[Bob Kontak]

My best jobs in the garage (and all my jobs are in the garage) are when I take the time to set my gun up properly. Clean it, run practice patterns on masking paper stuck on the wall, etc.

Also, clean the panels with a vengeance - with extreme prejudice. 962 says to clean a one foot square with prep cleaner then dry with a separate towel. Then move on. I have seen the residue marks left by the cleaner in my paint in the recent past because I was in a hurry.

I would buy a $100 fan at Costco or Sam's Club. Not an extractor - just a strong fan that can get the fumes out. Crack the garage door three feet and put the fan at the bottom of the door. Windy days are dangerous. Pass if you can.

Regarding compressors, 7hp would be killer, but for the DIY guy taking a minute for the compressor to catch up is not the end of the world. I have a 3hp 220v Craftsman/DeVilbiss from the 70's. It is poor by today's standards and my pal's newer 1.8 hp Dewalt kicks it's butt. I paint cars with this relic and spraying at 45-60 psi is not an issue. Air file? Yes, I burn time waiting for the thing to catch up.