Consensus on a Spray Rig? What compressors and guns to use...

OK. This forum has been wonderful and there is a ton of great info on here. However, I am still completely lost about what type of spray rig I should put together.

My biggest question is the compressor. There has been much debate and I am trying to understand the factual information and science behind it and then gather everyone's opinions from practical experience......um, I guess that's kind of what a forum is for....DUH!

I just purchased an Earlex 3-stage Turbine HVLP and so far I hate it. I have only tried Behlen's lacquer and I am having a hell of a time. Some other finishers say I should go with a compressor and gun. I agree with them now, because all I have is a large siphon-fed gun available with the Earlex. I would also like a jamb gun and a separate gun for flake/metallic finishes.

I have been told you NEED a 60 or 80 Gallon 2HP+ compressor to run spray guns. I have also been told that you don't need anything THAT big. I am lost. I want to do this professionally some day. Any input about putting together a great spray rig to handle all types of finishes would be most appreciated. THANKS!

I use a 20 gallon oilless compressor, and have for years. It's quite noisy, but I've never had a problem with it.
Get a decent gravity fed conversion HVLP gun and you should be good to go.
I think Colt recommends a Campbell Hausfeld from Walmart(hope I remembered correctly, Colt), similar to this: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31D0VVPSHSL.jpg
I have one of these I use for most applications, furniture mostly, but works pretty good on bodies, as well. http://www.gleempaint.com/hvcongunnew.html
Gleempaint has this one on sale for really cheap: http://www.gleempaint.com/hvlp1.html, in fact I think I'll order one for a spare.

One other thing that I don't completely understand is pressure and CFM. Many of the specs for HVLP guns say 7-9 CFM at 40 psi to operate. You need at big compressor to supply that (60+ Gallons)

From my understanding:

bigger the tank = better "buffering" for constant pressure

And then there is Horsepower that factors into this as well...

Are manufacturer's recommended tech specs a little misleading? Can you actually get 9 CFM at 40 PSI out of say a 20 gallon compressor?

HP will determine CFM at a given pressure. Tank size is related to how often the motor will have to cycle to keep up with the load, since it's just the reserve air (capacitor of sorts). Frequent motor starts are tough on the motor, but you usually aren't spraying for a real long time and continuously loading the system, thus causing frequent starts.

The load created by a HVLP gun that's for guitar-sized jobs is not very heavy at all. Inexpensive compressors can usually do the trick.

A thing to note when buying a compressor is that many of the budget manufacturers advertised peak HP as the rating. Ignore it. Look at SCFM @ XX psi and compare.

Thanks for the input guys...

Here is the compressor I have narrowed it down to:

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-horsepower-29-gallon-150-psi-psi-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-68127.html

Looks like I get close to the CFM to run my HVLP guns and it's gotten some decent reviews. $349. Not enough? Overkill?

This is a topic I'm trying to wrap my head around as well. Would the below gun work with the below tank? The gun requires 4.5 scfm @ 40 psi and the tank provides 5.5 scfm @ 40 psi.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Campbell-Hausfeld-Gravity-Feed-Spray-Gun-with-Grab-N-Go-Case/17128858

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/air-compressors/2-hp-8-gallon-125-psi-portable-air-compressor-67501.html

FYI, tools from harbor freight only have a 90 day warranty then after than your SOL! That is ALOT of money to drop on something that only has a 90 day warranty?

This is what I got:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100654939/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=ridgid+air+compressor&storeId=10051#more_info

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100668713/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=hvlp+gun&storeId=10051

FYI: Delivers 4.9 SCFM at 90 psi = 7+ scfm at 35 psi, perfect for hvlp guns.

3 yr warranty on tank + best return policy at Home Depot = peace of mind

Also has the most powerful pump under $300.00. More than enought for 2-3 guitars a month.

Thanks for the very timely information and recommendations. That's twice today this forum has been the source of otherwise hard to find answers.

@skycries57: How well does that Ridgid compressor / Campbell-Hausfield gravity-feed combo work for you? Right now I'm looking at 3 - 5 solidbodies per year and anything that will get me away from rattle cans is a huge plus.

FYI: Delivers 4.9 SCFM at 90 psi = 7+ scfm at 35 psi, perfect for hvlp guns.

3 yr warranty on tank + best return policy at Home Depot = peace of mind

Also has the most powerful pump under $300.00. More than enought for 2-3 guitars a month.

Any issues with this compressor? Does it give you constant pressure? I anticipate about 2-3 guitars a month as well.

I have been spraying my current guitar with a 2 gallon compressor and a $10 HF detail HVLP conversion gun and getting great results (better than my turbine-driven system). Of course a larger compressor is better, but this is the compressor I had on hand. You don't need something huge if you are just doing a couple guitars a month.

I have been spraying my current guitar with a 2 gallon compressor and a $10 HF detail HVLP conversion gun and getting great results (better than my turbine-driven system). Of course a larger compressor is better, but this is the compressor I had on hand. You don't need something huge if you are just doing a couple guitars a month.

Wow. Which Turbine do you have? I am so frustrated with my turbine, I get WAY better results with my spray cans (although, I will factor in I am very new to all of this). That's good to know.

I am finding out that Behlen's might be part of the problem. Woodcraft suggested some catalyzed lacquer, but that's not what I am going after. I think I need some retarder as well.

I have been pulling apart all of the info and everyone has their own opinions and experience. No two ways have been the same! I guess this is a trial and error. Just don't endanger yourself! "Silverface" has some posts about safety that are must-reads if you're spraying lacquer (or anything for that matter).

Thanks everyone for your continued input on this one....