Best Air Compressors For Painting Cars

Car painting is a show-quality job and you can not achieve the desired quality and efficiency without the right equipment in hand. Choosing an air compressor that is fully compatible with your spray gun is crucial to perform the car painting job in commercial environments.

Whether you are a beginner or an auto expert, you need to consider various features like pressures, CFM rating, and tank capacity while choosing the best air compressor for painting cars.

To help you make a wise decision I’ve reviewed the 6 best air compressors for painting cars. After trying out various options in multiple auto painting jobs I’ve fitted out the six best options for you.

Best Air Compressors For Painting Cars Overview

IMAGE	PRODUCT	DETAILS
Best Overall	Best Overall	Makita Mac5200 Air Compressor	Power Source: Corded Electric Tank Capacity: 1 Gallons Voltage: 120 Volts	Check On Amazon
Premium Pick	Premium Pick	Campbell Hausfeld VT6271 Air Compressor	Power Source: Corded Electric Tank Capacity: 20 Gallons Voltage: 230 Volts	Check On Amazon
Editor’s Choice	Editor’s Choice	California Air Tools 10020C Powerful Air Compressor	Power Source: Corded Electric Tank Capacity: 10 Gallons Voltage: 110 Volts	Check On Amazon
Budget Friendly	Budget Friendly	NorthStar Single-Stage Portable Electric Air Compressor	Power Source: Corded Electric Tank Capacity: 20 Gallons Voltage: 230 Volts	Check On Amazon
Most Durable	Most Durable	Makita MAC2400 2.5 HP* Big Bore™ Air Compressor	Power Source: Corded Electric Tank Capacity: 5 Gallons Voltage: 120 Volts	Check On Amazon
Best Seller	Best Seller	California Air Tools CAT-4610AC Air Compressor	Power Source: Corded Electric Tank Capacity: 4.6 Gallons Voltage: 110 Volts	Check On Amazon

6 Best Air Compressors For Painting Cars Review

With A 3.0 HP motor, it produces 6.5 CFM at 90 PSI which is big enough to handle almost all my car painting jobs. I have been using this air compressor for more than 3 years and it works just as well as the day one. The cast iron pump combined with a big bore cylinder and piston promises durability and class-leading performance in the commercial environment.

Another thing that made me buy this compressor was its low operating temperature. This air compressor uses a lubricated pump that minimizes friction. Also, the copper finned discharge ensures efficient heat dissipation, and even at the maximum pressure, I didn’t face any overheating issues.  The noise level of this air compressor is as low as 60 dB which is more than impressive considering its power rating.

I love this compressor for its flawless performance but the thing that bothers me is its low air tank capacity. It can hold only 5 gallons of air and requires multiple refills while working on big projects. The low profile design coupled with a foldable handle and rugged wheel makes it the best air compressor for painting cars.

Why I Recommended Makita Mac5200 Air Compressor

Makita MAC5200 is my favorite air compressor in my auto shop for its low maintenance requirements and low operating temperature. With its patented big bore and cylinder technology, this air compressor offers flawless paint quality without limiting work speed and productivity.

The feature of the compressor that I admire the most is tank capacity.  It can hold up to 30 gallons of air and I can paint a whole car with just one refill. Its CFM rating is 10.2 CFM for 90 PSI and there I always prefer it for my heavy-duty air guns. The air compressor delivers everything that you need for a smooth and trouble-free start.

An 18-piece accessory kit and inflation gum help you get a smooth start right out of the box. The horizontal air tank, low profile design, and handy wheel are prominent design features. With effortless handling and ease of maneuverability, it ensures quality output while working with different types of spray guns. Also read about best spray guns for painting cars.

The biggest issue with the Campbell air compressor is that it has some fitting issues. The pulley is lopsided which wobbles a lot. Also, the check valve’s performance becomes poor over time which limits the pressure to only 60 PSI. Its maintenance requirements are higher compared to Makita Mac5200 and some other single-stage air compressors that I own.

Why I Recommended Campbell VT6271 Air Compressor

Campbell VT6271 is a powerful unit that can handle high-power spray guns without limiting the speed and spraying efficiency. I prefer this compressor for big painting projects for its spacious tank and patented twin-cylinder pump.

The air tank capacity is 10 gallons which is good since it has a low CFM rating. With an ultra-powerful 15 amp outlet and power rating of 5500 watts, I was able to get the longest run time of 60- minutes with this air compressor. The rugged-wheeled construction is another perk of this air compressor.

It comes with a 14 gauge 25-ft long cable.  It is pretty easy to move around which further makes my job easier. Cast aluminum cylinder offers durability without making it too hefty. Plus the oil-free pump reduces maintenance requirements and ensures smooth operation.

The noise level under maximum pressure is only 70 dB. Rust in the tank is the biggest issue I found in this air compressor. After a few refills and drains, I noticed that the tank was full of rust water. Also, it is not a leakage-proof compressor and a little mishandling can lead to leakage issues.

