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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Cosmetic Maintenance: Wash, Wax, Detailing, Repairs > Anyone use a paint gun for touch ups etc?
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      03-20-2020, 12:02 AM   #1
straightdraw84
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Anyone use a paint gun for touch ups etc?

I was wondering what type of compressor to get and the hp/gal?
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      03-20-2020, 07:36 AM   #2
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You don't need a very large gun for touch up. I have one of these:
https://www.harborfreight.com/adjust...gun-92126.html

It doesn't need a lot of air, so even a small compressor like this is OK:

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-gall...air+compressor

Always check for coupons at Harbor Freight, they almost always have them.

I have a full size gun as well, but I seldom use it. As for the compressor if you do much work around the house you might want a larger one for use with other tools.
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      03-20-2020, 12:21 PM   #3
straightdraw84
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
You don't need a very large gun for touch up. I have one of these:
https://www.harborfreight.com/adjust...gun-92126.html

It doesn't need a lot of air, so even a small compressor like this is OK:

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-gall...air+compressor

Always check for coupons at Harbor Freight, they almost always have them.

I have a full size gun as well, but I seldom use it. As for the compressor if you do much work around the house you might want a larger one for use with other tools.

How about a tire compressor? lol
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      03-20-2020, 12:58 PM   #4
Billfitz
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A tire compressor doesn't have a tank, so it won't do. But a small compressor with a tank will fill tires.
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      03-22-2020, 03:03 AM   #5
straightdraw84
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Cool thanks for the info!
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      03-23-2020, 06:18 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
You don't need a very large gun for touch up. I have one of these:
https://www.harborfreight.com/adjust...gun-92126.html

It doesn't need a lot of air, so even a small compressor like this is OK:

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-gall...air+compressor

Always check for coupons at Harbor Freight, they almost always have them.

I have a full size gun as well, but I seldom use it. As for the compressor if you do much work around the house you might want a larger one for use with other tools.
I've got a 3 gallon/100PSI hotdog compressor, and was recently wondering if it could handle small paint work. With a similar gun, would you say that setup would be sufficient to prime a set of side skirts?
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      03-23-2020, 09:13 PM   #7
Billfitz
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That's enough compressor, you're not going to need more than 30-40 PSI and not a lot of volume either. This gun size is ideal for skirts.
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      03-24-2020, 03:20 AM   #8
sdbmwcoding
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What kind of touch ups do you plan to do and where on the car?
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      04-04-2020, 04:28 AM   #9
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It all depends on the spraygun-compressor combo. Your compressor needs to be able to feed enough air to the spraygun, preferably with enough margin so it doesn't need to turn on every 5 minutes. For touch ups/small areas a lvlp (low volume, low pressure) minigun will do and you won't need a big compressor.
You might want to practice with it first, different settings in fan/pressure/distance/paintflow/... will give different results and affect the color/metallic/pearl.
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      04-11-2020, 08:43 PM   #10
straightdraw84
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ended up getting this:

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/m...1390p.html#srp
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      04-14-2020, 05:24 PM   #11
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also get a moisture trapper for the air line just to make sure its dry clean air, compressors have a habit of accumulating moisture inside.
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      04-15-2020, 12:22 AM   #12
straightdraw84
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Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by RMachuca3d View Post
also get a moisture trapper for the air line just to make sure its dry clean air, compressors have a habit of accumulating moisture inside.
Yeah I always empty the air out after use
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      04-15-2020, 08:14 AM   #13
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You need to open the drain at the bottom of the tank after every use, otherwise water will build up in the tank.
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      04-15-2020, 12:59 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by straightdraw84 View Post
Yeah I always empty the air out after use
As the air compressor fills up the tank, the natural humidity existing in the air condenses, emptied or not you need a moisture trapper if you want to make sure the air you are using is dry.
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      04-15-2020, 04:54 PM   #15
straightdraw84
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Ah k, thanks for the tip guys
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