Paint spray guns

[robgul]

Not a review but a request for info . . . .

I have an ancient Clarke Jumbo compressor that came with a paint spray gun (which I've never used) - the compressor is a "continuous pump" type - i.e. does not have a tank to store compressed air. I've only ever used the Jumbo with a tyre inflator and the blower gun to shift sawdust etc.

I'm thinking about buying an electric compressor with a tank . . . will the spray gun work with this type of compressor? Research draws a blank.

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

You are better with a tank of air, I have used air brush for some 15 years and a compressor with a tank is much better.
As you use the air from a non tank the psi drops and ends up with uneven coverage
Hope this helps

 

[robgul]

You are better with a tank of air, I have used air brush for some 15 years and a compressor with a tank is much better.
As you use the air from a non tank the psi drops and ends up with uneven coverage
Hope this helps

That's pretty much why I am contemplating buying a tank model as the air from my current machine comes in "fits and starts" when, for example, inflating tyres -

BUT what I need to know is whether the spray gun I have will work with tank compressor . . . .

 

[meccarroll]

Spray guns require/consume air usually in cfm, the amount of air (cfm) depends upon the spray gun some spray guns consume 3-4 CFM some may consume 9 CFM or more.

Compressors generate air CFM, the amount of air CFM generated depends upon the pistons size used in the compressor etc.

You need to match your compressor to the required CFM of your spray gun.

This is just a very basic explanation but generally compressors with no tank produce low CFM so if you do buy a compressor with an air tank it could be very possible that it will supply enough air for your current spray gun.

 

[johnnyb]

True story. I brought a compressor from aldi maybe 15 years ago. Think it was £99maybe more. With a full set of air tools. 6 years ago I broke the air filter! I use it for my air assisted airless I've sprayed lacquer with the free gun. Use it for nailing. Blowgun, Use it everyday. Still going strong...empty the rusty water out every few months fine.
It's a piston compressor and is OK for what I do tbh. Avoid those oil free ones as there not great though.

 

[johnnyb]

25l tank

 

[deema]

Spraying technology is real down the rabbit hole with Alice topic. First off, I’d suggest you determine what sort of stuff you want to spray and what sort of paint you will be using that will point you to the most appropriate technology. So for painting wood, walls and nothing that needs the finest finishes which is most stuff you are probably better off with an airless or air assisted spraying setup. For spraying machines, and higher finish requirements probably a HVLP system with its own dedicated / integrated compressor such as the Fuji Q3,4,5 etc. for the finest automotive finishes there are traditional spray guns / LPLV guns that need a huge range of air pressures and volumes depending on technology.

 

[robgul]

My spraying plans are pretty basic - wood, possibly walls and a lot of fence (with a garden paint, not stain) - digging out the unused spray gun and it just says "Max 3.5 BAR" on the can .... so I guess I'd be OK with that if I set the compressor to that?

I also want the compressor to pump up tyres, a blow gun for sawdust shifting, nail/staple gun (probably the cheapie Silverline as used, I think, by @petermillard ) - and a very basic, small media blasting gun (Temu's finest!)

 

[petermillard]

My spraying plans are pretty basic - wood, possibly walls and a lot of fence (with a garden paint, not stain) - digging out the unused spray gun and it just says "Max 3.5 BAR" on the can .... so I guess I'd be OK with that if I set the compressor to that?

I also want the compressor to pump up tyres, a blow gun for sawdust shifting, nail/staple gun (probably the cheapie Silverline as used, I think, by @petermillard ) - and a very basic, small media blasting gun (Temu's finest!)

Silverline nailers still going strong here.

 

[robgul]

Silverline nailers still going strong here.

What sort of/brand of compressor are you using?

 

[deema]

So for what you’ve specified as your spraying needs I’d get one of these. (I did for a project)

https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-eaps600-electric-paint-sprayer-600w/394kr

The tip it comes with is fine for spraying emulsion on walls, and then just buy a professional tip for any specific needs. All standard tips fit, so Wagner and others that arnt custom will all fit. The pressure regulation is crude but effective, and it will pump the most glupy stuff straight from the tin. The biggest difference between it and the best sprayers is the tips, and you can buy and fit them it comes with both a can and gun filter. It carries a 5 years warranty and is good for around 100 to 200 litres of spraying before it gives up in my limited experience, which works out around £1~£2/ litre……unless you just get your money back if you’ve got the receipt!

If you’ve never sprayed before the airless is by far the easiest to learn / get proficient at quickly.

 

[johnnyb]

I think most general painting is in water based so hard to say which will work. I've found air atomised to never truly work with most water based. I'd suggest talking to someone that knows a bit otherwise its a not that simple(but not rocket science)

 

[robgul]

. . . my requirement for spraying anything is probably only around 5 or 6% of the anticipated compressor use - most will be tyre inflation (I work on a lot of push bikes and pump up tyres), nailing/stapling and blowing sawdust - the media blasting is also peripheral.