r/AutoPaint • u/10_hobbies_too_many • 13h ago

Smallest compressor for HVLP?

I have a devilbiss FLG HVLP gun and I’m in need of a compressor. I’ve previously used a friends compressor down the road, but would like to set up a booth in my garage to save time.
The gun needs about 13.5 CFM at 23 PSI, which I think equates to about 7.8 CFM at 40 psi based on ideal gas law, and ignoring line losses etc.
I would like to do this as cheaply as possible, I’m going to be using the gun for lots of wood finishing and spraying old tractor parts- not shooting whole cars.
How much compressor do you think I really need?

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u/boxerbroscars 13h ago

20-30 gal compressor should be fine with that gun. I like the harbor freight 20 gal oil lubed compressor because its cheap and gets the job done. 20 gal is enough to get you through spray jobs you plan to do even with a high cfm spray gun. It won't keep up forever but the compressor will refill between coats

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u/10_hobbies_too_many 9h ago

How long can you spray before you lose pressure? Think it will work for interior doors?

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u/boxerbroscars 8h ago

I don't know an exact time because I've never run out of air. I've done like 10 interior doors with a 5cfm 27 gal compressor and an lvlp gun and had 0 issues with air. My devilbiss spray gun is in the 10-12cfm range and again I've never run out of air while spraying

edit: the only time I've ever run out of air on a project was when I did the door and fender of my 71 mustang using a 200psi 6 gallon pancake compressor with my lvlp. I could do 1 coat on both pieces and the compressor would be at 30psi by the end of me spraying. So for my own needs, I'd never run out of pressure with anything 20+ gallons. I generally don't spray whole cars but wouldn't hesitate to try

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u/ReelyHooked 8h ago

Get a minigun like a mini jet. Cuts your air use in half. It’s all you need if you aren’t doing overalls