I don't have a ton of money to spend on spray paint equipment but what would be a reasonably priced system to buy?  I do not own a compressor or gun so I really don't know where to start with this.  What would be a good entry level system?

Thank you
Mike

I am in the same boat about spraying. I used to own a nice spray outfit when I was building and painting my Starduster homebuilt, however I sold it figuring I no longer needed it. Got back into model airplanes now wish I still had it. I have been finishing my airplanes lately by covering wings with Ultracote and painting the fuselage with Rustoleum. Thought I would try the Preval gun from hardware stores. I'm using nitrate dope as a build up and silkspan on the wings. Fuselage is covered with tissue. So I loaded up the bottle with 50/50 butyrate dope and tried to spray on a small hatch to start. Glad I did as the dope came out with little lumpy specks. So sanded that off and thinned the dope to a more watery substance and it sprayed great. It works the same as an aerosol spray paint can. but has a jar that attaches so you can spray different colors without buying several cans. I know that this post will turn a cocked eye to the professional painter, but you were seeking the most economical way to spray paint. Mark pretty well summed it up by advising a search regarding this matter. Also allot depends on what type airplane and what you intend to do with it. For general sport flying and a clean airplane you do not need to spend much money. Hope this helps or encourages you in some way. Richard358430

Mike, what are you painting, 1/2 a? full sized stunters,, do you compete, are you trying to get a sevicable finish or s show stopper,, so so many variables,,

Richard,
as to the Preval sprayer, not a direction I would go, in fact you are the second person I have heard that made it work,, good for you,, but Not my reccomendation

I use two sizes of Finex guns. One with a 1.4 tip for color, one with a 1.8 tip for clear. I airbrush trim colors. My compressor is a Craftsman 50 gal, 1.5hp with 20 feet of hose. There is a moisture trap on the outlet of the compressor and a pressure regulator at the gun end. Total spent was probably around $400 and worth every penny.

It is not air pressure you are looking for, but CFM.  If CFM is too low the compressor will run a lot.  I bought a used Sears Craftsman 30 gallon, 8 CFM on Craig's list for $100.00.  I've been using it for 5 years with no problems.  An inexpensive
HVLP gun from $30.00 (Harbor Freight) to a more expensive one for around $130.00 (Warwick) will be plenty adequate.  Air brushes don't work well over a large area.  An inexpensive Paasche air brush however, is nice to have.  I've just told you pretty much everything that I use.

I havent heard of warwick guns, I will have to check them out
I heard that Finex guns have been discontinued which is a major dissapointment, they were a fantastic mid price option (made by Sharpe)
but I see that TCP Global still has them
http://www.tcpglobal.com/SHA289222_2.html?sc=120&category=2669214#.Vrte3eaaJ-c