5+ Best Air Compressor for Automotive Painting in 2024

Automotive painting is completely different from any other painting such as furniture or wall painting. Therefore it is very essential to have the best air compressor for automotive painting. Which has good specifications so that you can do your work properly and the final product gets a completely new look.

The good quality of the paint spray gun, along with the low quality of the air compressor, makes no sense. So if you choose a low-capacity air compressor of an air tank or it provides a very low PSI of air pressure then there is a very high probability that you cannot do the job properly and even if it works, will take much longer.

Therefore it is better to go with the right air compressor which has all the specifications so that you can do your work properly and also save your time. But if you have any confusion about choosing a good air compressor for automotive painting then follow our comprehensive buying guide first.

and if you have already decided which specifications you desired and you want to buy one. Then we have recommended the 7 best air compressors for automotive painting which has the capability to fulfill your needs.

Table of Contents

List of 7 Best Air Compressor for Auto Painting 

Image Product Details   Price
  Stealth 20 Gallon Ultra Quiet Air Compressor Horsepower:- 1.8 HP

Tank Capacity:- 20 Gallon


Weight:- 121.4 Pounds


Dimensions:- 19.67 x 17.52 x 41.81 inches


Power Source:- Electricity


Voltage:- 120 Volts


Air Pressure Delivered:- 150 PSI, 6 CFM @ 40 PSI and 5 CFM @ 90PSI


Material:- Steel


Noise Level:- 68 dB


Warranty:- Limited lifetime warranty.
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  California Air Tools 10020C Ultra Quiet Oil Horsepower:- 2HP

Tank Capacity:- 10 Gallon


Weight:- 82.5 Pounds


Dimensions:- 16 x 15.1 x 35.9 inches


Maximum Pressure:- 125 PSI


Air Pressure Delivered:- 6.40 CFM at 40 PSI & 5.30 CFM at 90 PSI


Material:- Metal


Noise Level:- 70 dB


Power Source:- Electricity


Voltage:- 110V


Warranty:- 1 Year of limited warranty.
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  Rolair VT25BIG 2.5 HP Wheeled Compressor Horsepower:- 2.5HP

Tank Capacity:- 5.2 Gallon


Weight:- 108 Pounds


Dimensions:- 19 x 19 x 37 inches


Air Pressure Delivered:- 6.5 CFM at 90 PSI


Material:- Cast Iron


Noise Level:- Not mentioned


Power Source:- Electricity
Voltage:- 115V
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  California Air Tools 15020C Ultra Quiet & Oil-Free 2.0 Hp Horsepower:- 2HP

Tank Capacity:- 15 Gallon


Weight:- 90 Pounds


Dimensions:- 28 x 17 x 31 inches


Air Pressure Delivered:- 6. 40 Cfm at 40 psi & 5. 30 Cfm at 90 PSI


Material:- Metal


Noise Level:- 70 dB


Power Source:- Electricity


Voltage:- 110V
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  California Air Tools 8010 Steel Tank Air Compressor
Horsepower:- 1.0 HP

Tank Capacity:- 8 Gallon


Weight:- 48 Pounds


Dimensions:- 26 x 14 x 23 inches


Air Pressure Delivered:- 6. 40 Cfm at 40 psi & 5. 30 Cfm at 90 PSI


Material:- Steel


Noise Level:- 60 dB


Power Source:- Electricity


Voltage:- 110V


Warranty:- 1 Year of limited warranty.
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  CRAFTSMAN Air Compressor, 6 Gallon, Pancake Tank Capacity:- 6 Gallon

Weight:- 32.5 Pounds


Dimensions:- 16.5 x 16.5 x 17.88 inches


Air Pressure Delivered:- 2.6 SCFM @ 90 PSI


Material:- Metal


Noise Level:- Low
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  Industrial Air IL1682066.MN 20-Gallon Belt Driven Air Compressor Horsepower:- 1.6 HP

Tank Capacity:- 20 Gallon


Weight:- 159 Pounds


Dimensions:- 28.5 x 19.75 x 48.5 inches


Maximum Air Pressure:- 135 PSI


Air Pressure Delivered:-  6. 2 CFM at 40 psi and 5. 3 CFM at 90 PSI


Material:- Cast Iron


Power Source:- Electricity


Voltage:- Both  120V and 240V 


Warranty:- 2 Years of limited warranty.
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Read More: Best Air Compressor for Automotive Air Tools


One by One Complete Review of Auto Painting Compressors

1. Stealth 20 Gallon Ultra Quiet Air Compressor

This air compressor is packed with 1.8 HP of powerful motor because of this powerful motor it is capable of fully recharge the empty tank to full within just 70 sec. So you don’t have to wait much.

