Compressor Question

[Draggn66]

First off I wasn't sure where to post my question so if a Mod wants to move it that's cool. Ok.....my compressor is a 6HP with a 30 gal tank. Damn thing only puts out 7.7 CFM @ 40 PSI or 6.0 CFM @ 90 PSI. From everything I've found that isn't good enough to do the paint on my truck. Anyone disagree with that? Is there any way to modifiy this compressor to "bump" it up to a better CFM? Really don't want to get a new compressor since this one has worked fine for everything else and this will be the only "painting" I do with it. I haven't bought a paint gun yet till I get this compressor thing worked out. Any guns out there that will work ok with this compressor output? ANY advice or info would be much appreciated.

[Wide]

Nothing to do to increase capacity but you can just get a larger holding tank that may permit you to get one coat on a time before it needs the pump back up

[arthureld]

When I used to paint cars (25 yrs ago), 5 hp was enough for painting. Air tools use more air than a spray gun. 5 hp is the minimum for running some air tools.
Hope my memory is correct. I'm sure others will add to this.

[Stoney]

Good paint guns today are HVLP (high volume low pressure) we used to paint cars & bikes in my old garage with a little 3hp 33 gallon tank compressor.

[spiglo]

Do yourself a favor, get a bigger compresser, sooer or later you will be into the last coats and with all the heat build up it will start spitting water on the paint work, no other way around it

[Grogtronics]

There is a way to beef up your air compressor. I did this with an old sears crafstman compressor and when I mean old the original color is a copper/brown color It has a one horse motor on it with a serpentine style belt i took the motor pulley off the motor and brought it to a local power and gear shop they sold me a larger pulley and also a longer belt I did have to relocate the motor when I installed the larger pulley and belt
Before Idid the modification I could barley run my Impact wrench when I was taking off my tires on the truck afterwards I not only could use the impact wrench but I was also able to use a small sand blaster to scour the motorcycle engine and repaint it.
So with a little work and a few parts you can make your air compressor work its ass off for you

[rodbender]

I have an old 3 1/2 hp Craftsman and with a Binks Model 7 by the time I got the cup refilled the compressor was caught up. Also if you don't have an inline filter get one. They're only about 7-10 bucks and catch all kinds of shit. Best of luck.

[CoolMaker]

Be sure to add a water separator/filter before you use it..

[emtee]

The only real way to increase your CFM is to run the compressor section faster. You can do this in essentially two ways. You may purchase a smaller driven pulley (compressor side) or a larger drive pulley (motor side). It will indeed increase your pumping capability, but you will wear out the components much more quickly, as most compressors are speed designed to get just the right amount of lubrication and shed just the right amount of heat.

I have done a fair amount of auto painting, and have found that even with a larger displacement compressor and HVLP guns, the constant cycling will really heat things up. I actually installed an auxillary cooling fan on my 7.5, 80 gal (don't remember CFM right now) unit, and I have bought an auxillary 5 hp compressor just for my breathing air.

As an aside, if you use your compressed air for breathing, please insure that you have the correct filtration (it aint cheap). If you don't you will breath some pretty nasty assed air and will either get sicker than hell or just fall over deader than hell!