How to paint with a compressor: selection of equipment and painting technology

Compressor painting can be a game-changer for pros and do-it-yourselfers alike. This technique provides an even, smooth finish that is difficult to accomplish with rollers or brushes. Using a compressor can speed up and improve the efficiency of any task, whether you’re updating furniture or designing a space.

Getting the right tools is crucial before you begin. Spray guns, compressors, and the right kind of paint are all essential for getting a fantastic finish. Gaining the most out of your painting project and avoiding common pitfalls can be achieved by understanding how these tools interact.

We’ll walk you through the fundamentals of compressor painting in this article, along with how to choose the right equipment. With a little planning and the appropriate knowledge, you’ll be equipped to confidently take on your next project.

Choosing equipment

First, let’s discuss which is better for painting.

Spray gun

Sprayers are available in three different types:

1. HP (with white or silver markings).
2. LPHV (with green marks on the screws).
3. LPLV (marked in blue).

For the first category of devices, their cost starts at 300 rubles, while LPLV spray guns can cost as much as 8–10 thousand rubles.

To be clear, there are also small electric sprayers available that have a spray gun attached to the compressor. All it needs to function is power for such a gadget. Electric sprayers are the best option for painting relatively small surfaces in the home.

What distinguishes various types of spray guns from one another? Why are they so different in price?

High pressure devices, sometimes known as CONVs, have been in use for nearly a century in their current configuration. At 5–6 atmospheres, working pressure is reached with a comparatively high air consumption. The drawback of low cost is a significant dye non-target consumption: only 30–50% of the dye is transferred, and the majority of the aerosol is wastedly left on the ground.

Low pressure sprayers that use a lot of air are known as LPHVs, or Low Pressure, High Volume. Paint transfer can reach 70% when operating at an excess pressure of roughly one atmosphere. An extra benefit is that the atmosphere is far less polluted by organic solvent aerosols, the majority of which are extremely toxic.

Low pressure, low volume, or LPLV, systems run with little air consumption. As one might expect, they choose a compressor for painting in a very casual manner; more importantly, these devices transfer paint at a rate that approaches 90% of the volume used.

In one picture, three generations of sprayers.

Compressor

What kind of compressor is suitable for painting applications? Which of these devices’ features should you choose? Let’s examine their classification first.

Screw and piston

A piston compressor is a reasonably basic apparatus that consists of two check valves, a cylinder with a piston, a crank mechanism, and a motor. Compressed air is drawn in from the outside during the piston’s idle stroke and pushed into the discharge pipe during the working stroke.

The design of a screw compressor is far more peculiar. Air is continuously displaced into the discharge pipe from the groove between two tightly fitted rotors by their rotation.

There are numerous benefits associated with this operating scheme:

• The service life between repairs is much longer than that of any piston design.
• The outlet pressure is very stable even without using a receiver (air storage tank).
• The noise level is noticeably lower.

The high cost of screw compressors is the only factor contributing to their relatively limited popularity. The most affordable screw compressors made in Belarus are sold for 110–120 thousand rubles on the Russian market, compared to a high-quality piston device with a capacity of roughly two kilowatts that can be purchased for 6–8 thousand rubles.

An operational screw compressor chamber.

Oil and oil-free

There are two types of piston compressors: oil and oil-free. What the difference is, one can easily guess.

What effects does adding oil to the crankcase have?

1. On the service life of the compressor.
2. On the noise level during operation.

Oil devices are obviously better, even though they require occasional maintenance.

With belt and direct drive

The electric motor can transmit rotation directly, via a shared axis, or via a belt and two pulleys with varying diameters. The second scheme allows you to achieve greater compression in the cylinder at lower speeds and lower electric motor power, making it slightly more preferable than the first, which is simpler and more compact.

But the belt will eventually need to be replaced. It constantly experiences deforming loads while in operation.

Compressor with a belt drive.

What other considerations should you make when purchasing an air compressor?

• On electrical power, which determines the performance of the device. It is better to take a closer look at compressors consuming at least 2 kilowatts. Do not be afraid of excessive consumption of electricity: when the set pressure in the receiver is reached, the power will turn off.
• Per receiver volume. It is better that it is not less than 50 liters. The large volume of the air tank often compensates for the lack of performance, allowing the spray gun to consume more air than is pumped into the receiver.

Technology

How does using a compressor to paint walls and ceilings look?

Preparation

1. The paint is diluted with solvent by 15-20 percent and thoroughly mixed with a mixer. The target consistency corresponds to the thickness of fatty milk. The type of solvent corresponds to the type of paint: water for water-dispersion paints, white spirit for alkyd paints, etc.
2. Furniture and other household items are taken out of the room. Everything that cannot be taken out is wrapped in polyethylene. The floor is also covered with it; the edges of the film are fixed with masking tape.

