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How to choose the suitable air compressor for painting cars
Choosing the right air compressor for painting cars can be an exciting journey, especially if it is your first time buying an air compressor. With so many options available, it's important to understand how air compressors work to make an informed choice. Automobile enthusiasts love their cars and trust only high-quality products for their auto-babies.
That’s why we are here to help you pick the most suitable and best air compressor for spray painting cars. Air compressors have wide-scale utilization, such as for spray painting cars, inflating tires, car detailing, using air wrenches, and more. Additionally, you need to consider various factors before buying an air compressor.
So, let’s find out which air compressor will be a good fit for you.
Choosing the best air compressor type for painting cars
Here are some of the best air compressors that you can get for automotive painting.:
Rotary screw compressors
These compressors are invaluable across various industries, particularly in the automotive sector, for tasks such as inflating tires and painting cars.
Rotary screw compressors provide consistent high-pressure air, essential for painting. They work by trapping air between helical screws or rotors, compressing it efficiently.
These compressors operate at high speeds without mechanical force or valves, produce less noise, deliver higher-pressure air, and have a long lifespan. They maintain capacity over time and can run continuously at up to 46°C (114°F). Regular maintenance by skilled experts is crucial to ensure these compressors perform optimally over the years.
Piston air compressors
Piston compressors are also popular in the automotive world thanks to their low investment cost and easy maintenance.
These compressors compress the air within the cylinders and release high-pressure air into tanks. They operate in dedicated time slots rather than continuously, allowing time to cool down between cycles.
Piston compressors are an economical choice for spray painting and come in both oil-free and oil-lubricated variants.
However, these compressors are the simplest types of compressors. The spare parts are easily and readily available, but their loud noise can be a concern for some buyers.
Requirements to consider when buying an air compressor for painting cars
Here are some factors to consider when buying car painting air compressors, which will help determine the appropriate compressor size and type:
Tank size
Minimum +50 gallons (189 liters).
Your air compressor must have a big tank, as air sprayers require continuous use of compressed air and require higher volumes.
If your air compressor has a smaller tank, you will require frequent refilling, slowing down the work and reducing the efficiency of the process.
Flow rate
Up to 20 Cubic Feet per Minute CFM of air for a high-quality low volume (HVLP) air gun / 10-15 CFM for a conventional spray gun.
You need a large air spray gun to inject large volumes of paint for spraying an automobile, which leads to the breaking up or atomization of the paint. Choosing the right cubic feet per minute (CFM) is crucial when buying an air compressor for painting cars.
We recommend buying a HVLP to get beautiful paint on the automobile.
Adequate pressures for car painting and workshop
It is essential to consider the PSI (pounds per square inch) before making a decision. This is the pressure at which your air system will operate.
Make sure that you consider the highest operating pressure required for the job and compare it to the available operating pressure of the compressor.
| Applications | l/s | CFM | PSI | Air tools | CFM | PSI | ||||
| Home use | 0.5-1 | 1-2 | 70-90 | Airbrush | 0.5-1.5 | 20-30 | ||||
| Spray Gun | 2-4 | 4-8 | 30-50 | Tire Inflator | 1-3 | 100-150 | ||||
| Spray Painting | 2-4 | 4-8 | 30-50 | Impact Wrench | 3-5 | 90-120 | ||||
| Sandblasting | 3-12 | 6-25 | 70-100 | Air Ratchet | 3-5 | 90-100 | ||||
| Various Power Tools | 1.5-5 | 3-10 | 90-120 | Paint Sprayer | 6-7 | 30-50 | ||||
| Automotive Assembly | 4-7 | 8-15 | 90-120 | Grinder | 4-8 | 90-120 | ||||
Filtration: why is necessary for spray paiting?
- Oil Contamination:
- Oil particles can cause fish-eye defects and poor adhesion in paint.
- Even small amounts of oil mist can ruin the finish, especially in automotive or high-end painting.
- Moisture & Water Contamination:
- Compressed air contains water vapor that condenses in the system.
- Moisture in the air leads to blushing, streaking, and bubbling in paint.
- Dust & Particles:
- Dirt and rust from piping can mix into the air and cause paint defects.
Consult our Atlas Copco professionals
We hope this blog has helped you make an informed choice.
If you have any further questions, connect with Atlas Copco experts. They can assist you in selecting the best-suited air compressor for painting cars based on your requirements, budget, and other factors.
We offer a range of high-quality and efficient air compressors for various applications. Our team is ready to help you find the perfect one for your car painting needs.
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