What would be the minimum size /horse power compressor that would be suitable for spraying my bus ?

40 ltr , 2.5hp + would be a go'er. I've used a 40lt to pray a kombi before. Just takes a little longer.

I think you need 12 cfm for spraying

Just bought a compressor today.
Its a 3 hp, 58 litre, 17cfm.
Ive been advised that this will spray a kombi no problem.

Cheers
Dave

bone collector was spot on with what i use and ive sprayed about 3 or 4 cars with it and its fine get a dehumidifyer though this will take the water residue out of the air and wont muck up the paint (just ask them at the paint shop) there chea and save alot of hassels

Thanks guys, very helpful i'll get into it.

Hello

Does anyone know if those cheap 2.5hp 20 litre one will cope with doing a beetle? I figure they must be better than spray cans?

I'd like to mostly use it for redoing guards and doors etc.

What do they miss out on that the 40L ones have? Do they not flow enough volume or does the compressor work over time trying to keep the pressure up?

Thanks
Jeremy

Ok i gotta agree with 57kombi as i have a 17cfm one as well. The thing is if you go to this size then you can eventually run most of the air tools you will ever need and you will never look back once you start to use them

Its always better to have too much than not enough.
The little ones might paint but the pump will be running all the time, and you might even have to wait till it gets the pressure up. Most HVLP guns need about 60psi and normal guns need about 40-50psi, they also run at about 10-12 cfm.

Cheers
Dave

Cheers
Dave

I am also looking for an air compressor and from the information and help i have recieved i would highly recomend to anyone after a compressor that you over compensate. Spend a little more money and get something that will be able to do all the jobs rather than having to go out and upgrade.

i bought a 14 cfm and was told it was only good to do half a kombi
but depending on the time you got if you do a bit at a time a 12cfm is fine
but if you want to do the whole kit and coboddle in one day 17 cfm

i've just bought a 12cfm 50 gallon one...
got a load of power tools at the same time.

gonna try my hand at spraying in the next month or two. :bounce

kai

There is a lot of good advice given here.

Generally you will find that 12-17 cfm is a good amount of airflow.

2-3 hp motor is good and more expensive compressors will have Australian made electric motors such as Betts

Tank size 50l and above is good as it is a reservoir and stops your spray gun or tools from dropping pressure dramatically when initially used.

Belt drive is preferable as this allows you to be able to get components repaired more easily and the heat from the pump will not be near the motor allowing it all to run a little cooler.

All pumps are made in China or wherever is cheap. The good brands are assembled in Australia using only imported pumps.

The small direct drive 10 cfm,2hp units you see for $200 are not designed for spraying. They are more suited for nail guns.

Done a lot of research on this matter and the bare minimum is 12cfm. 2.5hp and a 50 litre tank. I have been informed that this set up is only good for the hobbiest who is not in a rush to get the job done. You will need to wait for the tank to catch up and time to cool down, especcially if you have a close coupling that didn't cost too much. Good luck with it.

Seems that is all anyone wants is the bare minimum.

Yep ideally a 3hp 17cfm belt driven 60litre tank unit would be the go. A good brand like McMillan would be about $950 up in this area. A Scorpion would be about $800.

Betts motors or Fasco as they became are now made in thailand ,no manufacturing here anymore,(ex employee) not disgruntled got a better job now:thumb

I sell metal work pnumatics I will post some good deals in the for sale section soon , filter / dryer / regulators

I just got a $200 40 ltr unit from bunnings. Works OK if you dont push it and let the thing catch up. Sure it's running most of the time but that's ok.

Just let it build up enough pressure before you spray so you get a decent result.

It might not cope too well with hardcore air tools but painting a car is fine.

It will be the quickest tyre pumper upper you can buy.

I think you may find in the future it will not be suitable for spray painting.

Im with sax. i am borrowing my grandfathers 40l 2hp, and although it hasnt offered me the broad stroke of a decent gun, i have still been able to spray my whole kombi without too much trouble and it looks great (will look alot better when i get around to cutting it back in a month or so). so if you have to you definitely can use a lesser gun, it will just take more care, maybe a little more paint and a little more cleanup work.

i got me a 14cfm pilot trade air for $50 from work...worth 900 new..but its direct drive...whats the difference in having direct or belt?
i actually thought that belts were worse than direct drives....

jonno

With belt drive you have a seperate motor so if it stuffs up you can replace it.
The direct drive ones have just that, direct drive, if it stuffs up you might as well throw it away.

Cheers
Dave

one other thing over looked is the tanks cast iron tanks build up less condensate as a alloy or steel tank and also look at how the flow is under pressure and its recovery time most cfm ratings are to free air.