Recommend a Garage/non-portable Air Compressor
- Thread starter IL_Fletch
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Bumbo
New member
I don't know anything about fluid film application...
What are the CFM requirements for your spray gun?
That will help you calculate how much tank volume you need.
Its important to duty cycle and workflow... You want big enough to be able to complete a portion of the project without massive interruptions or a break in spray.
What are the CFM requirements for your spray gun?
That will help you calculate how much tank volume you need.
Its important to duty cycle and workflow... You want big enough to be able to complete a portion of the project without massive interruptions or a break in spray.
All I can find is "operates at 70-90psi" for the gun I bought. It's the "Pro" gun here: Fluid Film Spray Applicator Guns
I can't find the actual CFM specs anywhere. I saw on another thread a guy guessed it would be around 6-8 CFM. How important is it to get to this number?
Would this work ok?
https://www.harborfreight.com/10-gal-25-hp-125-psi-oil-lube-air-compressor-62441.html
I'm only spraying the underbody of 2 cars (about 1 gallon), and I don't mind if it takes a little longer. I really want to spend as close to $100 as possible, since I don't need a compressor very often.
What do you think?
Edit: the Kellsport Fluid Film "Pro" Undercoating Gun requires 5-8 CFM.
Last edited:
Bumbo
New member
Im not a hard core air expert... but just from owning my own setup for many years i'll tell you right now that more air is better than less air... 10 gallons of air is nothing depending on the tool.
If you can't maintain 6-8 CFM the spray gun might not operate correctly... as the pressure drops, so will the flow. You might get problems with the fluid not atomizing correctly, spattering, poor coverage or application... The biggest problem being consistency from constantly changing pressures & volume.
I would probably shop for at least a 20-30 gallon tank minimum.
That's the size I run and there are plenty of tools that I own that feel it could benefit from a bigger tank. Spray guns, grinders, and sanders top that list. Painting generally has very demanding air requirements.
The last place you want to cut corners on a setup that requires air, is the air...
Remember, you still need to budget for lines, fittings, pressure regulator, and dryer/drip-t for water collection/moisture management which is probably even more important when painting than running air tools ... The compressor and tank is only 1 part of the system.
Last edited:
Awesome. So this should work?: https://www.harborfreight.com/21-gal-25-HP-125-PSI-Cast-Iron-Vertical-Air-Compressor-61454.html
Along with this: https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/air-accessory-kits/20-pc-air-compressor-starter-kit-62688.html
And this (is this all I need for dryer/drip-t/pressure regulator?): https://www.harborfreight.com/38-In-Air-Filter-with-Regulator-68232.html
Thanks so much for your help on this!
Bumbo
New member
Ya it should all get you off the ground...
The only other thing I am going to mention is that just like most anything, quality can vary a lot even on items that look the same.
Most of my harbor freight accessories never made it that far. My pressure regulator died and/or started acting up, and the fittings tend to get leaky over time. Trust me it ends up being a much larger problem than you might think. You do get what you pay for...
I have that same compressor and it's actually held up really well. I've had it for at least 5-7 years... I just wish it was bigger. It was still a good buy IMO.
I think this Milton brand is supposed to be decent. I bought some of these to replace my HF fittings. Personally I would buy good fitting out of the gate because you will end up doing it again.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...fl_title_437?ie=UTF8&smid=A2P5I4NW0QQAX1&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Milton-S-210...rd_wg=ar5gn&psc=1&refRID=N1SQP9RPAMSEFPZ53N2C
Also, the size and length of the hose you use up to the tool matters. You want to keep pressure drop a low of possible.
I recommended going with a larger 3/8" hose... something like this. I bought something that is on a retractable reel which makes use/setup so much faster and easier for things like tire fill.
https://www.amazon.com/Good-12674-R...504804486&sr=8-6&keywords=air+compressor+hose
Last edited:
Well this is perfect. I just happened to find a used one locally and bought it! It is Air America, 5hp/20 gallon, 8.7 CFM @ 40PSI, 7.1 @ 90PSI. Most importantly, it came with chisel, orbital sander and wrench w/ heavy duty sockets. All for $100!!
So actually all of your most recent advice still applies. I'll still need to buy all the accessories (maybe just hose and regulator/drier). I'll definitely be going with the hose you recommended and I'll take a look at those fittings if I need any. If you hadn't helped I may have ended up with a real piece of junk.
Thanks!
Bumbo
New member
Nice pickup... I like a good used tool deal.
Just looking at the picture, it appears you might have a regulator built into the unit.
That will probably save you a few bucks too if its in good working order.
One thing to note is that if you have really long line runs, it's better to put the regular closer to the tool than the air compressor.
You don't have to, but it's about pressure drop management. Sometimes it matters, sometimes it doesn't.
Just looking at the picture, it appears you might have a regulator built into the unit.
That will probably save you a few bucks too if its in good working order.
One thing to note is that if you have really long line runs, it's better to put the regular closer to the tool than the air compressor.
You don't have to, but it's about pressure drop management. Sometimes it matters, sometimes it doesn't.
