I like Ingersoll Rand compressors too. I've used a small one for the past 6 or 7 years - handles an HVLP sprayer just fine. I have a second one in my garage too. They are older versions of this one. Requires oil and water filters in the line.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_122381_122381

Have you considered a HVLP turbine, instead? For a couple hundred more, you can get a Fuji Mini Mite 3 turbine, and a T-Series spray gun. Spraying four guitars would be no problem, and it would be portable. One down side would be the turbine being noisier, but you don't have to worry about oil and water contamination.

Alex

I like the compressors from California Air because they are much quieter. In a small shop where I also use air for vacuum fixtures it makes a big difference.

What ever you get the cfm needs to be at least double what your gun requires. I had one that was only slightly higher than requited and with a small tank and once I started to spray the compressor duty cycle was way too much on time.

Fred

Very interesting that you point out one of these high horsepower small oil lubricated portable compressors. So even at only 4 gallons it serves you well for spraying guitars? Does it constantly run while you spray? Because of the high HP it must recharge very quickly. Makita makes a series of "big bore" 4 to 6 gallon units with 2 to 3 horsepower that I was interested in because of the high portability of only a few gallons but the really low overall capacity had me concerned. I once sprayed with a very very inexpensive 1/3 horsepower 4 gallon oil-less craftsman when I was first learning. I got through 4 guitars and the compressor wore out not long after.

I like the compressors from California Air because they are much quieter. In a small shop where I also use air for vacuum fixtures it makes a big difference.

I have just been learning of them in my research. I'd never heard of them previously. Sounds like a good setup. Do you think they are marketed and designed more for the hobbyist or the professional?

Very interesting that so many people are using these Fuji systems. I had honestly not heard of them until recently. What might be some of the pros and cons of the Fuji style turbine system versus using a traditional air compressor?

I know you got a compressor already, and I use mine all the time. Used to spray with a Sata conversion HVLP, and thought I couldn't get a much better spray.

Until I got my Fuji Minimite. I can lay a good off the gun finish, which means less sanding. I have WAY less overspray. Startup & cleanup is FAST. Way less overspray. Works great with the 1.2 tip, even better with the 1.0 tip. And it lays a LOT of material on the instrument (way less overspray).

Cons- not unlike the Sata, you have to learn to use the gun, which is easy. You have to really tighten the nozzle so it doesn't leak, which is easy to do.

So I pulled the trigger and just bought this compressor: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200518764

Just went on sale for $30 off and along with a $50 promo code and free shipping it was $419 flat. Couldn't pass it up. In a perfect situation I should probably have a bit more CFM than this compressor delivers. But as I'm not spraying cars or furniture I'm hopeful it will serve pretty well for guitars. I'll try to remember to come back to this thread and tell a bit about how it performs.