Just got a air compressor and id like to start learning how to paint. I plan on starting with just small parts of the car like the front GFX, engine bay ext.. someone told me a good paint gun will cost $500 or more, there has to be a decent gun that will do good work for small areas out there. Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks,

I hope you have a big supply on your air compressor. I picked up a sharpe finex 3000 hvlp gravity feed gun for just under $75 a few years back. Has worked great. When I first bought it I figured it might be good for a one time use, but it has actually surprised me, I have painted 3 cars, and a kenworth tractor trailer rig with it. Also check into devilbiss as I think they are fairly reasonably priced.

I hope so to, all i got was a 12 gallon craftsman. I know it's probably not enough to paint an entire car however it should support painting a bumper and engine bay right?

I cant remember if they say you need at least 50 or if its 60 gallons, but thats for a whole car.

I have a Devilbiss finishline 3 and like it. It's real easy to use and all the adjustments work like they should. You can buy it with your choice of fluid tips.

Your compressor tank is too small. Even if you are not painting a large piece, that thing will run non-stop and put a alot of water into the system.

Well check out this place for spray guns....
http://www.tcpglobal.com/spraygundepot/
Devilbiss makes nice guns but I prefer them for clearcoat and a Sata for base. However since the gun isnt going to see daily use and you are in the learning stage it wouldnt hurt to buy that little 3 gun kit for $80.
If you can check out a how to paint dvd or book.Knowledge is power!!
Also you can buy some of these to keep the oil and water out of your gun...
http://www.tcpglobal.com/spraygundep...no=DEV+HAF-507
Good luck to you!!!

i have sata spray gun !

Thanks for the post, this is very helpful. Ill take your advice and really read up on the "how to" books. Thanks again,

No problem, glad to help.BTW...your car is perfect!!!Love it!

Thanks! Im trying my best to keep it in nice condition. A major obstacle is all the construction going on, on the highway here in charleston. Minor rock chips are accumulating, thats the reason id like to learn how to paint so once the construction is all done i can restore the front bumpers paint job.


Thanks again for your help, take care.

Not trying to steal the thread or anything but I was just wonder what's the smallest compressor you can get away with using? 12 gal seems pretty small from what I've read. I want to start painting myself but there's no way I can drop that much for a big compressor.

Someone in an above post said 50 or 60 gal. Buying one new would be very expensive, a used one would be a better buy. I didn't know if a 12 gal would be good enough to paint with, ill still try it on small parts like side mirrors and front GFX. If it is truly too small even for those jobs ill save for a bigger one.

Well I've read before 5hp and 20 gal was the minimum, just don't know if that's a fact. I really want to start painting but I don't think I could afford a bigger compressor any time soon. I just want to be able to put down a half *** decent paint job for now until I can afford to buy a good compressor later on down the road.