtra cash and bought a belt drive one. Cost a bit more but better in the long run if you can afford it !!!!:bounce

You would have more luck with the Dupli colour cans than that kind of compressor.

At least a $300 10 or maybe 12 cfm cheap one for the tyes and touch up/ wheels jobs.

I wouldn't buy a compressor less than 15 cfm if I was doing bigger than just a few touch ups.

don't blame the tools!
I bought an "eger bever"($130)15yrs ago and last year I painted the 71 Sbug with it.just bought an arlec comp to do small jobs and maybe baja (yet to buy).If you not going to use it everday then go the small one.but its your money.

eager bevers are a good brand, a lot of people spray houses with them, i don't think they can be compared to GMC.

150 15 years ago was a bit more expensive than 99 today if you know what i mean...

DON"T BUY GMC!!!!!!

I recently bought the 40L version of the GMC compressor, $199. Used it for spraying with a touch up gun, no problems so far, but I've only used it once.
Mick, if yours seized up, I hate to ask but did you remember to add the oil?

The GMC comps are 206L/min (7.3cfm) displacement. This is not the same as FAD (Free Air Delivery) which is 117L/min (4.1cfm). Don't get confused between the two, always find out what the FAD is as this is the flow rate of air to your tool/spray gun and is generally the air flow rate by which tools are rated (I think). Manufacturers generally like to quote the displacement as it's a bigger number and sounds better. Most compressors will state both figures, but you might have to look closely for the FAD.

Based on the retailers I went to, a comp which will deliver 10-12cfm is going to cost over well over $300.00 even for a cheapy. eg Scorpion brand 205l/min (7.2cfm) FAD $689, 245L/min (8.6cfm) FAD $790. My point being, compressors are expensive and you get what you pay for. For most home handy people, a little one will do. The GMC comes with a two year warranty, so what if you have to return it and get a new one every few months, not bad for $99. Just make sure the tools you buy will operate at the output of your compressor.

Yes...added the oil,did everything right,was just a "cheap" compressor. They had a few returns and happily gave me my money back and $200 off an 18cfm with a 60 litre tank which ended up costing $589. No complaints with the two cylinder belt drive monkey and have since rebuilt engines and spray painted with no problems. My old man bought a beaver sprayer about 17 years ago to paint the house,still works fine.Different kettle of fish to an air compressor though. Wished they pumped up tyres and made air tools work...:bounce:bounce

I think the point I was trying to make was price & size dont matter if your not using it every day.lots of patience & good prep work and you'll do a better job than a "paint shop"even if your using a $90 unit.

Ok....

So Im getting a decent picture now.

The $99 with the 20 litre tank is a waste of time but the $199 is a better option. Still excellent value in my opinion. And as a dodgy home renovator the GMC tools have always been cheap reliable reasonable quality and with a 2 year replacement who cares !!!

But Im still a bit confused. I get the 40L 7.2CFM ??? unit with a low pressure gun, whats the downside when spraying, would i loose pressure every few minutes and have to wait.

I think Rob is making an excellent point, good prep and patience will win out in the end.

Cheers

Scotty

If you're only doing small things, you shouldn't loose pressure every few minutes, I didn't painting my fuel tank with a touch up gun. Just check what the recommended air flow rate is for the gun.

One more thing, do yourself a favour and buy a separate filter/regulator unit. Park it as close to your spray gun as is practical. For spraying POR, invest in one of their water filter things.

robnjo is right, good prep work and patience will help.
I have one of those CIG home fence paint guns, with the vacum type unit, it has sprayed the primer on my bus and did a very good job.
Will be getting the 2-pac sprayed properly as you need breathing gear but if I was doing acrylic I would use the same gun,
It is just time that makes a good paint job,
The more time you spend on the prep the better the job.
Cheers
Dave

I'll be painting the sqaure soon (hopefully) with. I was thinking of hiring the gear rather than buying (I was almost sucked into the price of the GMC) Firstly can you hire compressors & guns, second what specs should I ask for??

hey all...i work at bunnings...i know for a fact that GMC thing is crap...
there is no way it could perform well spraying a car....
i am spraying my car atm and i bought a good compressor and a good gun and u cant go wrong with that...but i suppose i should say i managed to score a 14cfm pilot air industrial compressor from my mums work for $50!!!:party
but yeh...those GMC things will also produce a lot of water...thats bad when ur spraying..

jonno

EDIT: hey 65, hiring is good for the one off job umm...dunno how much it is but go for kennards...u'll need a minimum of 12cfm for the compressor and a good suction or gravity gun...but it might be worth buying a new one..ring VG Auto paints they have a star 770 for about 90 bux i think. its what i got, very simple but its a fantastic gun its got all the controls u need....

VG Auto Paints
11 Amax Ave Girraween NSW 2145

Ph: (02) 9636 5411

Fax: (02) 9636 5300

Thanks jonno!

i am a painter and beater and you get what you pay for i reckon . Ive used them all. For small jobs 10 cfm is good butt for runing tools off like sanders or pumping up more than 1 tyre or painting more than 1 guard forget it ive got a 16 cfm in my home work shop and it will do 99% of all jobs i want it to do .It will even run a sand blaster on medium size parts paint full size cars and pump up full size truck tyers on my kenworth hope this info help thers nothing worst than spending good money only to find out what you brought was crap when all you had to spend is a nother $200 and you will have that tool for 10 years .
all so the 770 is great gun for the price you wont go rong there.
travis :thumb