What Air Compressor Filter Do I Need

How to fix an air compressor for spray guns and painting

Is there such a thing equally the perfect paintjob? That'due south the big question for DIYers and professionals akin any time it comes to adding a lick of paint to the walls of the house, the garden fence or when spray painting a motorcar. If you're yet to ditch the brush or roller and paint tin, the showtime, and rather big, step on that journey is to invest in an air spray gun.

If y'all're not already familiar, spray painting guarantees a much more controlled and even stop on your work than whatever manus-applied brush/roller job, but just investing in whatsoever old spray paint kit and bold it will immediately produce optimal results won't get you too far. To avoid improper awarding and the dreaded "orangish skin" outcome, you need the right kit, and that means getting a spray paint compressor that meets the specifications your spray gun setup requires.

Our guide will walk yous through everything you need to know regarding pigment compressors and the technical commitment elements required. And then, one time y'all know what y'all're doing, nosotros'll tell you nearly a few of the best spray gun and compressor kits available on the SGS website, so yous can make a masterpiece of any pigment job you take on going forwards.

What is a gun compressor?

When we talk about an air compressor for painting, we're not actually talking about a specific type of compressor exclusive to spray painting function, but rather a suitable air compressor for spray gun use. Air compressors employ a power source to create pressurised air in a storage tank, which tin then be used for a variety of applications, including spray painting. Unlike air compressors have different pressure limits, which is where choosing the right one comes into play.

Almost air paint spray guns utilise a "high volume, depression pressure level" (HVLP) delivery machinery, thus it's of import to find a spray paint compressor that delivers the required pressure and book of air in order to create a consistent pigment flow that will give you lot a perfect finish.

What is HVLP?

HVLP spray guns atomise paint coatings by employing a high volume of air at low air-cap pressure, typically in a force per unit area range that's around quarter or less than that of conventional methods. This means the sprayed cloth has less velocity so is less likely to "bounce back", which increases your paint'southward transfer efficiency. The HVLP method too delivers a much softer spray which reduces material waste material. They practise, nonetheless, need a college air book than conventional sprayers, significant a bigger compressor is required, but more than on that below.

What are the air compressor requirements for spray painting?

There are three fundamental measurements to consider when compressed air spray painting. The beginning is pounds per square inch (PSI), the 2d is cubic anxiety per minute (CFM) and 3rd is tank size. Equally you tin can approximate from the "low pressure" office of HVLP delivery, y'all won't need a lot of pressure to become the job done, merely y'all even so need to ensure yous have a loftier enough PSI to ensure consistent delivery.

The CFM measurement is arguably the most important factor to consider when choosing your compressor. CFM measures the volume of air produced by the compressor per minute and the quantity of air the compressor can produce at a given PSI. The CFM rating of your compressor should be college than, not equal to, the CFM requirements of your air spray gun, otherwise you risk both pressure drop and book loss, which are the two principal causes of imperfect coverage. As alluded to higher up, the "high volume" element of HVLP spray guns is a large inkling that a larger compressor will exist required for proper use.

Finally, tank size matters in relation to spray painting because spray gun operation requires a constant menses of air rather than intermittent supply as with many other pneumatic tools. Thus, your compressor needs to have an adequate storage to keep upwards with the gun.

How much CFM do I need for spray painting?

Pigment gun CFM requirements differ from model to model, with small spray guns naturally requiring a lower CFM than bigger options. While some air spray guns have a rating of lower than 10 CFM, we'd recommend your compressor CFM for spray painting is at least 12 CFM.

For professionals, this figure may need to exist higher – the important affair is you've checked your spray gun's CFM requirements and chosen a compressor that exceeds that figure.

What is the best air pressure for spray painting?

Once again, it's essential you check your specific model'south recommendations, but your HVLP spray gun PSI will likely sit between 25-xxx PSI for something similar using an air compressor for spraying cars, rising to 40 PSI in some cases where higher atomisation is needed.