This air compressor comes with a huge 20 gallon of tank capacity and this air tank is more than enough to deal with any kind of painting stuff and other than that you can use it for multipurpose and this will help a lot.

Because this is packed with a huge 20-gallon air tank it makes it bulky and heavy so its weight is almost 121.4 Pound but this size does not affect the portability because it’s equipped with pneumatic tires so that you can easily move here and there. 

The motor of this compressor is super quiet and it produces only 68 dB which is much lesser (almost 80%) than any other conventional air compressors and also the company claims that it also qualifies for 3 times longer life than a standard induction motor.

This air compressor is capable of delivering air pressure of 150 PSI, 6 CFM @ 40 PSI, and 5 CFM @ 90PSI which is enough for Painting Support inflation, finishing nailer, angle grinder, cut-off tool, impact wrenches, etc.

This air compressor has been designed in such a way that it is compatible with working in cold weather.

Detailed information regarding the product

  • HorsePower:- 1.8 HP
  • Tank Capacity:- 20 Gallon
  • Weight:- 121.4 Pounds
  • Dimensions:- 19.67 x 17.52 x 41.81 inches
  • Power Source:- Electricity
  • Voltage:- 120 Volts
  • Air Pressure Delivered:- 150 PSI, 6 CFM @ 40 PSI and 5 CFM @ 90PSI
  • Material:- Steel
  • Noise Level:- 68 dB
  • Warranty:- Limited lifetime warranty.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Huge 20-gallon air tank.
  • Silent Operation.
  • Lifetime limited warranty.
  • Delivers high pressure.
  • Good customer rating.

Cons

  • No such cons.

Why should you buy this?

If we talk about air compressors then Stealth is the best brand that always provides a quality product to its customer and this Stealth 20 Gallon Ultra Quiet Air Compressor comes with all the features so that you can not only make painting material but You can use it for multi-purpose also.

2. California Air Tools 10020C Ultra Quiet Oil

This air compressor is packed with a powerful 2 HP Motor with 1680 rpm. which is capable of providing air delivery of 6.40 CFM @ 40 PSI and 5.30 CFM @ 90 PSI. and this air pressure is enough to fulfill all your needs.

This air compressor is also equipped with a large 10 Gallon of air tank which can withstand the maximum pressure of up to 125 PSI. So that you can use this machine for long hours without taking a break. And within just 120 seconds it can fill the whole empty tank.

Generally, air compressors produce lots of noise but not the case with this compressor. Because this air compressor is one of the quietest options and it produces less than 70 decibels so this is the biggest advantage so you don’t need to wear earbuds to protect your ear.

Because of oil-free operation, this air compressor gives better performance with low maintenance so that the life cycle of this air compressor before wear increases up to 3000 plus hours. This number is far more than other conventional compressors.

This air compressor is also equipped with an advanced Thermal Overload Protector and with this advanced feature you can operate this air compressor for long hours without any heating issues. 

Detailed information regarding the product

  • HorsePower:- 2HP
  • Tank Capacity:- 10 Gallon
  • Weight:- 82.5 Pounds
  • Dimensions:- 16 x 15.1 x 35.9 inches
  • Maximum Pressure:- 125 PSI
  • Air Pressure Delivered:- 6.40 CFM at 40 PSI & 5.30 CFM at 90 PSI
  • Material:- Metal
  • Noise Level:- 70 dB
  • Power Source:- Electricity
  • Voltage:- 110V
  • Warranty:- 1 Year of limited warranty.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Provides Oil-free operation so less maintenance required.
  • Silent operation
  • Very powerful 2 HP motor with a 10-gallon air tank.
  • Overload Protection.
  • To fill the tank completely it takes only 120 sec.
  • Good for long run time.
  • Customer Rating of this compressor is phenomenal.

Cons

  • The wheel of this compressor is made up of hard plastic.

Why should you buy this?

California Air Tools is one of the best and super famous brands in the air compressor market. Comparing its price with its features, we choose this air compressor, which is our top pick, which can meet all your requirements in the painting industries.

3. Rolair VT25BIG 2.5 HP Wheeled Compressor

This air compressor is packed with 2.5 HP of the powerful motor which spins at 3400 RPM and with this powerful motor it is capable of delivering 6.5 CFM at 90 psi. So that it can do all the work flawlessly.

