HVLP question

I ask a lot of dumb questions, but you lot haven't shot me yet, so here goes another. Can an HVLP gun be used with a normal air compressor? If so, is there a mechanism in the gun that adjust the air pressure? I'm going to do my first paintjob in two weeks on an old Accord wagon, and have been reading up on roller painting it, but I've got a free can on automotive paint in close to the color that the car is now, and thought I'd try the HVLP route. Thoughts and suggestions please....

Define normal?

One you buy at walmart to pump up your tires and plug into your cigarette lighter, no.

The HVLP stands for High Volume Low Pressure. You still need a good Air Compressor to be able to keep up the Volume part. The lower pressure (controlled by the regulator on the gun), and the higher paint and air volume (which has operational parameters that are specified by the manufacture the compressor must meet) are designed to minimize paint atomization and lesson waste.

If you haven't done HVLP before, I recommend you practice some. If not you will have the runs!

Yeah, you use a "normal" air compressor. You need one big enough to keep up with the gun, of course. My 4 horse Craftsman, same as a 6 horse sold today, will keep up, but I wouldn't want to paint with less. And you'll need an air pressure regulator, which might (should) be part of the compressor. My HF HVLP gun seems to like about 45-50 PSI at the tank. You need to practice with some cheap paint, like Rustoleum Professional, on a piece of cardboard to get the settings and paint thinner down. Of course, your automotive paint will thin differently, but you need to practice first.

Thanks. I've got a 4hp Craftsman, and was looking at the HF HVLP gun today! I thought the Rustoleum Professional was used by the roller guys. I'll definitely pick some up and practice on some cardboard. The auto paint should be thinned to manufacturer's specs, correct? But what do I do if I don't know what those are? Any generally good starting point for paint/thinner ratio?

Depends on the paint. Find an auto paint store that handles that brand of paint and call them up and ask. Or google up the brand and go through their web site.

As for the Rustoleum, I use it in my HVLP gun. I thin it 20% with regular Mineral Spirits (not "slow") and it shoots well. It will even shoot well straight. I shot my car hauler straight, and the Locost thinned. You need some gun time practicing before you tackle the Honduh. Look around for stuff needing painting. Lawn mower, wheel barrel, garage wall, etc.