How to spray pigment with an air compressor

Wondering how to use a spray gun with your new compressor? Here's what you'll need to get started:

Safety gear: a respirator or mask, goggles and gloves
A suitable air compressor for your spray gun
Hose
Spray gun attachments: filter, regulator, quick disconnect fittings – although you might not need all of these depending on your requirements.

Here'south the process:

Employ your safety gear before starting any piece of work
Connect your air spray gun to your air compressor via the hose and other attachments (see diagram above)
Ensure your compressor is delivering adequate CFM
Mix your pigment/primer and solvent to the recommended ratios.
Test your force per unit area paint sprayer pattern on a piece of cardboard to check your compressed air spray is delivering a consequent paint menstruum. You tin adjust your spray pattern on virtually HVLP spray guns via a knob on the side of the gun.
Use an even coat of paint to your chosen surface, applying a second glaze if required 12-24 hours later (once the first coat is dry).

Your air spray gun and paint compressor checklist

Every bit nosotros've already established, ensuring you've got the adequate CFM and volume in your compressor tank to practice the job consistently is essential. Withal, despite all your all-time efforts and preparations, you might find that y'all're yet facing problems with air pressure level.

If yous are struggling to get the results you're looking for, there's a checklist of things to go over to ensure you're getting optimal functioning from your spray gun and air line setup.

How narrow is the air hose?

The hose y'all're using tin can exist the source of pressure issues if likewise narrow or too long. The inside diameter (ID) of your hose is the measurement to look out for, with a smaller ID translating to less air getting through the line, and therefore less pressure level. For example, if you're using a five/16 inch (7.9mm) hose, you'll get less pressure than a wider diameter 3/8 inch (9.5mm) pick.

With HVLP spray guns, an ID of more than a ¼ inch is advisable, with a hose larger than 5/16 inch needed to run across typical HVLP book requirements. A word of warning, though – bigger is non always better. Bigger can often hateful a longer hose, which likewise needs to be taken into consideration.

Is the Air Hose too long?

As the compressed air travels through a hose, the pressure decreases as distance increases from the compressor, significant a lengthy hose can be detrimental to a high-pressure paint gun. As a dominion of thumb, it'southward best to employ as curt a hose equally feasibly possible with a decent width ID.

10m Rubber Hose

8mm diameter, 10m long rubber air hose comes with quick release connectors.

10m Recoil Air Hose

10m polyurethane recoil type hose
fitted with a two female person 1/four" BSP threads.

20m Air Line Reel

20 metres of durable braided PVC hose
and snap fit air inlet/outlet connections.

10m PVC Hose

10mm diameter, 10m long PVC air hose comes with quick release connectors

15m Rubber Hose

6mm diameter, 15m long condom air hose comes with quick release connectors.

Quick disconnect fittings (QDs) – do you lot need them?

Quick disconnect fittings (QDs) are paw-fitted air connectors that allow for fast and like shooting fish in a barrel connection and disconnection of the air line. They replace traditional fitting connectors which often require the apply of tools for assembly and disassembly, making them decidedly quicker to apply and benefit the user experience considerably. However, depending on how many are used and their design quality, QDs can be a hinderance when it comes to maintaining air pressure.

Depending on the blueprint and volume requirements of your pressure spray gun, the pressure drop from a QD can prevarication between i-25 PSI. So, it's important you pick your QD design carefully, choosing the to the lowest degree restrictive unit possible. Using many air connectors can also crusade pressure to drop.

Ane mutual pressure event relating to QD use is a small aperture in the female portion of the component, with the narrow diameter restricting air flow, merely every bit with a small ID hose. If you are going to use QDs, ensure you are using "loftier-flow" options that offer the biggest practical diameter to minimise any pressure loss.

The key question is: are QDs actually necessary? If you're only planning to remove your air hose from your spray gun and compressor once or twice a day, the elementary answer is no.

Is the air regulator high flow and of good quality?

