CFM's!?

[preacherman]

I have noticed that different guns require different CFM's. Conventional and HVLP vary from 8 to 15cfm's. What does this mean as pertaining to the quality of the finish? If you have an older compressor like me and don't know anything about it, how would you know if the gun was working properly or does the cfm requirement have a great deal to do with the finish? I have no problem with 150psi but thye cfm's are unknown. It has a 60 gallon tank and has a two stage pump. Don't know the Hp though.

[Len]

Most 60 gal. compressors will keep up with most spray guns at least long enough to get around the average size car. The problems arise when you have a small tank (small reserve) and you're only putting out half the volume of air needed to drive the gun. What happens then is you get half way around the car and the pressure will start to drop causing the gun to atomize poorly, then you need to wait until the compressor catches up which causes the paint to dry on the surface and you get rough areas. An 80 gallon tank and a compressor that puts out at least 13 to 15 CFM is recommended but the 60 gallon model is the bare minimum however is should put out at least 12 CFM.

[Phil V]

What brand and model of air compressor is it ? if you don't know that then what color is it ? What makes you think its a two stage air pump ? Look at the tag on the electric motor and see what horse power it is rated at. 220V single phase obviously ?