NZGuitars.com

hi..
just been looking at the specs of air compressors at bunnings/supacheap etc.
must admit the numbers, spec etc. are a bit daunting
can anyone recommend a good basic compressor and gun type for guitary things?

I’m also about to buy something so I’ll watch to see what the experts have to say.
60l, 2.5hp with 120l per m etc etc! The specs don’t make much sense to me as to how they effect guitar painting specifically.

CFM is the key factor, to paint properly you need a really high CFM, or be prepared to stop and start a lot, altho with a guitar body it won't matter much as it's fairly small... YMMV etc

I'm using something like this
https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-pa ... 69d2fb-002

And compressor I use this
https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/blac ... CN01050101

I have a simple filter system for moisture. The above compressor wouldn't be enough for lots of spraying, but with careful flow adjustment and the right thinning I can get excellent finishes.

The gun is OK, but I see I have a fancy new one I've yet to unpack, so I'll use that for all bigger jobs. Mixing the paint is another art. Do lots of practicing on scraps of wood first!

GrantB wrote:I'm using something like this
https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-pa ... 69d2fb-002

And compressor I use this
https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/blac ... CN01050101

I have a simple filter system for moisture. The above compressor wouldn't be enough for lots of spraying, but with careful flow adjustment and the right thinning I can get excellent finishes.

The gun is OK, but I see I have a fancy new one I've yet to unpack, so I'll use that for all bigger jobs. Mixing the paint is another art. Do lots of practicing on scraps of wood first!

GrantB wrote:I'm using something like this
https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-pa ... 69d2fb-002

And compressor I use this
https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/blac ... CN01050101

I have a simple filter system for moisture. The above compressor wouldn't be enough for lots of spraying, but with careful flow adjustment and the right thinning I can get excellent finishes

The gun is OK, but I see I have a fancy new one I've yet to unpack, so I'll use that for all bigger jobs. Mixing the paint is another art. Do lots of practicing on scraps of wood first!

Yep this. I have the same one. PSI is not an issue with guitar bodies...you want low pressure for spraying. It all comes down to technique over "power"

willow13 wrote:
Yep this. I have the same one. PSI is not an issue with guitar bodies...you want low pressure for spraying. It all comes down to technique over "power"

that's what i've gleaned over my 10 mins of googling this afternoon

high pressure spraying "atomises" more so you get a lighter spray with more wasted to the atmosphere

listen to me!... an expert already!!

philly wrote:

willow13 wrote:
Yep this. I have the same one. PSI is not an issue with guitar bodies...you want low pressure for spraying. It all comes down to technique over "power"

that's what i've gleaned over my 10 mins of googling this afternoon

high pressure spraying "atomises" more so you get a lighter spray with more wasted to the atmosphere

listen to me!... an expert already!!

yep .. as Grant said the mixing is the key. Especially when doing clearcoat...it is so easy to turn your clear into "dust" if you get the mix wrong

unless you're going to be doing mega spraying, just go with what you can afford. I have a compressor that cost me 80 bucks in a mitre10 sale about 12 years ago. I've done half a car with it.
Go with a decent gun though, the gravity fed style.

For anyone without a pro set up, it comes down to getting the least amount of orange peel as possible - put a good few layers on and you can rub it out.

Bg wrote: I have a compressor that cost me 80 bucks in a mitre10 sale about 12 years ago. I've done half a car with it.

So if you'd bought the $160 one it would have done the whole car?

Look for one that runs reasonably quietly. My last one - cheap Bunnings thing - was so loud I couldn't use it late in the evening as it'd wake the kids! Also, the tank drain valve was hard to reach / operate. Surprising how much rusty water would accumulate in the tank.

Molly wrote:Look for one that runs reasonably quietly. My last one - cheap Bunnings thing - was so loud I couldn't use it late in the evening as it'd wake the kids! Also, the tank drain valve was hard to reach / operate. Surprising how much rusty water would accumulate in the tank.

Water equals outer humidity. Best not to spray on humid days anyway.

Slowy wrote:

Bg wrote: I have a compressor that cost me 80 bucks in a mitre10 sale about 12 years ago. I've done half a car with it.

So if you'd bought the $160 one it would have done the whole car?

Nah, I'd need to buy the 'rear car compressor'

Bg wrote:

Molly wrote:Look for one that runs reasonably quietly. My last one - cheap Bunnings thing - was so loud I couldn't use it late in the evening as it'd wake the kids! Also, the tank drain valve was hard to reach / operate. Surprising how much rusty water would accumulate in the tank.

Water equals outer humidity. Best not to spray on humid days anyway.

With the best will in the world you're going to get condensation in the tank. It'd just help if you could vent it easily after use.

Bg wrote:

Slowy wrote:

Bg wrote: I have a compressor that cost me 80 bucks in a mitre10 sale about 12 years ago. I've done half a car with it.

So if you'd bought the $160 one it would have done the whole car?

Nah, I'd need to buy the 'rear car compressor'

you coulda done the front of two cars tho... obviously...

Could do many, just not the back obviously