Thread: Water in Compressors

I have seen a lot of problems posted here due to water issues.

As air is compressed, it heats up....Try touching the tank inlet line, it will burn you quick.
While the air in the compressor tank cools, it will condensate and muild up moisture in the the tank.
Most peolpe run a moisture trap right at the tank, for a small compressor this may work, most of the time it will not.
The air in the line will hold moisture all the time, period.

I know on your little compressors it is not practical and most of you do not have the space do do a propper set-up.

Your set-up should include the compressor, a flex line between the tank and hardline, a hard line mounted on the wall (metal of some type, NOT PVC) of at least 3 feet, and then a water trap.

The metal hard line gives the air a place to condensate just before it reaches the trap, I run 2 traps and then my regulator, as well as another trap and regulator @ my ab hose.

nice picture leigh but I am puzzled about the paint spray that appear to come from the airbrush close to where your thumb is

I'm glad you posted this Pit as I do seem to have a recurrring problem with spurting water after my compressor has been running a while, I was/am considering one of those small filters Leighton has on his Ab as backup - I'd be interested to know how that's working for you Leighton?

Years ago I tried several different types of driers that mount between the hose and the airbrush. Unless you have absolutely bulletproof technique and monster arm muscles, they all interfere with your style after a while. I like the idea of an inline trap between the airbrush hose and the hoses that come with most compressors. Most compressors with tanks have a safety valve type drain on them. If yours does, do your compressor a favor and drain it after each session.

Good advice Paulyboy and I found out the hard way. Drain those compressors. Another life lesson under the belt.

Hubby ran my lines for me (with a little input from me). I have the coiled hose that came with the compressor running to a hard line, into my building, once in the building I have a farly large (atleast I think so) water trap..hardline runs about 9 more feet and I have another water trap and then my regulaters. We are running 2 ABs on 2 regs. Does that sound like enough? We are just starting and only today got to play a little with it for the first time.

Sounds like more than plenty