What Size Air Compressor Do You Need To Paint a Car, Can I do It With My Small 30 Gallon Air Compressor?
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Hey,
We got a new question from a few loyal subscribers of learnautobdyandpaint.com
“Hi Tony, I’m new to the auto body/paint world and just want to ask: What is the reason for needing a 50 – 60 gallon compressor? and why cant i use a 25-30 gallon compressor for a complete paint job? if due to 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 other side, again, let the compressor fill up then finish with the back of the car. What size air compressor to paint a 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 an entire car at one shot. Your gun will strain and struggle and so will your ait compressor.
Your smaller tank will most likely run out of air while you’re spraying non stop, going around a full car at once.
You can take a chance and paint the entire car at one shot if you can hear and feel the air pressure drop and adjust accordingly. (I’ve done it) and had no problems because of so many years of experience painting cars.
By doing this (You will also have 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 have a drain at the bottom of your air compressor tank. Also be sure to drain it once in a while. More often if you have a smaller tank.
When painting with a smaller tank like a 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 a little so as water builds up it will automatically drain out. 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 goes for small compressors or big shop style. It’s just good insurance to have.
Painting a Car – What Size Air Compressor To Paint Your Car?
It’s recommended to pick yourself up a 60 Gal tank with a 5-6 HP compressor that put’s out enough CFM that will supply your spray gun. Look for CFM in the ranges of 14-18 at 90PSI. This is what I have setup at the LABAP shop.
The tricky part… YES, you can paint the car in steps (same day) with a smaller air compressor but you may run into problems with overspray on the clear coat stage. When laying clear on the car you want to spray it on at once because if you wait too long and spray you will make your other glossy clear panels dull from the overspray that you create. You have a certain time frame where overspray will just melt into fresh clear coat, which is what painting flash times are all about. More on this within the VIP club.
When freshly sprayed clear coat becomes tacky and you 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 plan to completely color sand and buff you wouldn’t have a problem. What you can do is, if not painting with candy, flake or pearl… paint the hood, the front bumper and your two front fenders at once.
You know, two coats of base and two coats of clear coat. Let that completely dry, then a day or two later mask all of the painted parts, then paint your roof, and doors that day, and a few days later do your rear quarter panels, trunk and rear bumper to complete the job.
That way you complete the job till the end and you won’t have overspray nor will you need to buff.
It will basically take 3 days painting to paint your car.
I hope you understood my point! Thanks for the great question 🙂
I hope this short article inspired that yes you still can paint your car or project with a smaller compressor.
Don’t let things like this stop you. The successful person figures ways to get things done no matter how ignorant or lack of resources they may have.
They Just Do It!
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Great blogTony.I have a 25 gallon craftman compressor that send 8.6cfm at 90psi. I had painted a few cars both its true, you need a larger compressor to paint a car the same day. If you have a gun that requires 11.5 cfm it is very difficult to spray the whole car.
Yes, it also depends on the gun. It can be done, you just need to know how to adjust pressure etc… Glad you enjoyed the post Joe!
Interesting article, thanks a lot! Id never considered using a smaller tank compressor to paint. My question then would be; if you have a small tank like say 25 gal, and its rated at 7.4 cfm@40, and your gun is rated 4-7 cfm will your pressure sustain? Or is that just not enougg headroom for continuous spray?
It depends on the size of your project. I think you won’t have a problem for smaller projects but for a full car at continuous spray it may be hard, just like what I mention in the article…
Hey great tip just convinced me to up grade in the near future to a 60 plus gallon compressor . Though I painted my mazda truck with a 33 gal craftman and used a voylet gun plus filters and regulators on both gun and compressor the paint job came out pretty good , ” my one mistake was to clear coat on a very hot sunny day ,” this caused a nightmare of Orange peel but I fixed it with alot of wet sanding 1500 grit & 2000 grit than buffed it down like a mad dog Final result MAGIC . Thank you Tony for looking out and your tip’s . Aloha from Puerto Rico .
