Looking at painting options for my 1st gen 79. Does anyone have any experience with the new low volume low pressure (LVLP) spray guns? I have a small compressor and I think this would work well. The HVLP guns all need around 12 CFM at 40 psi, and the only compressors that put that out are 60 gallon and bigger (and expensive) and run off 240V (which I don't have in my garage).

Any thoughts on LVLP? Easy to use? Can a beginner get it right? I'm considering something like this:

SPRAYIT LVLP Gravity Feed Spray Gun-SPRAYIT SP-33000 - The Home Depot

Thanks for the help!

 

If im not mistaken, low volume guns put out low volumes of paint so you will be taking longer to coat your body panels. This leaves the surface more prone to contamination from the stuff flying around in the air. Ideally when painting a car, you want max flow and automization from your gun. If your gonna get serious about painting your car, you need to get serious about cfm from your compressor. 220v isnt hard. All you need to do is make an extension cord from your dryer outlet. I personally converted a 110v 8cfm 28 gallon compressor to 220v by purchasing an upgraded compressor and motor and installing them on the old tank. Also if you want more capacity, simply find another compressor tank and T them together to increase your gallon size. What im getting at is you dont have to spend big bucks on a big fancy compressor if you know how to MacGyver your way around it.

 

Excellent, thanks for the info. I didn't know about the low volume of paint, but what you say makes perfect sense. I've also been keeping my eyes open on C/L for people selling their compressors. Hopefully I'll spot a good deal, and now that I see what you've done I can look into that option as well. Thanks for the response and help!

 

have you thought about a turbine unit?

 

I have not; I had no idea they existed. Since reading your post though, I've done a bit of research and will definitely consider this as an option.

Thanks for your help!!

 

Well damn! I knew nothing of those. How do these things handle moisture? Also some of these units produce more than enough cfm but only produce 5-15 psi. Most automotive paints need 30+ psi to automize the paint properly.


Edit: Never mind because I just found a unit from Eastwood that Kevin Tetz is endorsing. I bought his Paintucation videos several years back.

 

The units work different than compressor guns.
On the turbines, they don't compress air so they don't produce any moisture. No need for a water filter. My turbine just has 2 air filters.

I don't believe paint needing 30 psi to atomizer is an issue. The gun I use sees 6 psi of pressure max but there is so much more volume of air from the hose. The hose is literally a 3/4" garden hose. My gun atomizes better than my binks compressor gun with a much smaller air cap. Of course I am more familiar with my turbine gun.