7 replies to this topic

[andysmini1]

I'll be painting the underside of my mini ( using Rustoleum ) soon and need either a compressor and gun or an electric spray gun like the earlex system.

If i go for a compressor then it will probably be a 50 Litre jobby with 8.3 cfm, 2hp and a gun that will manage about 7cmf.
Good point is that after spraying the car i will have a compressor to use for other jobs.
Bad point is it will use up valuable garage space and i probably wouldn't use it much after anyway

The other option is an electric spray gun from Earlex which has had positive reports.

Which would you go for and if you have an Earlex gun which have you got and is it any good?

Looking at the Earlex Spray System 1900 at £45.98 inc vat from Machine Mart.



Ta!

Edited by andysmini1, 22 May 2009 - 07:43 PM.

[Ro8bieg]

i'd personally go for a compressor then you have the option to buy other air tools etc..

[andysmini1]

Ok so if i were to get a compressor and it's cfm was say 8.3, do i need to get a gun that's rated no more than 8.3cfm?

Also is it important to have a larger capacity tank than a smaller one with higher cfm rating?

Edited by andysmini1, 22 May 2009 - 07:55 PM.

[MEhinger]

You are asking an age old question. Let me say if you buy a compressor, you will soon find more uses than you can imagine. The electric sprayer is a one purpose tool. That being said, if you buy a small compressor like you describe, as you add uses it will soon become too small. What you describe will not run any air tools. You will soon want a bigger one. So my suggestion is get a compressor and the biggest one you can afford. A good sized compressor with a vertical tank doesn't take that much floor space and can reside in a corner.

On the issue of capacity, there are two important valuse. What cfm at what psi. The ratings are for continuous operation. A typical spray gun (say siphon feed) takes about 6-7 cfm at 40 psi. Air tools usually require 8-9 cfm at 100 psi. If your compressor is too smal you will have to stop frequently to let the pressure build back up.

Edited by MEhinger, 22 May 2009 - 08:03 PM.

[andysmini1]

Cheers, i think i am leaning towards the compressor as i will probably use it more once i get more air tools.

I did find this which seems very good value for money £149 inc vat:

# Air displacement 9.5cfm
# 2.5HP, 230V motor
# 50 litre air receiver
# MWP 116psi
# Fully automatic control
# Fitted with fully adjustable air outlet pressure regulator
# Noise level - 97dbA

Edited by andysmini1, 22 May 2009 - 08:26 PM.

[Burnard]

Cheers, i think i am leaning towards the compressor as i will probably use it more once i get more air tools.

I did find this which seems very good value for money £149 inc vat:

# Air displacement 9.5cfm
# 2.5HP, 230V motor
# 50 litre air receiver
# MWP 116psi
# Fully automatic control
# Fitted with fully adjustable air outlet pressure regulator
# Noise level - 97dbA

Where is that from? looks like a good deal.

[andysmini1]

Ah sorry, a link would have been helpful!!

http://www.wolf.tv/v.....r Compressors

[Burnard]

I'm no compressor expert, but personally, i would stump up the extra £50 and get the 3hp one, i cant find anything with that kind of spec at that price, and you probably would have any problems in the future if you wanted to use any tools with it.

plus with the 3hp you can use gravity fed spray guns, which i have been told, give a better finish and are more efficiant.

If you arnt planning to use any 'big' air tools im sure the 2.5hp one would be plenty, but that extra £50 could save you £200 in the future if you do end up useing them regularly.

Chris