What Size Compressor Do I Need to Paint a Car?

How to Pair Up Your Car Spray Gun and Compressor 

Your compressor and car spray gun go hand in hand, and, although we are looking at what size compressor you need to paint your car, you need to also consider your spray guns air requirements.   

In order to do that, you should know what to look for when considering which air compressor to pair with your spray gun. 

The compressor behind the gun is just as important to the end results as the actual gun itself. These considerations are crucial in making the right choice for the compressor and gun that will work the best together. 

By using the criteria, you will be assured to get the pairing that will make your application process easier and produce the best results. 

Air Pressure: Pounds per Square Inch (PSI)

Air pressure is crucial when looking for the right air compressor. The type of paint gun you plan to use is one of the most critical factors to consider when choosing a compressor for painting a car. Most spray guns are gravity feed HVLP or LVLP, and these tend to have lower PSI requirements.

No matter what type of spray gun you get, you will have to find a compressor that meets the CFM requirements. That leads us to the next feature you should consider — the CFM rating.  This is a very important feature to consider especially when buying an LVLP Spray Gun.

CFM – Cubic Feet per Meter

CFM is a critical specification to pay attention to, especially when selecting a paint gun. CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, which refers to the volume of air produced by the compressor at a given pressure. Spray guns require a steady, continuous flow of air to operate correctly, so it’s essential to choose a compressor that can keep up.

The key is to find a compressor with a CFM rating higher than what your paint gun demands. If the compressor can’t deliver enough air, the performance of the gun will suffer, and your paint job may be uneven or inconsistent.

So, how many CFMs do you need to paint a car? Most spray guns operate best within a range of 80 to 100 PSI, and they typically require between 4 and 19 CFM depending on the model. Advanced paint guns tend to need more air, so make sure the compressor’s output exceeds the gun’s maximum CFM requirement.

Tank Size

Tank size also plays a big role in achieving smooth, uninterrupted painting. Because spray painting uses a continuous flow of air, the tank must have enough capacity to keep up. A small tank will empty quickly and force the compressor to cycle on and off, which leads to pressure drops and an uneven finish.

To avoid this, go with a compressor that has a large enough tank to deliver consistent air throughout the job. This will let you paint in one steady motion, giving you a much cleaner and more professional-looking result.

What is the Best Pressure for Spray Painting? 

The pressure rating of your air compressor is very important when it comes to making sure you are properly set up for your car painting needs. This is measured by the rating called PSI or pounds per square inch.  

This is a measure of how much pressure your air compressor can generate.  Even though PSI is important when it comes to pressure, it’s not the only thing to consider.  

Most spray guns for cars are gravity feed HVLP or LVLP and they don’t need a ton of air to lay down a smooth coat of paint or clear.  In fact, most experts would suggest spraying a base coat at about 15 PSI.  

For clear coat, you want to look for a compressor that produces 25 PSI.   Lower pressure outputs of these guns means the paint goes down soft and smooth on your vehicle. 

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What Size Air Compressor Do I Need? 

When thinking about what compressor to buy, you will want to first figure out the types of jobs and tools you will be using the most.  How big of a compressor you need to paint depends on your spray gun.  

Can you paint a car with a 30 gallon compressor? If you get an air compressor with a tank that is too small, you will inevitably end up with uneven paint flow because you will have to start and stop while you wait for your compressor to catch up.  

The most important thing is to make sure your compressor generates enough CFM’s to power your sprayer.   

How many gallons do you need in an air compressor? What Size Compressor do I need to Paint a Car?

If you’re gearing up to paint a car, your air compressor needs to deliver both power and consistency. Most pros recommend choosing a compressor with at least a 50-gallon tank. This gives you enough capacity to generate the consistent CFM (cubic feet per minute) your spray gun demands without frustrating delays.

It’s worth noting that while a 50-gallon compressor can handle most car painting jobs, it might not be ideal for powering other air tools for long periods. Take brad nailers, for instance—they consume a lot of air fast.

With a smaller tank, you’ll find yourself firing off a few nails, then having to pause and wait for the compressor to recharge. That kind of stop-and-go isn’t great when you’re trying to stay in the flow.

If your budget allows, stepping up to a larger tank can make a big difference. A bigger tank means more consistent airflow and less downtime, especially if you plan to use multiple air tools or spray larger surfaces in one session. 

What Size Air Compressor Do I Need for a Spray Gun? 

When we talk about size here, it’s not just the physical size of the tank that matters. You need to pay attention to three key specs: horsepower (HP), CFM, and PSI. These numbers tell you how much air your compressor can move and at what pressure; essential for getting clean, even coats of paint.

Generally, more horsepower means more CFM, and that’s what spray guns really need. But horsepower alone isn’t everything. The most important thing is making sure your compressor can deliver enough CFM and PSI for your particular spray gun model.

So instead of getting caught up in tank size or horsepower alone, look closely at your spray gun’s air requirements. Match your compressor’s output to those numbers, and you’ll be set for a smooth, professional-quality finish every time.

Here is a chart of the most popular spray guns for cars and their CFM/PSI requirements.   

Sprayer	CFMs
DeVilbiss	12-13
Iwata LVLP	16
TCP Global Kit	3.5-7.1

Now, when it comes to physical size, one factor to consider is whether or not you need a portable compressor. If you are looking to do jobs on the go, you will want to go for a portable option that is lightweight and compact. If you’re building a shop, then you can go with a larger model. 

What Does 10 PSI to the Cap Mean? 

10 PSI to the cap means that your spray gun requires at least 10 PSI to be delivered to the spray tip or nozzle of your paint sprayer to properly spray (atomize) the paint.  Less than 10 PSI and you won’t be able to spray any paint. 

How much Pressure does an HVLP Gun Need? 

Most HVLP spray guns operate around 10 PSI.  Always check with the manufacture to make sure your air compressor and spray gun are a match in terms of CFMs and PSI.   

Some HVLP and LVLP spray guns chew up air pretty good, like the DeVilbiss line of sprayers needs at least 12-13 CFMs to spray.  Same with the Iwata LVLP line of sprayers which requires more CFMs and PSI than you would think for LVLP Guns. 

What Size Compressor do I need to Paint a Car Conclusion

What size compressor do I need to paint a car? Well, that depends on your spray guns CFM and PSI requirements, and the setup you are looking to be able to use.

Pairing the right compressor to your spray gun will give you the best results. 

What is the Best Air Compressor for Painting Cars?  Click the button below to check out our Best Air Compressor for Paint Sprayers Reviews.

FAQs What Size Compressor so I Need to Paint a Car