Newbie spray finishing question

[Tom Mitchell]

I'm going to take the plunge and gear up to do spray finishing.  I already have a 1.5HP compressor with a 2 gallon tank that is rated at 125 PSI max pressure, 2.30 SCFM @ 90 PSI.  Is a compressor this small sufficient to get me started doing light duty work and some touch-up while I'm learning?

 

If so, what additional gear am i going to need to get started?  Right now, all I have is the compressor and a 25' air hose.

[Greg Mirken]

Yes, it's fine. You need a moisture trap for your air line and a gun. Get the best gun you can possibly afford. 40 years ago I bought a DeVilbiss EGA touchup gun. It was the most expensive tool I owned. It has always performed flawlessly and I would never part with it.

[Russell Vance]

Amen to that,  cheap guns quickly cause more trouble in time and effort than any amount of savings at the initial buy.   Bad lacquer application which requires redoing is always a great disappointment and saps ones confidence faster than anything I can name -  same goes for filters and such - you can buy them for a buck 50 or for 50 bucks - just one blown lacquer coat due to contamination costs 50 bucks in time and lacquer to redo - the maths are simple.   My guns, lines and filters cost me a bomb but they are worth every penny. 

Remember to research what nozzle sizes you are going to need for whatever lacquer system you are going to use.   The big guys in the business sell additional nozzles and needles in different sizes which means one gun can fulfill a number of roles (undercoat/sealer, finish coats)  with a simple nozzle change. It also allows you to repair your gun as the nozzles wear out over time.  Rusty.

[Tom Mitchell]

Your helpful response now gives me a "part two" to my original post.

 

How do I determine my needs, and who would you recommend as suppliers?

[Ned Knepp]

The moisture trap Greg mentioned is going to be real important. With a 2 gallon reserve tank you are basically going to be running your compressor all the time and it will get hot fast. I wouldn't recommend it for spraying anything very big.

[Tom Mitchell]

Your advice is duly noted!

Ironically, my first building project is going to be a jumbo.

If anything, a 2 gallon tank will teach me patience.

[Mark Dobbins]

a good respirator with the right chemical filters,is a must for nitro,you do not want to be breathing the stuff!

[Tom Mitchell]

I agree!  A quality respirator is on my top 10 list.  If I want a buzz, I'll have a beer.  Or two.

 

Building a fold-up spray booth for the garage is also part of my project.  I plan to dumpster dive and use discarded refrigerator cartons (or furniture boxes).  To vent the fumes out, I'm thinking about using a box fan in a cutout on the booth, covered with a good HVAC air filter.

[William F.Eden]

3M has what looks to be a real good sprayer out now. you just screw the plastic head cartage off when you are done and throwe it away and wipe the needal off it has the container on the top for your finish.I saw one yesterday.Bill........

[Paul Verticchio]

Fans should be explosion proof.  BIG safety factor here. 

Just some food for thought that may or not be applicable:

Check into your local environmental regulations. If doing it in your garage, your neighbors will complain about the fumes/odor and eventually you'll be visited by some "local authority".  Having your work area compliant with the local reg's will prevent some pretty hefty possible fines.

There's a reason so many nitro sprayers & automotive body shops have gone under: regulations.

Best of luck (:

[Tom Mitchell]

If a box fan makes an arc when I hit the switch, it's NOT going to be used.

 

I only plan to do light duty work, and an occasional touch-up from time to time.  Not enough for anyone to notice.  And a while back I moved from Southern California to Louisville, Kentucky.  Which means few oppressive regulations (and no enforcing bureaucracy), and houses far enough away from each other that no one will notice any smell.

 

I hope.