Yes, I've decided that for christmas all I want is a paintgun and compresser set up. Being a total noob at this, what is the best setup to just jump in and get my feet wet?

 

https://honda-tech.com/forums/showth...ght=paint+guns

Compressor should be 30+ gallons. DeVillbiss has a great beginner's paint gun system they call the Starting Line series. There's also the Finish Line series that's a little better, but still reasonable for a first gun(s). You'll want an in-line air dryer/oil separator as well. You can get cheap ones at Harbor Freight, but for some better stuff check out Eastwood's equipment. Actually, you can get everything right from Eastwood. They're 10 min. from my house and I've dealt with them a lot, they're good people.

Start by looking at the stuff below, then build your system how you want.

- DVDs (would be perfect for someone just starting out) http://www.eastwood.com/paint-equipment/books-dvds.html

- Regulator/Dryer/Separator http://www.eastwood.com/ew-filter-se...or-system.html

- Starting Line Paint guns http://www.eastwood.com/devilbiss-3-gun-kit.html

- Respirator (very important to get a good one. This is the same one I spray with every day.) http://www.eastwood.com/professional...or-medium.html

Naturally you'll have to get all the rest of your tools and supplies if you plan on actually painting anything. lol. You'll need a DA Sander and some sanding blocks at least. For your materials, only buy from places like Eastwood, never buy body filler (Bondo) or sandpaper at Wal-Mart or an auto parts store. Always buy good materials and once you learn how to properly use them (DVDs) you'll always have a high quality result.

One thing you'll realize very quickly is that setting up a 'paint shop' of your own is much more involved than just buying a gun and compressor, and it gets expensive...fast. Buy high quality tools and materials and learn to do it the right way and it can be very rewarding. Buy supplies at Wal-Mart and do things half-assed and you'll learn that doing this kind of work 'backyard' style is incredibly difficult and will get you pissed off quick. You'll end up giving up or else just putting out **** work and hating the result.

 

go to BIG 5 or a similar sporting goods store and they'll hook you up

 

im pretty sure he's not talking about a paintball gun.

 

Thanks alot for pointing me in the right direction here. I'm not looking to get into this professionally or anything, just have a couple cars I'm doing work on that I would like to teach myself how to paint. Though I can't believe how expensive the filter seperator is, more then the guns themselves.

 

SATA or Iwata. That is, if you want to spend $500+ on a gun. lol

 

Maybe if automotive painting is something that really tickles my fancy and I get good at it. But for now, I think its best I just stick to the basics and just feel my way around rather then just dropping a whole bunch of cash on just one gun.

 

Exactly. Well said, glad you understand that. That's the reason I posted the recommendations that I did. My basecoat guns (two of them) each cost a little less than $600... the new clear gun setup I bought a few days ago was $775 and change. That's not taking into account any of my primer or sealer guns or my solvent/single stage specific guns. However, I use them every day and I use them hard. I need high quality in my line of work. It's like a pro drag racer spending a ****-ton of money on an engine and tires etc. or a mechanic spending thousands upon thousands of dollars on high quality Snap On or Matco tools... it's what makes him his money. A person just starting out or maybe getting into a new hobby has absolutely no need for a $500+ paint gun(s).

 

well put

 

the 100 dollar craftsman gun works perfect, u wetsand and buff afterwards anyways and my cars come out like glass

 

That's exactly the way I look at it to EG. If you're gonna cut n buff then the gun isn't that critical anyway. However, if you plan on painting a lot a good gun is worth the investment because it can save you a lot of time with the buffer. If you plan on using chameleon or candy paint then a good gun is also important to keep everything even. I really like the IWATA series because of the low air consumption which is great for small and medium sized compressors.

 

i agree, its all in the aplication, i sprayed a valvecover like glass with a 20 dollar gun