My HVLP is a self contained unit-no air compressor needed. Hopefully you've sprayed before, as thinning the paint properly from the start will ensure that it sprays beautifully, and not splatters and spit. I would suggest a trip to your local Dulux or General Paints store. You can rent a professional HVLP, and they can give you the low down on which tip to use, and how to properly thin your paint. Also, you won't be worrying about will the solvent based paint working ok in a gun that says for water based paints only. If you are painting a "candy" colour, that will most likely have metal flakes in it making it a little more difficult to spray evenly and get even colour. It is different to spray candys, and pearls, than a straight colour like the black bike earlier pictured. He's done a wonderful job it looks like, but when you want the bling of a candy it's a bit tougher and the paint is quite a bit more expensive if you already haven't found out. Properly done, the results will be spectacular. One more point about coverage, if you paint a candy colour, lighly spray your cable stops first, then your long tubes. At the junction points of the head tube, BB shell, seat post area, these will get heavier coats of paint and will be darker than, say the middle of the tube if you're not careful and aware where the bulk of paint will end up. Good luck! Lets see some pictures when you're done!