Reliable compressor for painting the vehicle allows you to carry out high-quality processing of the machine yourself. Another thing is that in the modern market among a wide range of products it is not so easy to choose the best model. The quality of the paintwork and ease of use depend on its parameters. Consider the characteristics of popular modifications, as well as consumer reviews of some manufacturers.
Unit purpose
The compressor for painting is a universal device that mixes air and gas mixture under pressure. During operation, the device prepares a compressed composition for subsequent use. Modifications with a low pressure indicator and a small camera cope with the task poorly, leaving stains and streaks on the car body. Such versions are usually used for pumping wheels.
Powerful compressors for car painting also perform a number of functions:
- They can be aggregated with pneumatic tools and diagnostic devices.
- Used for applying primer in auto repair.
- Act as a spray of anti-corrosion compounds.
- Designed for blowing and cleaning various components or parts.
- Participate in the process of washing and polishing the vehicle.
Piston and screw models
A piston compressor for painting a car is a fairly reliable and productive device. With poor performance, such models are not suitable for applying an external coating. With these parameters, aggregates are most often used to mask a flaky surface.
Advantages of the device are the low cost and ease of replacement parts. Most elements can be repaired without disassembling the hull. Another advantage of the device is its low power consumption. The principle of operation of the mechanism includes the operation of a diesel and electric drive, which contributes to the conversion of the resulting electricity into a compressed air mixture. Through a special tube, the mechanism is activated.
A screw compressor for painting is used to apply paintwork to the car body. The fixture is easy to operate and maintain, as well as economical. The pressure in the working compartment is created by synchronously scrolling parallel collars located in the core of the device. The design provides chambers that serve to reduce and increase pressure, and there is also an automatic protection control device. It allows for constant air supply with the ability to set the desired operating mode by the operator. Such units are mainly operated in large enterprises where an uninterrupted long-term mode of use is required.
Other modifications
What compressors for painting are still used, we will consider further. The following models are presented here:
- Mechanisms without oil and their analogues, which operate by pumping clean air mass. It is not advisable to use them for processing the car body, since a large amount of hydrogen is observed in the feed composition, which is fraught with the appearance of bubbles on the treated surface.
- Turbine air compressors for painting are optimally suited for body finishing. The mechanism is characterized by a high rate of performance. However, it is not very mobile and has an elementary control unit.
- Combined units. They are compact in design, combine the qualities of piston and oil devices, do a good job of applying paintwork to the vehicle.
Recommendations
In order to correctly determine which compressor for painting a car is preferable, you should study the list of technical characteristics of the device and its capabilities. To eliminate small scratches and chips, a model with a small capacity and a small tank volume is quite suitable.
However, in this case, it is unlikely to get the perfect coverage without streaks and smudges. When choosing a mechanism, the type of atomizer should be considered. We will talk about this later.
Spray guns
Paint spraying devices are also qualified. Among the most popular versions, the following modifications are distinguished:
- High-pressure low-pressure apparatus type HVLP. When working with this device, paint is removed outside the painted surface in a small amount. The disadvantage of this category of spray guns is the ability to work only with powerful compressors for painting, which produce at least 360 liters of air volume per minute. Engine operation is carried out only in high mode, which increases oil consumption and involves the use of additional filter elements.
- The HP sprayer is focused on high pressure, has a lot of advantages. The disadvantages include the release of excess paint outside the object in a decent amount. As a result, a turbulence is created, after which the residues sit on the processed object.
- LVLP. This spray gun works with low pressure and a small volume of the working tank. The advantage of the system is a stable small pressure at the outlet and inlet, and excessive ink output does not require a particularly powerful blower.
Compressor selection criteria for painting
When choosing a unit, certain parameters related to the characteristics of the device and its final destination should be taken into account. For professional use of the tool, it is advisable to choose an oil piston unit, the power of which is at least 8 Bar. The volume of the receiver can vary up to 100 liters.
As a result, the output of the working mixture is about 330 liters in 60 seconds. It is unlikely that it will be possible to completely paint a car, but it is quite possible to mask surface damage and scratches.
Professional work
What kind of compressor is needed to paint machines professionally? This will require more powerful and productive mechanisms. Their strength should be at least 10 atmospheres with the possibility of processing 200-500 liters per minute.
Specialists come in handy a single-cylinder analog with a set of 330 l / min. and a 100-liter receiver. Overhaul of a car is best done using devices with parameters from 500 l / min. - 200 l. The cost of such a unit will be much more expensive. If the device is used often and in individual entrepreneurship, it pays for itself quite quickly.
Manufacturer's Reviews
In their responses about manufacturers, users identify several brands that are reliable and high performance. They are listed below:
- TOP Aero. This Chinese compressor has a capacity of 1.8 to 2.2 kW, a tank of 50 liters, can be equipped with one or two cylinders.
- A good option is ABAC Pole Position Plus OM 231. Its parameters: capacity - 24 liters, engine power - 1.5 kW, productivity is 230 l / s with a weight of 25 kg.
- FIAC FX 95. Brief characteristics: volume - 24 l, weight - 27 kg, power - 1.1 kW, capacity - 205 liters per minute.
- In their reviews, users also respond positively to the brand Schneider Druckluft A 111 002. This unit produces 200 liters of usable volume per minute, has a capacity of 1.1 kilowatts, weighs 20 kilograms.
DIY Compressor
A homemade device for processing paintwork compositions of the car body will cost less than the store version. You will need an engine that is suitable for power, for example, from a refrigerator. In addition, it will be necessary to purchase a receiver, a tape-fum, a pressure gauge, a fitting, a pressure control relay, an adapter and a crane for the pump. All parts are connected securely to each other. Then the pressure in the system is checked. If everything is assembled correctly, this figure will be 3.5 Bars. Next, the frame is welded, after which the gearbox and the moisture separator are attached.
Useful Tips
To find out which compressor is needed for painting, you should pay attention to the recommendations of specialists. They recommend the use of reciprocating air compressors. These units proved to be most effective, both in private garages and at service stations.
Oil-free variations of this type are optimally suited for the simplest vehicle maintenance procedures. Oil models are used for the above procedures, and are also used as devices to qualitatively paint the vehicle. In turn, they are divided into belt modifications and versions with direct drive. Mechanisms with a belt are more reliable: the motor runs at a lower frequency, the diameter of the flywheel is slightly larger than the shaft dimensions, and a well-thought out air exhaust system is provided.
Brief summary
For those who like to craft in their garage, an oil compressor with one cylinder and a receiver volume of up to 100 liters is suitable. The productivity of such an apparatus will be about 300 liters per minute. Those who are going to engage in professional painting of cars, it is recommended to purchase models with a capacity of at least 500 liters (with a working pressure of 10 atmospheres).