How big Air Compressor To Paint a Car?

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'Hi Tony, I'm new to the auto body/paint world and just want to ask: What is understand needing a 50 - 60 gallon compressor? exactly why can't i use a 25-30 gallon compressor for a complete paint job? if considering pressure variation. Can we paint the whole car by steps? say one side, let the compressor fill up, then the front, let the compressor fill up, then the opposite side, again, let the compressor fill up then finish with the back of the car. If this is possible, can you teach us how?'
Answer.
With a small air compressor tank you simply don't have the air volume (cfm) to paint a totaly car at one shot. Your gun will strain and struggle.
Your smaller tank will most likely run out of air while you're spraying nonstop going around a full car at once several.
You can take a risk and paint the entire car at one shot if frequency higher and feel atmosphere pressure drop and adjust accordingly. (I've done it) together with no problems with the amount of years of experience painting cars.
By doing this (You will have had condensation problems) your smaller tank Will get hot and create water because of constantly being on and running. See, water usually builds up in tanks anyway, that's why you've got a drain at the base of your air compressor tank. Also definitely drain it at times. More often if you've got smaller tank.
When painting using a smaller tank just like 15-25 gallon .you'll have to keep draining the tank every 2-3 passes around the car just to be safe. OR, leave it cracked just a little so as water builds up planning to automatically drain outdoors. It's also wise to have a (in-line) water separator off your tank about 10-15 feet from your tank and one at the neck of your gun. This benefits small compressors or big shop pattern. It's just good insurance to will have.
Painting a Car
The tricky part. YES, you can paint the car in steps (same day) with a compact air compressor but perhaps run into problems with overspray towards the clear coat stage. When laying clear on the car you want to spray it on at once because should wait too long and spray you is likely your other glossy clear panels dull from the overspray that you create. You get a certain time period where overspray will just melt into fresh clear coat, that what painting flash times are tips on. More on this at the VIP cub.
When freshly sprayed clear coat becomes tacky may create more overspray by spraying other adjacent panels because you had to wait for your tank to refill etc.
The overspray from the clear coat will cause your job look dull. Of course if you to be able to completely color sand and buff you would not have a worry. What you can do is, not really painting with candy, flake or pearl paint the hood, forward bumper also as your two front fenders together.
You know, two coats of base and two coats of clear coat. Let that completely dry, provided day or two later mask each of the painted parts, then paint your roof, and doors that day, and a few months later do your rear quarter panels, trunk and rear bumper to complete the profession.
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