Things to know When Buy Air Compressor for Painting Cars

Air compressors are in great demand these days. And with demand comes the supply—there are many options available in the market. You need to choose wisely. Keep these points in mind while considering your options.

1. Select the right type of compressor:

You need to first decide what type of Air compressor you need to buy. Otherwise, it could be an utter waste of your resources.

Air compressors can be classified on the basis of the amount of pressure delivered—low, medium or high. More importantly, though, they are classified on the basis of how they function. It is essential you get this right because it can affect the end-use. Here are the two key types:

-Positive displacement: There are two ways to increase the air pressure. One simple way is to pump more and more air into a container. As the amount of air increases, each individual air molecule’s volume decreases—it can occupy less space. This eventually leads to an increase in air pressure. There are two key types of Air compressors that use the theory of positive displacement.

+ Rotary screw: These are one of the simplest Air compressors in terms of operation and maintenance. They can work at a stretch for hours together. This is possible because the compressor contains a cooling mechanism. This helps reduce temperatures within the compressor and keeps the individual parts operable. As a result, Rotary Screw Air compressors can deliver an output between 7.5 and 100 Horse Power (HP). Some can even go higher.

+ Reciprocating: This is the other Air compressor that uses the formula of limiting the air volume to increase pressure. These compressors can do the job in either a single stage or two stages. They can produce output between 1 and 15 HP.

– Negative displacement: Whenever we take a car on a steep or a U-bend, we can feel a pressure that makes us bend to one side. This is called centrifugal force. If this force is continuously applied, you can easily increase the pressure in a container. Such Air compressors—called Centrifugal Air compressors—are of best use when they are continuously running at full capacity to cause the most pressure. This makes them most effective for operations that need continuous work. These Air compressors can give output up to 100 HP.

Some Air compressors, as we read earlier, can increase pressure in more than one stage. Each stage involves the use of a cylinder. So, more the cylinders, larger will be the number of stages. This affects how you use the Air compressor and to what degree.

– Some Air compressors only contain a single cylinder. These are called ‘Single Stage’ compressors. This limits the amount of pressure the compressor can churn out to 120 Pound per Square Inch or PSI. This makes them low-pressure air compressors. As a result, these are best used for home purposes or to power one single tool in your shop. Since these are smaller, Single-Stage compressors are quite portable.

– Need more pressure? Then opt for multistage compressors containing more than one cylinder. It works this way: The air passes to the first cylinder, where it is pressurized to a certain level. Then it passes to the next cylinder, where it is pressurized even more. So, with more cylinders, the air is pressurized to a large extent. As with any large machine that involves multiple components, Multi-Stage compressors tend to have a heating issue. This is why they require a cooler within the compressor to take off the excessive heat, ensuring a longer life. If you have multiple tools or require pressure over 120 PSI, you can opt for a Multi-Stage compressor.

When you buy an Air compressor, another important factor is how easily you can move them. On this basis, Air compressors are classified into four types:

– Portable: As the name suggests, these Air compressors are meant for easy transport. They are lightweight, allowing you to hop them around, and power your air tools in different work areas. However, Portable compressors are a kind of the ‘Reciprocating’ compressors and produce less power.

– Stationary: These are just the opposite of Portable Air compressors. Stationary compressors are ‘Rotary Screw’ compressors designed for long-term projects in a single work area. You may need to install them by drilling the walls or mounting them, requiring additional effort. However, they are more powerful than Portable compressors.

– Truck-mounted: So you want portability, but also higher power? Then you can opt for truck-mounted compressors. These are essentially Stationary models assembled on a truck which you can move around. They can easily power multiple air tools at the same time through air hoses that run from the truck to the work area. Truck-mounted compressors often use an electric power supply or a motor. This can help you save on fuel costs. But remember, the usage of the hose can reduce the pressure output marginally.

– Towable: These Air compressors are larger than Truck-mounted ones. These are usually found on sites requiring heavy-duty work like construction or forestry. Unlike a truck, these are mounted on large trailers with a strong steel chassis and fully galvanized canopies. They can be attached to any large work vehicle and provide outputs from 14-327 HP and 50 to 1,200 CFM (at 125 psig).

Lastly, keep in mind the power source. Your Air compressors need power to pressurize air. These can be fuel-based like Diesel or Gas or they can be Electric. This can affect how much money you spend.

2. Safety:

It is very important that you buy an Air compressor from professional sources. A high-pressure container can be very destructive if it explodes. This is why Air compressors need to be safe.

The government does not mandate safety compliance for Air compressors. However, industry body OSHA published some safety suggestions. These largely address issues regarding the service and maintenance of the compressors.

If you buy from a qualified seller, each of these issues can be taken care of with routine inspections and maintenance.

3. Get your warranty right:

Another reason to select a professional seller is to get the benefits of Warranty and other service-level agreements. Different companies offer different duration of warranties, but these usually have tenure of 3, 5, 7 or 10 years. It is also imperative that you check the parts covered under the warranty. These are the usual:

• Airends
• Rings
• Gaskets
• Coolers
• Air/fluid receivers
• Variable speed drives
• Suction/discharge valves
• Drive couplers and motors

Sellers also offer services above and beyond the warranty. These service-level agreements (SLAs), designed around preventative maintenance, are often offered in exchange for an annual or monthly fee. This usually includes taking care of:

• Traps
• Valves
• Coolers
• Oil levels
• Air filters
• Belt tension
• Electrical connections

So before you buy, ensure that you read the fine print for post-sale offerings.

4. Manufacturing quality:

Companies can only last for years if they produce quality goods and services. This is why when you go buy an Air compressor, look for well-established companies with a long history. Some names are Hitachi, Kaeser, Husky, Campbell Hausfeld, Sullair, Ingersoll Rand and Maxair.

Distribution is another important factor to consider while choosing a manufacturer—they need to have a wide dealership network including your area. Otherwise, they may not be able to provide good after-sale service.

That said, you need not necessarily go for a global brand. You can also check with a local dealer. If the dealer has sold Air compressors for many years and has received good reviews from customers, then you can be rest assured about the quality of service in the years to come.