Suggestions for First Full Repaint?

R

rlboinski

I have repainted parts here and there using a Fuji Semi-Pro 2 and generally had good results. I am looking to redo a entire car this time and am wondering if it might be better to use a different system, especially as I have not yet worked with SPI and don't know its spray characteristics or what application rate provides the best result. If my system will be lacking, what is a setup I could purchase that is reasonably priced but good quality. Lacking some conveniences or features that are "nice to have" is fine. Thank you and I am sincerely looking forward to this project!
 
What you have is generally used for furniture refinishing. I know some who use turbines to spray parts but when it comes to automotive painting most use a large compressor, a drier/filtering system, regulator, 50' 3/8" hose, high flow fittings and a quality brand name spray gun. The guns are expensive (as much as your whole outfit) and require a compressor with a high CFM output rating and tank.

Plan on spending some serious money to get set up properly. Only worth it if you plan to be spraying more than one car.
 
Thank you for the information. I will consider this when making my decision, but it is something I would do more than once provided I had more projects. From what I have done so far it is definitely a skill I would enjoy developing.
 
You got that right 68 R/t, I have been covered up all summer from people seeing my old truck I repainted . I guess it's a good thing for people to desire your work.
 
JC Daniel said:
You got that right 68 R/t, I have been covered up all summer from people seeing my old truck I repainted . I guess it's a good thing for people to desire your work.
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I think I would enjoy that problem! Anyone have recommendations for a starting compressor/drier/filer/regulator setup? There is plenty to read up on the spray gun comparisons but I am having trouble finding much about specific compressor recommendations.
 
Get the biggest one you can afford since it is literally the "heart" of your shop. I have an 80 gallon, two-stage that puts out 15.6 CFM at 100 PSI. Personally I think that would be a minimum size for a one man operation.
If you plan to us a DA, blast cabinet or other air tools be sure to check their CFM requirements. Spray guns can require upwards of 13 CFM of air to operate correctly. You want a compressor that puts out more than that so it doesn't have to run constantly.
 
I bought a Polar Air compressor made by Eaton of Ohio, 7.5hp ,4 cylinder, Auto drain, Belt tensioner built in and 27 cfm's at 175 lbs. I really love the compressor especially with a 5 year warranty, Barry guided me to get a water trap with pressure gauge built in then a motor guard oil colilessor , and then a 1 gallon desiccant that I bought from zoro. The compressor was somewhere around 2000.00, oil filter 65.00, desiccant was about 160.00, I bought the water trap at harbor freight for 40.00. The compressor at harbor freight will work but you will be waiting for air when running a da sander.
 
rlboinski said:
https://www.harborfreight.com/5-hp-60-gallon-165-psi-two-stage-air-compressor-93274.html

Any reason this would not work with tha iwata LPH-400-LV? I don't know enough about compressors to know if some are too dirty/wet to be filtered/dried even with a good system.
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I have this compressor, although its labeled U.S. General, but same specs. I also have an LPH400 which I use for epoxy and base, and an sata5000 I use for clear. The compressor is more than capable. I also use it for Da'ing and intermittent media blasting. I have an oil cooler heat exchanger to cool the air after is come out of the compressor but before it goes in the tank. There's a drop after the oil cooler and a oil/water separator before the tank as well which catches a lot of water. I've measured the lines coming out of the oil cooler to be about ambient, so I know it works well. I rely on the fan built into the pulley to move air across the oil cooler.
 
Here it is. I was just da'ing and went to check the temp. with the compressor running. 160 F on the pump head just before the rubber hose outlet, 140 on the inlet to the heat exhanger, and 79 on the outlet of the exchanger. I get very little water in the tank.
I used Eaton Easy Couple hose and had a local hydraulic hose company make up the two hoses, I think ~$20 each 2 years ago.
file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/Easy%20Couple%20H201%20Hose%20_E-HOBR-MS001-E5_December%202017.pdf
This was just a "temporary" setup, 2 years ago, but it appears permanent now.;)
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What psi are you running through the heat exchange? That is exactly what will solve the rest of my water troubles.
 
Always check Facebook and craigslist also, sometimes you can get some really good deals on used compressors and equipment
 
150 for that is a rip off. Save money and put it towards something decent.

Save up for good tools, the results with them will be better and come easier. And if it's something you don't want to stay doing you have something desirable to sell in the end.

I always figured when I got into this that by doing even one project for yourself, you will pay for your tools in what you save over paying someone else to do it. Instead of paying someone an hourly rate, your paying for tools to do it yourself. It's a trade off.

Start pricing quality paint jobs, I figured at least 10k, and that's probably really low, but even that will get you a pretty good start. Spend 3-4k in materials and it doesn't seem so expensive to spend 2-3k for a compressor and 500 for a gun.
 
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