This air compressor is equipped with 5.3 gallons of air tank which is good enough to paint small automotive parts. And this small capacity of tank with wheels enhances its portability.  So that you can easily move it here and there. If you want to add a separate tank to it then it will be super powerful.

The cast-iron cylinder makes it more durable and protects it from all types of workload and ensures long life.

Detailed information regarding the product

  • Horsepower:- 2.5HP
  • Tank Capacity:- 5.2 Gallon
  • Weight:- 108 Pounds
  • Dimensions:- 19 x 19 x 37 inches
  • Air Pressure Delivered:- 6.5 CFM at 90 PSI
  • Material:- Cast Iron
  • Noise Level:- Not mentioned
  • Power Source:- Electricity
  • Voltage:- 115V

Pros and Cons 

Pros

  • Comes with a powerful motor.
  • Cast Iron enhances its durability.
  • Longer Pump Life
  • You can easily use it for multiple operations.
  • Compact design enhances its portability.
  • Good Customer Rating.

Cons

  • Comes with 5.2 gallon which is a little less.

Why should you buy this?

When it comes to an air compressor, Rolair is one of the best brands which comes in our mind and this air compressor comes with only 5.3 gallons of air tank so if you need an air compressor to paint small automotive items then this budget air compressor can full fill all your needs.

4.California Air Tools 15020C Ultra Quiet & Oil-Free 2.0 HP

This air compressor comes with a 2.0 HP of powerful motor which can operate at 1680 RPM. and deliver the air at 6. 40 CFM at 40 PSI & 5. 30 CFM at 90 PSI. which is enough for all kinds of painting tasks.

The 15-liter capacity makes it an all-around performer and that suits any garage or workshop for painting purposes; this air compressor is one the best options. And this compressor operates at the maximum pressure of 130 PSI.

If I talk about large size compressors they generally produce lots of noise. But this is not the case with this air compressor. This compressor produces 70 dB of noise which helps to provide silent operation.

With this oil-free operation, its dual-piston pump requires less maintenance. Because of this, it can be compatible with the longer life cycle of almost 3000+ hours before wear. This number is 2 to 3 times more than a general air compressor.

Despite being 90 pounds, it is very easy to move it from one place to another. Because of its portable wheels.

Detailed information regarding the product

  • HorsePower:- 2HP
  • Tank Capacity:- 15 Gallon
  • Weight:- 90 Pounds
  • Dimensions:- 28 x 17 x 31 inches
  • Air Pressure Delivered:- 6. 40 Cfm at 40 psi & 5. 30 Cfm at 90 PSI
  • Material:- Metal
  • Noise Level:- 70 dB
  • Power Source:- Electricity
  • Voltage:- 110V

Pros and Cons 

Pros

  • Quiet Operation.
  • Large 15-gallon air Tank.
  • Oil-free operation.
  • Use for multi-purpose
  • Portable air compressors.
  • Awesome Customer rating.

Cons

  • No such Cons.

5. California Air Tools 8010 Steel Tank Air Compressor

This air compressor comes with 1 HP of the powerful motor which operates at 1680 RPM. and the air delivery of this air compressor is 2.2O CFM @ 90 PS & 3.10 CFM @ 40. So this air pressure is good for painting medium to large automotive parts.

Oil-free operation requires less maintenance and because of this it produces 30% less noise than other conventional air compressors and produces 60 dB of noise which is quite low. And also this function allows for use in a variety of temperatures.

This dual-piston pump has been designed in such a way that it has a life cycle before wear of 3000 plus hours. This is much higher than others.

The large 8-gallon air tank makes it more convenient for painting jobs. And that is capable of working with a maximum pressure of 120 PSI. The manufacturer implemented a wheel kit for easy transport.

This air compressor is designed in such a way that it can dissipate heat very easily hence it makes it possible to work for long periods without any overheating. And the thermal overload protector helps a lot in this process.

Detailed information regarding the product

  • HorsePower:- 1.0 HP
  • Tank Capacity:- 8 Gallon
  • Weight:- 48 Pounds
  • Dimensions:- 26 x 14 x 23 inches
  • Air Pressure Delivered:- 6. 40 Cfm at 40 psi & 5. 30 Cfm at 90 PSI
  • Material:- Steel
  • Noise Level:- 60 dB
  • Power Source:- Electricity
  • Voltage:- 110V
  • Warranty:- 1 Year of limited warranty.

Pros and Cons 

Pros

  • Quietest operation.
  • Oil-free design requires less maintenance.
  • The overload protector ensures the coolness of the machine.
  • Easy movable air compressor.
  • Steel enhances its durability.
  • We can use it for multipurpose.
  • Unbelievable customer rating.

