I was talking to an “old timer” at the local auto paint store today. Business was slow, so he spent a good while talking shop with me. I told him I am a little torn about having my car painted at a paint shop, or, painting the car myself.
I told this store manager guy I didn’t have a big & bad enough air compressor to work with a HVLP gun. My air compressor is only a 2 hp with a 20 gallon tank. He told me he had painted cars since the 60’s.

Mr. Store Manager Guy told me to just get 2 more used 20 gallon tanks. Hook them up to my current 2 hp & wait until they all fill with air before shooting. He said running out of air before I finish shooting is my biggest concern, not hp or pressure. This set-up was really surprising to me to consider. I haven’t ever heard of working a small compressor like this before with “multi” tanks.

Does anyone out there have any input/experience/opinions concerning using a set-up like this with a DeVilbiss HVLP gun. Thanks

Once you suck the tanks dry the recovery time is too slow. Otherwise compressor companies would all be putting thimble sized pumps on 80 gallon tanks.

He is a little confused about strapping three tanks together to be a cure. Bottom line you will still have a small motor/small compressor to keep up with the demand, which you won't. Stopping to wait for the compressor to catch up would lead to disaster with paint.

You will need a continuos CFM to maintain normarl constant spray pressure. A larger two stage 80 gal tank with 6HP motor will be the ticked.

You will need a continuos CFM to maintain normarl constant spray pressure. A larger two stage 80 gal tank with 6HP motor will be the ticked.

I've been reading up on this subject quite a bit on the net. It looks like I'm going to go with a LVHP gun instead of a HVLP. I bought a cheap one the other day just to check it out & practice on small pieces (like the rear spoiler is off my car).

If I paint the hole car, I may well buy something like the Sharpe LVLP Razor Gun:

http://www.tcpglobal.com/spraygundepot/shrazor.aspx