Why I Recommended California Air Tools 10020C Air Compressor

California 10020C is a great option for light to medium-duty air guns and tools. The pressure adjustment is super easy and with little effort it allows you to get an ultra-smooth paint finish. The high tank capacity means fewer refills and impressive speed making it the best air compressor for painting cars.

The pressure adjustment is super quick and easy which improves the work speed. Its tank capacity is 20 gallons and for one car I refill it only 2 times. The premium-grade cast iron twin cylinder ensures durability and improves overall productivity. Another perk of this air compressor is its built-in cooling system. It uses copper-finned coolers to dissipate the heat.

Since it maintains low operating temperatures the wearing process of this air compressor is slow and it is working fine without any major maintenance requirements. The biggest problem with this unit is that it was delivered with severe fitting issues. The technical support is poor by Northstar and you need to contact a local technician to get all its parts perfectly tuned and ready to work.

Why I Recommended NorthStar Portable Air Compressor

Northstar portable air compressor with a wheeled design, big cylinder, and impressive power output can handle almost all my auto painting jobs with maximum efficiency. Once you perfectly tune all its parts it offers flawless performance and ensures efficiency no matter which type of paint you work with.

If you’re a beginner in auto paint spraying, then you may also be interested to read about best automotive paint gun for beginners

It doesn’t work with heavy-duty air guns but since its recovery time is short I loved its work speed in the big auto painting projects. The lubricated pump dissipates the system heat and maintains low operating temperatures. Where the lubricated part of the pump needs regular cleaning and maintenance for trouble-free performance.

The durable cast iron cylinder is solid and ensures smooth performance in the long run. The noise level of this air compressor is 69 dB seven at the maximum pressure. The top-mounted pressure gauges with handy pressure adjustment knobs make the pressure adjustment super easy and efficient.

It is fully compatible with a wide range of spray guns and lets you work with paint of different thicknesses. The biggest downside of this air compressor is that the oil leaks a lot from the pump. The lubrication process is messy since a big part of the oil is released from the pump. Also, its tank capacity is limited and requires frequent refills in auto painting projects.

Why I Recommended Makita MAC2400 Air Compressor

Makita MAC2400 is a reliable air compressor designed with the needs of professional-grade air tools in mind. Its ability to handle a range of air guns, low operating temperatures, and durable tank construction makes it the best air compressor for painting cars.

This twin-cylinder air compressor packs all the power that I need to perform detailing and finishing jobs in auto painting. The air compressor uses an oil-free pump that offers smooth performance with minimum cleaning and maintenance requirements. Also, its tank construction is rust-proof and the wearing process is slower as compared to other air compressors in this class.

The pressure adjustment is easy and the productivity of the air compressor is also impressive. It works great with both HVLP and LVLP spray paint guns and also I loved its ability to handle different paint thicknesses.  However, I’ve noticed some issues with the exhaust system. The air is left inside the chamber that can cause bubbling and lock the chambers. This issue can lead to serious internal damage if not handled on time.

Why I Recommended CAT-4610AC Air Compressor

California CAT-4610AC is one of the most reliable air compressors that I’ve ever used. With a leakage and rust-proof design, it offers trouble-free performance in all working environments. Also, its pressure adjustment is smooth which improves speed and productivity making it the best air compressor for painting cars.

FAQs about Car Painting Air Compressors

Can I paint a car with a single-stage air compressor?

Yes, you can paint a car with a single-stage air compressor if its CFM rating and pressure rating are enough to handle the job. You need to look for a minimum pressure rating of 40 PSI with 5+ CFM for car painting jobs.

What size air compressor is needed for painting a car?

It depends upon the type of spray gun you are using for spray painting a car. For low-volume low-pressure spray guns, you need a compressor having a CFM rating between 3-7 at 40 PSI. For heavy-duty spray guns, you need a CFM, rating of 1at least 10 at 90 PSI.

Wrapping Up Air Compressors For Painting Cars Review

I’m hopeful that this review guide will help you choose the best air compressor for painting cars. All the options reviewed above are tested for quality and performance and you will not regret it if you make a purchase. Here are my top three picks from the list:

• Makita Mac5200 Air Compressor for portable design, low noise rating, patented big bore cylinder, and higher productivity.

• Campbell Hausfeld VT6271 Air Compressor for class-leading CFM rating, big tank capacity, and ability to work with heavy-duty air guns.

• California Air Tools CAT-4610AC Air Compressor for its oil-free pump, low maintenance requirements, rust-proof tank construction, and smooth performance.

While buying an air compressor for spray painting you must consider the type of air guns you own. It is crucial to choose an air compressor that is fully compatible with the spray gun that you want to use for your painting project. Also, you should consider noise rating, tank capacity, and ease of maneuverability while making a purchase.