I'm going to purchase an air compressor and would like to know what size I need?

Question

I'm going to paint a 1990- cadillac brougham and would like to know how many scfms I should look for .I'm looking for something around 400 to 500 dollars.

Answer 1

The standard cheap 2.4cfm@90PSI ones wouldn't be very good. You should look for at least twice that and at least a 6 gallon tank for spraying.  

Answer 2

Just compare the CFM ratings of all the compressors in your price range and pick the highest.If you ever use it to run an impact gun or a DA sander you want all the airflow you can get.They can run an air tank dry in a hurry.One thing to consider is if you want an oil less compressor or not.They are less maintenance than a regular compressor but most are much noisier to operate.Don't forget to get a good moisture trap for your air supply.Moisture in an air line will ruin a paint job in a hurry.

Answer 3

I recommend the biggest tank and highest horsepower electric motor with an oiled compressor head in a single stage unit you can afford. Mine is a 6.5 horse with a 60 gallon tank DeVilbiss. Runs on 220 volt. Ran me about $400 a few years ago.

Didn't buy it here, but this guide has more helpful info;

http://www.northerntool.com/catalog/buye...