Does it matter if air compressor runs 80% of the time?

[TROOPER88]

Hi
As per the title; I have had to buy a replacement air compressor to spray a car shell as mine broke down...

The one I purchased is 100 litres, 3hp and 14cfm. When spraying the compressor starts running after a minute or so. Does it matter if I spray whilst it is running as long as I stop every 10 minutes to give the compressor a chance to cool down.

Will it have any effect on the way the paint falls on the panel or the likely finish?

Thank you

[paintman]

The major issue would be if the compressor was unable to keep the tool running & you had to keep stopping to allow it to get up pressure again.
Providing it supplies enough air to keep the spraygun at the pressure required at the nozzle it won't affect the finish.
No need to keep stopping.

[TROOPER88]

paintman said:

The major issue would be if the compressor was unable to keep the tool running & you had to keep stopping to allow it to get up pressure again.
Providing it supplies enough air to keep the spraygun at the pressure required at the nozzle it won't affect the finish.
No need to keep stopping.

Thanks, it deem seem to still be painting ok when it was running. I set the regulator to about 50 psi so I think that is when the compressor kicks in to try and maintain this pressure.

If I notice it drop I will let the machine catch up.

Thanks again

[ncow82]

Do you know what cfm's the gun is using? The quoted cfm is the output of the compressor at all times (I think). The air reservoir is simply there as a store for your pressurised air. E.G. When the compressor kicks (at the pre set PSI) the store has been used. 100litres is a fair amount.
Should be able to spray some before it kicks in at least. Try setting the storage PSI a little higher.

Edited by ncow82 on Friday 9th September 00:14