Cons

  • The company claims that it produces 60 dB, but it produces more than that.

6. CRAFTSMAN Air Compressor, 6 Gallon, Pancake

This can work on a maximum pressure of 150 PSI. and this can deliver an output of 2.6 CFM at  90 PSI. With this output air pressure, you can easily run the required air tools such as Painting guns, small to medium impact wrenches, etc.

This air compressor doesn’t require much maintenance because of oil-free technology. So you only need to follow the basic rules of maintenance and only this can give you a longer life of this air compressor.

Because of the small air tank size, this air compressor’s weight is very less, almost 32.5 pounds so it is super portable for moving here and there. Despite being a small air tank, it can do a lot of things apart from painting.

Detailed information regarding the product

  • Tank Capacity:- 6 Gallon
  • Weight:- 32.5 Pounds
  • Dimensions:- 16.5 x 16.5 x 17.88 inches
  • Air Pressure Delivered:- 2.6 SCFM @ 90 PSI
  • Material:- Metal
  • Noise Level:- Low

Pros and Cons 

Pros

  • Low noise level
  • Comes at an affordable price.
  • Phenomenal Customer rating.
  • Super portable air compressor with small size.
  • This compressor also comes with 13 pieces of the accessory kit.

Cons

  • Due to the low capacity of the air tank, it is capable of small to medium operations.

7. Industrial Air IL1682066.MN 20-Gallon Belt Driven Air Compressor

This air compressor is equipped with 1.6 HP of a powerful motor and this motor is capable of 120V as well as 240V. The power of this compressor is enough for any kind of industrial automotive painting with other heavy tools.

This compressor is capable of working with maximum pressure up to 135PSI with the air delivery rate of 6. 2 CFM at 40 psi and 5. 3 CFM at 90 PSI this temperature is more than enough for all kinds of painting tasks.

The vertical air tank of this air compressor has a 20-gallon capacity so that you can do all of your tasks easily and the cast iron build of this air tank enhances its durability. 

Because of this huge 20 gallon of air tank, this air compressor becomes so heavy and the total weight of this air compressor is 159 pounds. But because of these Pneumatic tires, we can easily move here and there.

This air compressor comes with 2 gages so that we can easily read the pressure of the air tank as well as the delivery air pressure. It makes it more convenient for usage.

Detailed information regarding the product

  • HorsePower:- 1.6 HP
  • Tank Capacity:- 20 Gallon
  • Weight:- 159 Pounds
  • Dimensions:- 28.5 x 19.75 x 48.5 inches
  • Maximum Air Pressure:- 135 PSI
  • Air Pressure Delivered:-  6. 2 CFM at 40 psi and 5. 3 CFM at 90 PSI
  • Material:- Cast Iron
  • Power Source:- Electricity
  • Voltage:- Both  120V and 240V 
  • Warranty:- 2 Years of limited warranty.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Huge 20-gallon air tank capacity.
  • 2 years of limited warranty.
  • Good for industrial use.
  • Easy operation.
  • With two gauge makes it more convenient.
  • This air compressor is compatible with 120V and 240V.

Cons

  • Expensive and Heavy.

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Buying Guide for best air compressor for automotive painting

Buying Guide for best air compressor for automotive painting

Before choosing the best air compressor for auto painting you need to pay attention to some factors so that you can get a product that is worth every penny. When it comes to choosing an air compressor the capacity of the tank and the size of the air compressor is not the only factor to find a good air compressor.

So you need to be focussed on some of the other factors also to choose the best air compressor for automotive painting

Horsepower for best air compressor for automotive painting

The first thing that comes to our mind before buying an air compressor for automotive painting is how much horsepower is required to get the job done?

Horsepower is all about the power of a motor and the higher it is, the better performance you get. This actually helps for More Maximum Air Pressure, Better Air Delivery, Fast air filling on empty tanks, etc.

If you want our suggestion then go with 1 HP to 3 HP of air compressor according to your usage this range is capable of doing all kinds of automobile painting works. 

If you have fewer tasks and you choose a compressor with a higher HP, then you will not benefit from that product. Because you don’t have that much work. So always try to find the best horsepower according to your work.

CFM

CFM stands for Cubic Feet Per Minute. Higher the CFM, the more volume of compressor air you get at a certain pressure. And this is a Crucial part to choose the right CFM which you require.

