Air Compressor For Spray Painting (Review With Video)

Most everything I built in my garage gets sprayed. You can purchase a small compressor for around $100. A rotary screw which starts at about $4,000. For my small garage workshop, I needed to purchase the best compressor for the least amount of money. The HVLP spray gun manufacturer recommends a three to five horsepower compressor.

If you're in the market for a new compressor, the real measurement you should be looking at is the CFM, that's Cubic Feet Per Minute of air delivery. Many of the air tools you may want to use can require up to 20 CFM at maybe 60 PSI.

Air Compressor For Spray Painting
Campbell Hausfeld Air Compressor
So, we really should shop for CFM per dollar not horsepower or pressure. Also, when I purchase Campbell Hausfeld Air Compressor, 26-gallon Vertical Oil-free (DC260000), I didn't have the advantage of being able to look at the internet ratings. This compressor has a rating of 4 CFM @ 90 PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch) and once I start spraying it runs continuously.

It seems strange that they sell you compressors accompanied by a tool package that requires much more CFM than the compressor can produce without standing around and waiting for it to catch up. All sanders hog a tremendous amount of CFM.
You should also have an oil and water separator. Moisture is damaging to air tools and both moisture and oil can cause fish eyes in your sprayed surface. My compressor doesn't use oil so separating oil out isn't an issue. The separator I use is not the best separator. It was purchased at cheap price and does not do a good job. When I will buy a new compressor, I will be adding an additional moisture separator.

Air Compressor For Spray Painting
Moisture Separator
If your compressor doesn't come with a regulator built-in, you will need to add one to adjust the pressure supplied to your tools. One of my spray guns has a regulator attached at the gun. If you're interested in a great gun at a good price, Central Pneumatic 47016 comes with two fluid nozzles for both thin and thick materials and also has a regulator included.

It's available through Amazon.com. Also note that I have the ability to plug my air hose directly into the compressor by passing both the separator and the regulator. This direct line works best with high pressure air tools such as an impact wrench.

The last thing I'll mention about this simple setup is that you should never allow an air hose to lay on the ground for any length of time. as your compressor runs it gets hot, heats the air and moisture which in turn will convince any moisture in a cool air hose. I use this reel it didn't cost much and has served well. Also, each time I'm finished with a job, I turn off the compressor and disconnect the air line.


I have had fittings on an air hose blow-off and if this happens while you're not around, the compressor will obviously run continuously. also disconnecting the hose will preserve the pressure you already have stored in the tank. Yes, I would like to have a 220-volt compressor with a mega CFM output. However, for my small shop this one has served me well for over ten years with a minimal amount of maintenance.

If you want buy a compressor for wood working or spray painting, read some other compressor reviews online. Another compressor California Air Tools CAT-10020 is also way too popular for spray painting.

Get Small Air Compressor From Air Compressor Agency

Read Also:  Laser Distance Measure ,Oil-flled or Oilless Compressors ?

Popular posts from this blog

How Does An Air Compressor Work? [Displayed In Animated Video]

California Air Tools CAT-10020 Review