So i've decided i'm gonna try my hand at painting my mini myself.... i figure why not... would be a cool skill to have...
anyway, what should i be looking for when buying a Spray Gun, Air Compressor and Paint?

From looking through the forums it seems i'll need a gravity fed spray gun, and ill be painting in acrylic paint... what i want to know tho is what brand / type of spray gun is good to use and what "specifications" should i be looking for in a compressor??

There is a 2HP Compressor on sale at Autobarn atm for $119 its got a 21L Tank, is 85-115PSI and can pump 206L/Minute ... would this do the job?

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1975 Hairy Lime/White Clubby
Build Thread: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=80657

The prices on HVLP guns has dropped to where "normal" people like you & me can afford them - Devlibiss are the holy grail but cost the earth and are only justifiable for professionals. Check out Ebay. I paid about NZ$160 for mine at a retailer and could get it cheaper online.

However, don't mistake the "low pressure" tag for low air requirements - I have a 3HP compressor which is quite big (60 litre tank) and supplies 13 cubic feet per minute and I wouldn't want to use anything smaller. I think that the smaller compressors aren't particularly good buys - you don't want to have the pressure drop in the middle of painting or having the compressor constantly running as you'll have enough to concentrate on. Also, larger compressors can drive proper tools, like rattle guns, air hammers and so on. This will enable you to re-inact the V8 Supercars pitstops in your driveway (if you can find three more spare tyres )


The pic above is the same as mine, currently available here for NZ$550. Okay it's Chinese but it hasn't missed a beat in two years or more. You do need to maintain any compressor, draining water and checking oil etc, but they have other advantages - pumping up tyres and blowing dust off things (around sparkplugs before removing them)

i have 2 of the small cheep compressors, the 206Lpm one will run my gun(not gravity fed) fine over one panel (like a door) and then have a few moments rest and itll do another, but its the roof thats the killer, they really struggle on a panel that size. although it will run a touch up gun all day long with no worries. Next time i do a whole car i will be bridging 2 small compressors together....So:

just buy a descent one if you can afford it, if not, you will get by on a small 2hp one, just make sure its the 200+ lpm one as supacheep sell one that puts out less volume.

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speed costs....how fast do you want to go...

if i was to go the options of 2 of the cheaper compressors and "bridging" them.... what do i need to create that brige and is it a thing i would have to get custom made?

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1975 Hairy Lime/White Clubby
Build Thread: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=80657

um, just run 2 short pipes (one from each comp) into a "T" piece, run both at full pressure and fit a regulator after the "T"

Compressor 1
"T" piece - regulator - moisture trap - Hose
Compressor 2

does that make sense?

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speed costs....how fast do you want to go...

dont need any kind of air storage tank between the T piece and the regulator?

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1975 Hairy Lime/White Clubby
Build Thread: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=80657

nope, cos its still using the storage in the normal tanks, thats where a setup like angus has is better though, becahse your still only going to get 42L storage whereas he has 60L.
alternitivly, buy a little compressor for yourself, itls fine for small jobbies and touchups, tyres, duster etc,
and hire a big one to spray the car.

the two comp setup suits me because i can have one at uni with me, and one at home so dad can keep air in his landrover tyres.

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speed costs....how fast do you want to go...

I'd rather go one good big compressor than multiple cheapies.
A lot less hassle setting up, moving, and it's more reliable and energy efficient.

If i was to go the way of one big compressor..

What Volume Tank? 50-60L ??
What Pressure? does this depend on the spray gun you are using?
What Power? is 200+ L/minute okay with a 50L tank, or does the power also need to rise with the tank size?

Thanks for all the recomendations so far

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1975 Hairy Lime/White Clubby
Build Thread: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=80657

harley IS right, a big single is the way to go, i would go with somthing like angusdog has, thats a nice home setup and is exactly what i would have if location/funds allowed.

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speed costs....how fast do you want to go...

Does the air quality affect the paint job?

I've been dealing with compressed air at work but I'm a noob on the topic. All of the good compressed air installations seem to have air filters and dryers on the discharge so that instruments are not contaminated so these produce "instrument quality" air.

So, does carry over of compressor oil and residual moisture in the air affect paint quality noticeably?

I doubt anyone at home could justify a compressor with refrigerated or dessicant dryer, oil separator and 5 micron filter but what do the proper panel shops use?

Wet air would be a real problem in Qld in the summer.

M.

Moisture is a big problem. Get yourself a decent sized moisture trap.

You don't need a dryer and Instrument Air (would be nice though).

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Too many cars, and too little time.

The standard `moisture trap' on the regulators supplied with home 240V compressors are always too small.
Bigger (taller) is better. One day I'll make a BIG one.
There is always a drain plug under the receiver, many painters leave it cracked open just a touch whilst running, so water can drain out.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I've got a cheap compressor and a $19 spray gun. Sure, the bigger and more expensive equipment can be better. But, if you take the time to set up and maintain your equipment properly (this sometimes takes a lot of patience) the cheaper smaller ones will do just fine.

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Take it easy, & if it's easy take it twice!!

yer it really does come down to how you look after your gear, you could go buy a 800 dollar satajet or a devilbliss gun but leave dry paint in it and you can do a better job with a can, so its up to you. with the compressor, get one like that yellow one, any smaller and it will probably blow up cos of running too much . but its up to you what your willing to spend.