advice on paint guns

[MB]

gentlemen,
I'm sick of the almost good enough results I get out of a rattlecan, or spending extra cash when I want something to look better. I'm gonna get a proper sprayer. I understand how to prep and I have access to a booth so it's about time.
What am I looking for in a sprayer? I'm assuming it should be low volume since I am mainly doing small bike stuff and want optimum pressure.
What size compressor am I gonna need.I don't really know where to start and I only wanna spend this money once.Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks

 

[CafeRacer650]

Good questions. I'm going to be needing a paint setup in short order so I have similar questions regarding sprayers. I do know that cheap is usually a bad idea when it comes to the gun. The close clearances and the need to take cleaning with corrosive chemicals on a regular basis requires good build quality. A spray gun performs only as well as the users maintenance. Clean clean clean. In regards to air pressure, I've done a lot of painting with guns, but they were always hooked up to a built in compressed air system so I don't know the typical air pressures required for paint guns either. Regarding paint booths, there are some good tutorials on building and collapsible paint booth for someone with little space to spare... PVC, plastic drop cloth, house fan and filter. Again, good topic to start.

 

[Basement rat]

What do you want to spend on it/ your whole set up?

 

[MB]

Will it be possible to spend under 100? I have access to a 30 gallon compressor as well as the booth

 

[Basement rat]

Spray gun on sale,

http://www.levineautoparts.com/destlispgunk.html



In all reality, you "can" use an old school pre HVLP gun and work wonders, it will just waste lots more paint and you will have to do even more wet sanding in the end, parts will be hard to find and etc...

 

[MB]

Might be a touch pricey for me right now... Still I don't wanna have to upgrade once I get it down either

 

[t71ford]

The Starting Line guns are great--I still use mine a lot, and am always happy. The touch up gun is the best of the lot, I use it all the time!