Hey Chris z28 you are right-on in saying you have respect for good body/paint guys, I have a world of respect for the ones that can equal or better factory jobs because I had to self teach myself and I thought I would never learn how to work double crowned contour line areas ( I think thats what its called). A 5hp compressor will be ok for spot/panel jobs with a HVLP gun but the 5hp's that I have used won't come close to keeping up with a full repaint. One other thing, the pros will tell you to go with good quality compressors. I am a beginner/intermediate but know that there is alot of " junk " compressors out there.