Auto Paint ! How do I get started? What tools do I use?

I know I need a compressor and a paint gun. I've actually done some body work but have never painted. I have a project car (steel %26amp; fiberglass) and some motorcycle body parts (plastic %26amp; fiberglass) to practice on.





What size compressor and what type of spray gun do you suggest for a beginner??? Thanks for the help!!!Auto Paint ! How do I get started? What tools do I use?
For painting a full car with great results you will need a 230 volt, 60 gal compressor with a min of 10 cfm @ 90 psi (more cfm is better)





A good air filter/water trap and reg. (blue $30 one from harbor freight)





I like HVLP paint guns.. For you the $50 harbor freight purple # 4340 HVLP gun would do great. I have used it with good results.





You need a 6'; DA air sander, with many diff grits of stick on sand paper.. Good ones to start with is a roll of 80, 120, 220, 300, 400 grit





If you have a good bit of body work to do then an in line long board air sander will make quick work of it with paper in grits 36 or 40, 80, 120.





You need a couple good rubber hand sanding blocks, a long board hand sander.





3/8'; air hose, air blow gun.





Then stuff like your masking tape, paper, bags for wheels/tires, etc





Paint suit so you don't get paint over spray on your clothes and don't get dirt, hair, etc off your clothes onto the fresh paint.





A box of latex gloves (don't want to touch car body after its been cleaned)





Face masks





grease and wax remover





bondo/plastic filler, fiberglass matt, cloth and resin





paint mixing cups, strainers, paint stir sticks,Auto Paint ! How do I get started? What tools do I use?
Air compressors usually say what they can handle on the box...so look for auto spray guns if it's available, but I'd say you want one with at least a 10 gallon tank and perhaps 5 cubic feet per minute (CFM). The CFM is the real indicator as to the compressor's raw power, and ability to sustain a certain pressure, so don't be lulled into one just because it has a high psi. That is useful if you plan on using it for sandblasting later, but for that, you'd want a beastly expensive one anyhoo....





Don't cheap out on the spray nozzle (I did :-D). Get an HVLP gravity feed spray nozzle. Gravity feed will prevent splotches of paint from getting air in the line from bad syphoning, which with a car, you're otherwise just asking for because you'll be holding the nozzle at an angle a lot of the time. HVLP stands for high volume, low pressure, the purpose being to get the paint out just as well at low pressure, which prevents paint particles from bouncing off the surface and gives you a nicer finish. Improper pressure will give you an orange peel finish. This also saves paint...and we know auto paint is not something cheap enough to waste!





It's not illegal if you check regulations. If I recall correctly, it's called the VOC content...volatile chemical something or other...anyway, certain areas have a certain limit on what that can be. Just check that out if you're worried about it (this is not something the cops come by and check along with the drunks), and buy a paint under the limit.





Oh and don't make another mistake which I did my first try...which was putting too much reducer in the paint. Quite a thin coat, that was :-P. Oh and make sure you sand very fine so you can't see any scratch marks at all...they'll show. Good luck.
Don't do it!!! It is probably illegal (EPA rules) to try and paint your own vehicle without the proper enclosed, vented and filtered environment. Besides, it is NOT a job for amateurs; you need years of experience, not ';some parts upon which to practice';. Bring it to a pro and enjoy the results! Good luck!
Look at this link below, I have been practicing and you can get good results if you thin the paint out properly and sand well.