Awesome Joe. Aloha buddy haha… 🙂
One question is it possible to paint a car with a 12 gallon compressor..Thank you
It will be hard. I don’t think that little thing can push out enough CFM. You’ll probably be ok doing small parts and panels. Please read the article, I spoke about this…
hey Tony how big is your air compressor ? and what are the running spects
I have a 33 Gal and a 60 Gallon for complete car painting. What are you looking to do?
HI TONY HOW TO PAINT CANDY AND PEARL
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Tony, Just read this article and I also had the same question about volume (CFM). If volume is the limiting factor and you don’t have the coin to shell out for a large compressor, can you modify your system and add a larger pressure tank to get the job done or is there other factors to consider?
hi David,
Yes you can add an additional larget tank to have more volume. It will work to an extent.
I’m considering restoring my ’65 Mustang. I plan on doing my own body and paint job. Can you tell me if a 60 gallon air compressor will be sufficient having the needed CFM to paint the entire car?
hey Dean, Yes, tank wise. Not sure what CFM that one put’s out. What HP is it?
Hi Tony! I’m john Mery Xmas to u man. Thanks for your videos it has helped me a lot.
Glad you like them bud. Keep cranking!
Tony, What about mobile paint work, what would be the ideal compressor to use? Especially, if the job itself would be relatively small (bamper paint, touch up, some blending). The paint gun would be SATA jet 5000 B. Would 30 gal one will make it ( there is 15.2 cfm requirement for that particular gun). Or that one too should be at least 60 gal? And if so, do you really need to permanently install in on a truck/van or you can just have it there and take it out when needed?
A small 110v 30 gal 5hp setup will be more than enough. Learn more in VIP here: https://vip1.learnautobodyandpaint.com/exclusivevip Also check out the New Atom X20 at https://zoolaa.com they are great spray guns at fantastic prices and compare in quality and performance with the SATA spray guns.
Hello I am working on small parts only and perhaps a moped in the future what would be the best air compressor and spray gun for this? I mean specific brand and everything as well.
We recommend a 30 gallon 5 hp compressor. Plus, we highly suggest you check out the Atom X20 Spray Gun. For detailing, try out the Atom Mini X16 model. Check them out here: https://www.zoolaa.com/
I bough the new snap on 5 hp 30 gal compressor, will that be good enough to do light body work and smaller paint jobs for example Hood and fender and blend into the door, then by the time I mix the clear could I clear all of that?
He Mike, I explain everything in VIP! Check it out here: https://www.learnautobodyandpaint.com/vip-offer/
I have iwata ws400 super Nova
Hey Mike! That is awesome! Grab your FREE manual if you still haven’t to get cranking on your car project! https://learnautobodyandpaint.com/free-autobody-manual
We also recommend you check out the Atom Spray Guns are these are awesome guns! I have been using these in my shop and can attest to how these guns produce awesome results! Check them out here: https://www.zoolaa.com/
Hey Tony, just recently checked out some of your videos. Great stuff!
I have done a quick paint job in a day using spray cans on an old beat up truck, but I am thinking about taking on the project of painting a vehicle that I would like to come out a little nicer. I don’t plan on painting too much in the future, so I am curious if you think I could get the job done with some less expensive equipment.
I am working with a 26 gal 1.8 hp compressor, which is rated for 6cfm at 40psi, and was thinking of trying a $70 gun which operates at 4.3 cfm at 40 psi. I realize this is a lower cfm than the hvlp guns most people use, but would it be ok to paint the car with this setup? If I use a single stage paint instead of bc/cc would that help?
Would you have any suggestions as far as equipment that would keep my total cost low? Maaco quoted me at $1100, so I’m looking to stay in the $500 range total cost with paint if I take the time to do it myself.
Thank you in advance! Your videos have been very helpful.
