Painting cars is an incredible thing and knowing how to paint a car with a small air compressor is even better. Note that the size of the air compressor cannot allow you to paint your car at one go. That means you should be patient enough to paint it stage by stage. Doing it at once will only cause a lack of uniformity.
Because the air compressor is small, you may be forced to keep on refilling. Without that, you will not attain the level of polishes you desire. Having a small air compressor does not necessarily mean you cannot paint your car to your satisfaction, as you will learn at an air compressor for painting cars.
What Kind of Compressor Do I Need to Paint a Car?
Once you understand how to paint cars with such compressors, you can achieve the results of a professional. If you have followed this path, it is paramount to understand the compressor you require to paint your car. The 60-gallon tank is perfect and ideal for this task. Such a tank is equipped with a 5-6 HP compressor with adequate CFM to deliver proper flow into your spray gun.
Most paint sprayers offer consistent airflow when painting a car, and that should be your focus. With the right compressor, the performance of the paint sprayer you will be using will be significantly improved. In the end, your car will have that exquisite finish that you have been craving to have. Painting a car may be messy. To avoid that, have the right compressor for exceptional results.
How to Paint a Car With a Small Air Compressor? Step by Step Guide
The truth is painting a car with a small air compressor can prove to be a tiring process. Painting a car is a labor-intensive task and will take a lot of time. If you are keen on how to paint a car with a small air compressor, this is the right guide. The best part is, it can be done, and this guide will show you how to carry out the steps one by one.
Step 1: Preparation
It all starts with gathering all the materials you will require for this vital project. Next, you need to prepare the area you will work on. If you will be using your garage, clean it, and allow for extra space.
Be sure to get rid of any foreign objects that may hinder the smooth flow of this process. If you will be working on your car outside in an open space, clean the area and do away with surface contaminants. Proper preparation will guarantee you an excellent finish.
Step 2: Stripping
It’s time to remove all the coats from your car. How do you do that? By using a sander to sand the car specifically in circular motions. You may be wondering why circular motion. Because that single action will eliminate not just the top coat but the base coat too.
The entire coat will be cleared as you continue sanding all the way down. You will notice that when you finally use the prime coat, a perfect finish will be achieved. Once you are through with sanding, get a clean rag and wipe the exterior of the car doing away with all the dust.
Step 3: Priming
This stage entails masking off the places you don’t want the paint to get to. Remember that this process can get messy, and you may end up painting your car in areas you didn’t want to. If you have never used such equipment to paint a car, it is advisable to practice first. Get a paint sprayer and probably paint a piece of steel to determine if you are up to the task.
Master the art of painting before working on your car to prevent unforeseen mishaps. Once you are certain that you are in control, get the primer, and apply it to your car in thick even coats. Ensure you commence at the top as you work your way down.
Apply up to three coats allowing for a 10-minute interval when applying each coat. Allow up to one hour for your premier to cure. After that, the primer will resemble a powdery finish that you need to smooth using wet-and-dry sandpaper.
Step 4: The Painting
Finally, you are all set to start the actual painting. Start by mixing the paint by following the instructions laid down to achieve the specified ratios. Get painting as you move from one panel to the next. One panel will take almost an hour before it gets cured.
A minimum of three coats is highly recommended for the best results. For the last coat, ensure that you do away with the powdery residue. Using a buffer, buff the paint in a circular motion taking the precaution of not burning the paint.
Step 5: Masking tape
Do not forget to remove the masking tape that you used earlier. Doing this on time will prevent interference with the wet paint.
Allow for the clear coat to cure as instructed. Inspect your job to check for any faults, and if you find any imperfections, sand back that area, then respray.
You have perfectly painted your car without involving an expert. With this procedure, you will be able to save a huge amount of money by painting the car yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have some questions about painting a car with a small air compressor, we would be happy to answer. Here are some common questions that we have handled.
Can you paint a car with a pancake compressor?
A pancake compressor does not reserve adequate air that can be used in a paint gun when painting a car. Its air tank is tiny hence not ideal in the whole process of painting a car.
Does the tank size matter when it comes to painting a car?
Absolutely! The tank size determines the capacity of handling a car painting project. A small tank size will take you longer while using a big tank size will make you finish the job within no time.
Can you paint a car with a 10-gallon compressor?
A 10-gallon compressor is not as effective as using a 50-gallon compressor. Inasmuch as you can use a 10-gallon compressor, it will not deliver the desired results in a specified time frame.
How much PSI do you need to paint a car?
To get an even coat when painting your car, you need to use ten to 15 PSI.
Final Thought
By this time, you have all the details on how to paint a car with a small air compressor. This is what was the essence of this article. By now, you should have the right skills to perform this task. By doing that, you will end up saving money because you will not have to hire an expert to perform this job.
Painting a car should not be seen as a daunting task. Instead, it should be embraced as an art that allows you to bring out the right skills in shaping your car to your liking. Keep practicing and with the time you will master the process.