Higher CFM capable of providing a high volume of compressed air and low CFM provides a low volume of compressed air. So only if you are looking for the number then it makes no sense. So first you have to analyze the thing which size of CFM is suitable for a paint sprayer tool. If CFM doesn’t meet the requirements of the paint sprayer then your painting can’t be done correctly.

The more expensive, the higher the CFM you get but if you have a medium to the low level of the workshop for painting then you can go with a lower CFM. 

PSI

PSI Stands for Pounds per Square Inch It means measuring the amount of pressure placed on a square inch of the space and this is the amount of pressure that amount of air pressure or force that an air compressor can deliver.

If you want better performance then always choose a compressor with high PSI because it is the main factor for compressor performance. And it helps a lot to complete your job.

But if you want our opinion then always go with a high air pressure of more than 100 PSI so that you can get good performance.

Size of Air Tank for best air compressor for auto painting

It is also one of the most important factors to choose the best air compressor. Remember that bigger tanks can help you work longer. So when you are going to select an air compressor for your need, always try to go with a big capacity air tank.

If you go with a small air tank capacity and then this may run out of pressure pretty soon. So if you have enough budget then always go with more than 10 gallon capacity of air compressor so that you can get your job done easily.

Noise

Air compressor is a machine, generally, all the machines produce lots of noise. If you want a compressor with less noise then always select an air compressor that produces 70 dB or less than 70 dB of noise which can give you a quiet environment.

By the way, if you are using an industrial air compressor, always use earplugs while the air compressor is running.

The motor is Oiled or Oil-free

Generally, all the motors or pumps required oil for lubrication. Nowadays plenty of air compressors present, which come with oil-free technology, and Air compressors of this technology do not require oil for lubrication. So that it required less maintenance. And this also enhances its durability.

But if you want a compressor with a bigger size than the lesser chance to get oil-free technology. So if you choose an air compressor with oiled technology then you need regular use for oil as lubrication.

Durability and Portability of an Air compressor

Air compressors do not come with low prices and you do not want to change your air compressor every year. So always you should take care of the durability of air compressors and nowadays most of the products available are made up of sturdy materials.

For automotive paintings, you need an air compressor with a large tank and because of this large tank weight of the compressor becomes heavy and bulky so if you want a portable air compressor then make sure that the air compressor is equipped with pneumatic wheels so that you can move here and there easily.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for best air compressor for auto painting 

How many CFM required to paint automotive equipment?

Generally, for painting purposes, 0.5 to 12 CFM is more than enough but if I talk about the automotive painting you need a little bit of higher CFM of at least 4 to 12 so you need a compressor with 4 CFM to 19 CFM.

How much PSI needs for better automotive paintings?

How many CFM required to paint automotive equipment?
Generally, for painting purposes, 0.5 to 12 CFM is more than enough but if I talk about the automotive painting you need a little bit of higher CFM of at least 4 to 12 so you need a compressor with 4 CFM to 19 CFM.

How much HP of the air compressor needed for Car or any automotive painting?

HP stands for horsepower and it generally represents the power of a motor. And for automotive painting, we need 1 to 2 HP of air compressor according to our need.

Can you use an HVLP gun with an air compressor?

Yes, of course, you can use an HVLP gun with an air compressor and all the air compressors we have selected will support HVLP guns.

Which 20-gallon capacity air compressor is the best option for you?

There are lots of 20-gallon capacity air tanks present in the market but if you want our recommendation then Stealth 20 Gallon Ultra Quiet Air Compressor might be the best option for you. It contains all the functions which you required for automotive painting.

Which is the best air compressor for auto painting?

All the compressors we reviewed here are best in their range So you can choose one of them according to your need. But if you want our recommendation then California Air Tools 10020C Ultra Quiet Oil best in the range of 10 gallons of air tank and Stealth 20 Gallon Ultra Quiet Air Compressor best in the range of 20 gallons of the air tank.

Conclusion for best air compressor for automotive painting 

We have included everything so that you can find the best air compressor for automotive painting.

I thought you have selected one of them according to your need. So which air compressor for auto painting you have selected, let me know in the comment box.

And If you want our recommendation then  Stealth 20 Gallon Ultra Quiet Air Compressor is our Top Pick you can definitely go with this product, this will not disappoint you.

So guys if you like our post then don’t forget to share this with your friends.

By the way thanks for visiting.

Hi. This is Subhadip. I am a Mechanical Engineer and I have been working in mechanical Industries for more than 3 years. I have expertise in several kinds of Mechanical Devices and Air Compressor is one of them. So I am here to help you find the best air compressor for your desired need.

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