It’s time to paint the room.

A helpful tip is to completely remove baseboards and linoleum during the project rather than washing them after painting.

1. The surface to be painted is cleaned of dust and other contaminants; before painting with dyes on organic solvents, the base is thoroughly dried.
2. A porous base is pre-primed with a penetrating primer before painting. It will improve paint adhesion and reduce its consumption.

How should a spray gun be ready for work?

1. Connect the spray gun to the compressor.
2. Pour a small amount of solvent into the spray tank.
3. Set the pressure regulator on the compressor to the level corresponding to the type of spray gun and turn on the compressor.
4. After unscrewing the dispenser screw (usually it is the lower one, located above the handle itself), blow out the sprayer. After a small amount of air the solvent should come. If this does not happen, the spray gun will have to be disassembled and cleaned.
5. After the tank is empty, fill it 2/3 with paint and attach it to the sprayer.

Be aware that you should filter the paint using either half-folded gauze or, better yet, nylon tights. The reason for the instructions is that tiny particles of thickened paint can clog the nozzle quite effectively.

It will be necessary to disassemble a clogged sprayer entirely and clean it with solvent.

Painting

Painting is essentially the same as using a car enamel aerosol can.

But let us focus on the principal aspects of painting.

• To adjust the flow of dye, it is better to practice on a piece of cardboard or hardboard. The paint should be applied in a thin layer, without drips and sudden emissions.
• The optimal distance to the surface to be painted is 15-25 centimeters. With its further increase, more dye will be uselessly deposited on the floor.
• The stripes of paint should overlap each other by several centimeters.
• The speed of the spray gun should not be too low. It is better to apply several thin layers than one excessively thick one, which will cause untidy streaks.
• The next layer of paint is applied only after the previous one has completely dried. For alkyd and oil paints, the drying time of the layer is at least a day, for water-based paints – from an hour to two, for nitro enamels – 30-45 minutes. The movements of the spray gun are perpendicular to the previous layer.

Painting in two layers.

• Every two or three tanks, rinse the spray gun nozzle with solvent.

Shutdown

Once the painting is finished, we need to perform a few more manual tasks to get the tools ready for storage.

1. The paint residue is drained from the tank into a container for its storage.

Nuance: Two-component paints are an exception, as they require mixing with a hardener prior to application. After preparation, they are obviously used to the fullest extent possible; the remains are disposed of.

1. The tank is washed with solvent. It can be drained into a separate container for further use when diluting the paint.
2. Then a small amount of solvent is poured into the tank and passed through the sprayer. The goal is to remove paint residues from the nozzle; the criterion for the readiness of the spray gun for storage is a transparent solvent at the outlet.

All of the equipment is prepared for storage after washing. You are now able to begin cleaning.

After being cleaned, the spray gun is stored and disconnected from the compressor.

Step	Description
Select a Compressor	Choose a compressor that matches the type of paint you"ll be using, with a suitable pressure and volume capacity.
Choose the Right Spray Gun	Pick a spray gun that is compatible with your compressor, ensuring it has adjustable settings for precision.
Prepare the Surface	Clean and sand the surface to remove dust and debris, ensuring a smooth finish.
Mix the Paint	Thin the paint according to the manufacturer"s instructions to ensure it flows smoothly through the spray gun.
Test Spray	Before painting, test the spray on a piece of cardboard to adjust the settings and practice your technique.
Paint Evenly	Hold the spray gun at a consistent distance, moving it in smooth, even strokes to apply the paint evenly.
Allow to Dry	Let the first coat dry completely before applying additional coats if necessary.
Clean the Equipment	After painting, thoroughly clean the spray gun and compressor to prevent clogs and maintain their longevity.

A professional finish can be achieved when painting with a compressor, which is difficult to accomplish with conventional brushes or rollers. You can quickly and effectively handle a variety of tasks, from large walls to intricate details, if you have the right tools and methods.

Selecting the right compressor and spray gun for your needs is essential to success. When choosing a paint type, keep the project’s size, desired finish, and paint type in mind. In addition to saving you time, a well-matched setup guarantees a smooth, even coat.

A few essential steps are necessary to master the painting process once you have the right tools: maintaining a consistent spraying technique, adjusting the equipment settings, and properly preparing the surface. It will significantly impact the caliber of your work if you take the time to get these correct.

Ultimately, painting with a compressor can easily change your walls and give them a polished, clean appearance. By adhering to these recommendations, you can attain outcomes that look fantastic and endure for many years.

Painting with a compressor can give your walls a smooth, polished look, but the secret is to get the right tools and learn the technique. This guide offers detailed instructions on how to choose the ideal compressor and tools for your project and shows you how to use them properly. You will discover how to accomplish flawless results with less time and effort than with traditional methods, starting with setting up your workspace and ending with applying the final coat.

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