Hey AJ! Thanks for reaching out. It’s kinda difficult to explain it here. Why don’t you jump on during my live show so we can talk more about auto body! Grab the free manual too if you still haven’t: https://learnautobodyandpaint.com/free-autobody-manual
I have a 10.5 gallon 5.5 horsepower air compressor. If I take the car apart and paint the parts separately within a week will I be fine? I will be painting a 1983 Cutlass supreme
It’s a small tank, but it can be done. You’ll need a MP-LVLP spray gun, check out the Atom X20 at https://zoolaa.com also check out VIP: https://vip1.learnautobodyandpaint.com/exclusivevip good luck!
Thanks for the advice about the gallons required for spraying. I just want to paint my 1987 Chevy Silverado v10 a flat black primer with a flat red primer punisher skull on the hood. So thanks to you i finally have a starting point 🙇♂️🙇♂️🙇♂️
You are most welcome Thunderfang. Grab your free manual if you still haven’t https://learnautobodyandpaint.com/free-autobody-manual Also, check out the Atom Spray Guns which are definitely high quality but super affordable: https://www.zoolaa.com/
Great reply, many thanks as a friend has asked me would I spry his car have some experience painting parts and smaller items but not a full car. Cheers
Awesome David! Start with small projects first like panels before painting a full car! Have you checked out VIP? https://www.learnautobodyandpaint.com/vip-offer/
Looking to paint a 66 passenger school bus white so that it doesn’t look like a cheese wagon. I know its a big project, but any advice you can give me would be extremely helpful. Any thoughts on what kind of air compressor I should purchase?
Hey Curtis, check out VIP and see how it can help you paint the 66 passenger school bus! https://www.learnautobodyandpaint.com/vip-offer/
Hi Tony, the compressor I was planning on is 60 gallons, and 13.4 cfm @ 40 psi. But it only is 3.7 hp. I was planning on single stage for final coat and painting in pieces, doors, hood, fenders etc. Is the 5hp critical? Thanks!
Noah! I talk a lot about that in VIP! check it out here: https://www.learnautobodyandpaint.com/vip-offer/
HEY IM LOOKING AT A FULL RESPRAY ON MY COMMY UTE, WILL A 2.5 HP / 3.5HP COMPRESSOR WITH A 50/60 LITRE TANK PUSHING OUT 180L PER MIN IF IM SPRAYING AT 30 PSI 35PSI CHEERS FROM JAMES.
How about I just buy a 60 gallon compressor, be great for the sanding and painting :). Do harbor freight compressors suck?
Hey Daniel! Check out this blog: https://www.learnautobodyandpaint.com/picking-your-air-compressor-for-automotive-painting/
I also recommend that you check out VIP as it will definitely help you with your car projects! https://www.learnautobodyandpaint.com/vip-offer/ Best of luck!
electric spray can work on automobile paint jobs ? i am curious but i hate use air compress
I use air compressors mostly and the best spray guns to use is the Atom Spray Guns. Check it out here: https://www.zoolaa.com/
Hey T,
Planning to buy a compressor this weekend. Will a direct coupled work? Here’s the specs, 2HP, max 115 psi, 3.7 cfm, 25 liters. Thank you!
little small. A full gar, you’d need at least a 5hp and 60 gallons of air volume.
Hello, good morning. I have a Dewalt D55146 4.5 gallon, i believe 5.0 scfm @ 90psi…been breaking my head wondering if I can paint my car with it, everything I read says no and it’s what I have, can I use it in small stages, a section of the car at a time with a Binks Model 7?
Hello, good morning. I have a Dewalt D55146 4.5 gallon, i believe 5.0 scfm @ 90psi…been breaking my head wondering if I can paint my car with it, everything I read says no and it’s what I have, can I use it in small stages, a section of the car at a time with a Binks Model 7?
Yes, you should be ok with that compressor but I would also look into a good LVLP-MP spray gun. You may want to check out https://zoolaa.com