Air spray gun regulators provide precise adjustment of the air menses and air pressure which ensures consequent results. However, their design can also restrict air menstruum and create excessive pressure drop. There are two types of paint gun filter regulator - wall-mounted and gun-mounted.

Typically, larger wall-mounted regulators better provide constant air pressure to the gun, minimising the dreaded pressure drib. Your spray gun pressure regulator should be capable of flowing enough air for the spray gun to operate efficiently and offer capacity greater than your air spray gun's demand.

To determine if the regulator is too restrictive, compare in-use and not-in-use readings on your spray gun regulator with the gauge. The difference between the 2 readings should exist 5 PSI or less.

Although regulators control the air pressure, the system may still experience fluctuations, especially when an air-adjustment valve-type restrictor is being used. The air volition go out the air cap with an initial burst of pressure, which then levels off to the adjusted pressure, merely this may vary because of changes in system pressure.

What is the Functioning Specification of the Air Compressor?

The central requirements of your compressor are that it needs to supply sufficient, clean (oil-free) and dry (water-costless) air, while likewise being the right size to facilitate the air pressure and volume requirements of the whole system. This is of import because, as previously mentioned, the restrictions of certain QDs, a narrow hose ID and the regulator can all play a gene in alleviating pressure, which is why information technology's necessary to have a spray paint compressor that produces a higher CFM than your HVLP spray gun.

To keep the air make clean, the air tank must be drained of whatsoever h2o and the spray gun filters checked to determine they are spotless and functional. It's also recommended to have a final air filter installed at the gun itself. To read more about the diverse specifications of air filter setups, bank check out our air compressor ownership guide hither.

Spray Gun Kits

6 Litre Air Compressor & Spray Gun Kit

If you're new to the globe of pigment spraying, we'd recommend starting with our set up-made 6 litre oil-less air compressor & spray gun kit. The kit comes complete with a professional air spray gun, a spray gun regulator, a 10m hose and a spray gun cleaning kit, as well as euro quick-release couplers. An ideal starter option for anyone looking for a lightweight piece of equipment for occasional small, at-habitation DIY projects.

24 litre Air Compressor and Spray Gun Kit

Secondly, our punchy 24 litre, 9.6 CFM compressor is fully equipped with a HVLP, gravity-fed professional spray gun, 10m safety air hose, spray gun regulator with gauge, mini air filter and water trap and 2 quick couplers. Some other good choice for anyone recently starting out with spray painting, the kit offers a superb combination of operation, prophylactic and value.

50 Litre Air Compressor & Spray Gun Kit

Our 50-litre, high-period, reciprocating air compressor has the capacity and delivery to ensure you always get fantastic results. The compressor boasts a large 50L tank that makes this kit a summit contender for serious enthusiasts and semi-professional person sprayers. Offering enough of bang for your buck, the kit is fully equipped with a HVLP, gravity-fed professional spray gun, a 10m 6mm condom hose with quick couplers, a mini air filter setup and ane litre of compressor oil. For help getting going, our compressor spray gun guide has all the info yous need to get upwardly and running.

100 Litre Air Compressor & Spray Gun Kit

Finally, our 100L, loftier-flow air compressor and spray gun kit will provide you lot with everything y'all demand to quickly and efficiently complete whatever spray painting work you desire to carry out. The 100L air compressor kit comes complete with a HVLP gravity fed spray gun, two 6m safe hoses with quick couplers, a spray gun filter, water trap, regulator & lubricator, euro quick couplers, mini air filter and 1 litre of Air-conditioning 2068 compressor oil. All of that makes this kit the all-time option for regular and semi-professional sprayers alike.

Cleaning

Don't forget; regardless of what size or style of spray gun and air compressor you own, keeping it make clean is vital for avoiding blockages and keeping information technology performing at an optimal level. With that in mind, we'd advise one of our high-quality cleaning kits for spray guns which will give y'all everything necessary to maintain your spray gun and compressor between uses with minimal fuss. The kit contains eight cardinal pieces which are designed to ensure longevity and the best possible results.

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