6 replies to this topic

[joe90gt]

What does anyone think, I have a 2hp / 25 l compressor and a clarke suction fed gun but am having some probs maintaining constant pressure, would a gravity fed gun be better - its OK for primer but i need to get the top coat right,
thanks

[stevede]

What does anyone think, I have a 2hp / 25 l compressor and a clarke suction fed gun but am having some probs maintaining constant pressure, would a gravity fed gun be better - its OK for primer but i need to get the top coat right,
thanks

I'm no expert on painting. There are plenty on here who are, and I'm sure some will reply.

The factor to consider is the air requirement of the gun you have. Switching to a gravity fed gun with the same air requirement will not show any difference.

Do you know what the capacity of your compresor is? Usually in CFM (Cubic feet per minute) on the manufacturers plate. You need to ensure that this matches or preferably exceeds the gun requirement. A bigger air tank would help but will still run out if the above criteria is not met.

The suction gun I used consumes around 9 CFM, a similar gravity fed gun around 8CFM. My compressor delivers up to 14CFM. (My old one was barely 2 with a tiny tank and would only run the gun for about 10 seconds so I know where you are on this)!

Have you got a pall who could lend you a bigger compressor for the top coat?

Hope this helps

Good luck

Steve

Edit: spelling

Edited by stevede, 14 August 2010 - 07:07 AM.

[kez_19]

a gravity fed gun is good for doing solid colours but a suction one is better for doing metallic as the metal flakes sink to the bottom of the paint and get picked up by the suction, you can use the gravity one as well for metallic but you will have to keep shaking the cup to move the flakes around

michael

[JoneseyBoy]

i have the same problem mate at home, im also in the wonderful trade of bodywork lool and youll never get constant preassure with a small 25l compressor a normal spraygun need atleast 3hp to run proply but not at its best the only gun that will work is a little touch up gun and i mean thwy are little they hold 100ml of paint at a time and its fan isnt big enought to paint a big area thats why there are oretty much used for touch ups

Edited by JoneseyBoy, 15 August 2010 - 02:32 PM.

[panelbeaterpeter]

With a gravity fed you need a compressor with at least 3hp for it to run properly. With a suction gun you can get away with 2/2.5hp, but don't expect constant pressure.

[joe90gt]

OK , thanks - I'll soldier on with my suction fed then

[Frog]

What does anyone think, I have a 2hp / 25 l compressor and a clarke suction fed gun but am having some probs maintaining constant pressure, would a gravity fed gun be better - its OK for primer but i need to get the top coat right,
thanks

The trouble you will be getting a small compressor is that you want have a massive storage of air, it's not so much what gun you got but if you compressor is producing enough compressed air. I.e if your compressor runs at 8 c.f.m. but the spray gun uses 10 c.f.m. then it will struggle. I used to spray with a small compressor years ago & found that I had to do a panel & wait & so on.