AtomicStorm
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2021
- Messages
- 261
- Reaction score
- 71
Most of my projects are alot smaller. I have a 60lb compressor but i need to restore it. As of now i just have a little 6lb. Compressor i found in my grandpas hoarding azz backyard. Probably been sitting there 10 years. Went and got a $20 hose/nozzle kit for it to restore it and it runs like its brand new now. So yeh im guessing the smaller hobby one would work much better seeing that i only work on smaller rockets like a max length of 5 or 6ft. My biggest rocket now is the mean machine. Now i just need to source some good cheap primer, base and clear to put in it.Do you have a compressor to drive a HVLP? I have 2 compressors, a 20gal 1/2hp and an 80gal 2hp. The 20 gal can't keep up with a standard HVLP and most people without a shop have less than the 20gal I have. I spray for 10 minutes, wait 5 minutes to refill the tank fully, another 5 minutes for the motor to cool down and then get 10 minutes of spraying. The 80gal can do it but the compressor alone is nearly a $1k investment.
Before buying air paint system, check what specs it needs to run and if you can supply them. And know that compressor specs lie. If it says it can give 12cfm at 80psi, that really means 8cfm at 80psi.
Look at scale. If you're painting a 5.5", 15' long rocket, the small air brush will take you months to do. If you're painting Estes rockets, the HVLP will put down more paint that the entire rocket needs in 1 second.
You can decant Tamiya or Testors laquers...lots of color options. I sprayed these two rockets with one small can of decanted Testors enamel (graphite gray metalflake) paint cost me about $7.00. Rustoleum Primer cast about $4.00 a can.
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