Paint Compressor question

J

Jr630

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Joined
Apr 10, 2007
RO Number
25843
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4
hi All,
I've just aquired a 20'Mako center console Boat.
I'm going to completly redo the entire Boat over...anyway I've stripped the Boat down to the Hull and have flipped it over to Strip off all of the old paint(about 5 layers) Barrier coat and paint.
I've powerwashed and sanded all of the bottom paint off and purchased the barrier coat (Interprotect 2000E) I'll be ready to Paint soon as the weather clears up a little. I need to get a Compressor for the final Topcoats but have been overwelmed with the amout of styles,sizes and pricing of them. Can someone please tell me what size of a compressor will I need to just do the Painting?
I'll not be needing the compressor to run any type of air tools or blasters....Just the Painting!
Any help at all would be Greatly Appreciated
 
You will need 40 psi at the gun with the air flow determined by the gun. I have painted several cars with a 1+ HP compressor, 100psi max with a 10 gal tank. Get the highest cfm at 40 psi at 120V you can find. Higher max pressure, 125, is a benefit in increasing stored air and 10 gal minimum tank IMO is required. Check your breaker because 15Amp will limit HP. 115V * 15A = 1725 watts, 746 watts per hp yields 2.3 max hp from a standard 120V outlet and i didnt want to use 220V. I don’t have a clue how some are advertised at 4 HP at 120V but in any event it is not necessary. It is important to use a very heavy duty electrical extension cord to avoid voltage drop at long distances or better yet, use a long air hose and plug in right at your wall socket but increase pressure a bit at the tank to compensate for drop in the long hose. Use 3/8 ID hose not the cheaper 1/4". The key to using a lower powered compressor is to let the tank recover pressure from time to time. Paint slowly and dont keep the gun open all the time and the 1 hp worked fine for me. Guns and compressors are rated at continuous flow at a particular pressure e.g. 3cfm at 40 psi. Just realize that the tank is an accumulator and you can paint at 6 cfm even if your compressor only puts out 3 cfm by only spraying 50% of the time. In actuality since you start with 100psi or so you have a long time to spray before tank pressure reduces to 40psi. So realistically, you don’t seem to run out of air. Practice with primer as it needs to be sanded anyway. HD used to have explanations of all this stuff on their web site so check there. Use an air filter dryer to remove moisture from the air. Paint while temp is increasing as humidity will decrease for a while as temp increases.
 
Are you painting BOTTOM PAINT with this rig???? In most cases it's not recommended; read the directions.
 
Bottom paint needs to be rolled or brushed. With todays marine paints you can roll and brush with fantastic no brush mark results and will look sprayed. Check the various manufacturer websites and you'll even find video of folks doing a perfect job without spraying.

Advantages include substantially less masking, no over spray and no less breathing of the fumes.

If you decide to spray investigate renting a top of the line HVLP (high volume low pressure) gun from either an equipment rental place or quality paint store. These guns generally come with their own compressor and minimize over spray while maximizing paint on the surface. They have the advantage of being fairly easy to use, are quick and enjoy easy clean up. To paint one boat though the cost to purchase one is a bit high though it would still be cheaper than paying a pro to do the job.

Remember, painting a boat is like buying real estate except the key words here instead of location, location, location are prepare, prepare and prepare.

Good luck, it can be a fun job.

Mike, Palm Coast, FL
 
Hi guys,
First I'd like to THANK YOU all for the GREAT answers. I'm NOT planning on putting any Bottom Pint on the Boat just Barrier coat,maybe a primer and either Interlux's Perfection or VC Paint. Someone had suggested to put a coat of Epoxy Resin on before I Barrier coat it...Does this sound right? Today's weather was kinda rotten to go to the Boat and try to get something done. I was looking thru a TP Tools & Equipment Catalog (tptools.com) that I recieved Sat and found HVLP Turbine Paint Sprayer System. Has anyone ever used this type of product and would it be good system for painting my Boat?
Thanks Again
Joe
 
hvlp systems may be good but for me a compressor has so many other uses that is the way I always go.
 
The barrier coat is epoxy already. Just remember that if you want a real finish coat from the Perfection, the barrier coat will require an incredible amount of work to get a smoooooth bottom underneath the Perfection. If you intend to keep the Mako in the water, then I don't believe Perfection is rated for constant immersion. On a trailer you should not have any problem.
Al
 
A good compressor always has other uses. That is why I havetwo:a 5hp/30 gal non portable and a 1hp/3 gal portable. However, if I am going to paint I use my airless.

G

Boy, is it hard to type on this lapton in a chair with high arms.
 
G: you can paint a boat with an airless? If I did that the boat would look like stucco, man you are good.
 
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