Best 20 – 30 Gallon SMALL Air Compressors for Auto Painting!

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Hey, it’s Tony from LearnAutoBodyAndPaint. Today’s topic is all about Best 20 – 30 Gallon SMALL Air Compressors for Auto Painting!

I’ve been getting a lot of queries about the best air compressor for a mini spray gun so I’ve decided to make a video for all of you.

We’ll cover small compressors in this video. I’ll be making another video for large compressors that are required to paint an entire car.

Here’s a 20-gallon Campbell Hausfeld horizontal electric air compressor. When you’re using a full size spray gun and not a mini, you should be using an LVLP Spray Gun when you’re using these smaller air compressors.

I don’t recommend using an air compressor smaller than a 20-gallon because you need the air volume reserve when you’re painting. The smaller air tank you have, the less reserve you have of stored compressed air.

Imagine using a 5 or 6-gallon air compressor that will be running continuously to pump out air for you, which is called CFM. Then, the small air compressor will struggle, specifically if you are painting an entire car.

Smaller air compressors are ideal for motorcycles, car parts like a car fender or bumper covers. I recommend you use at least a 20-gallon or 30-gallon air compressor.

To save space in your shop, I recommend you buy a vertical air compressor or something upright just like what I show you in the video. This is a good deal at $189. It’s the same version as the vertical one.

Check out the video as I show you some of the products that I find.

When using a mini spray gun, you’ll be doing at about 25-27 psi continuous air flow since you’re only doing small areas. You will not be 40 psi. Sometimes the gun rating says 7-12 psi of CFM rating but this will just give you a guide and may not be actually what you’re painting with. It is a gray area and tricky sometimes when you see these specifications.

If you’re sanding with a 30-gallon tank, it will die out very quickly because it will need a lot more air to feed that DA Sander.

Watch the video and learn more!

This is Tony of LearnAutoBodyAndPaint. I hope you liked my video today. If you are looking for an awesome mini spray gun, check out the Atom Mini X16 Spray Gun on Zoolaa now. The Atom Spray Guns are the BEST alternative spray gun if you are looking for something less inexpensive than the popular brands that are out in the market.

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Thanks everyone for joining me today. Don’t forget to SMASH that LIKE button, share and subscribe to my videos!

Talk soon! Cheers!

Tony

Other Helpful Links:

What Size Air Compressor Do You Need To Paint a Car?

How To Set Up Air Compressor for Your Garage Part 1

7 Must Have Auto Body Tools To Get Started in Auto Body Repair

How To Set-Up Your Air Compressor – Part 2

FREE Auto Body Repair Tips – Auto Body Tools – DA Sanders, In Line Sander – How To Sand a Car

2 thoughts on “Best 20 – 30 Gallon SMALL Air Compressors for Auto Painting!”

  1. This is very helpful! Thanks for all the knowledge. Thanks to your love for what you do, I’ll have the first candy job on my lawn mower in Valdosta GA!

    Reply

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