Do you need a regulator/filter for airbrush compressor?

Hi Robert! Welcome to the Forums.

The answer to your question is Yes to stop water from getting into the paint mix from the compressor. I guess you already know that the regulator is to control the air pressure.

If you go to the Painting and Airbrushing section of the forums, you will find out a lot about using an airbrush. Just scan down the titles of the posts there and you will find out everything you always wanted to know and some things you didn't. You'll find what pressures the members use for various paints and why. All kinds of info there. If you don't see what you need, just ask.

Hopre that this helps. Enjoy.

Jim   

Yep, a combo regulator/moisture trap is the way to go.  You'll find the regulator allows you to dial in the "sweet spot" for different paints and applications.  If you don't have a regulator, the air coming out will be at max pressure all the time, which will make nice finishes very difficult.

I picked up a regulatorand a moisture trap from Harbor Freight for less than $10 for both.  The trap is the red "pumpkin" trap, and works great.  I put them on the end of the A/B hose that plugs to the compressor with quick disconnects which are the same as we use at work, so I can use it either at home or work.

The traps are around a buck each, and disposible.

Robert -

I consider the means to eliminate water essential for my use, and the regulator is equally important, if not more. I use multiple paint types, from primers, to colors, to clear coats. The pressures I use vary with the paint types, as low as 12psi to as high as 25psi.

Every few passes I run the pressure up high and pull the trigger back to the max open position for just a quick burst, to aid in preventing buildup of material which can lead to "clogging" of the front airbrush bits, creating spitting and uneven finishes. This is easily and very quickly accomplished by use of the regulator control.

As Goldhammer pointed out they are available at several places, they don't need to be expensive to do the job well. Harbor Freight is usually a good source for items such as these. If you do use them, I'm quite sure you'll see the benefit very quickly. Good luck in sourcing them.

Patrick

In the past when I used a general purpose compressor, I did have one of those combined regulator/filter units. I switched to an Iwata made-for-airbrush compressors, which has a built-in regulator, but no filter.  I had planned to add a filter if I needed it, but have not been bothered by water, so have had it two years and had no water problems.  I think maybe the fact that the compressor does not run at as high a primary pressure as GP compressors may help.  Also, no tank, and the output does have a high frequency pulsing, but this does not seem to affect the painting.

Back when Sears sold stuff, I got a combo regulator/ moisture trap from the hardware section.  I think it was something like $30, but it’s rock solid and is in use to this day.

Generally if you can source stuff without a “hobby” label, it will be cheaper.  I just had to buy a bunch of adapter fittings to match my air hose and compressor outlet.  I also got a quick disconnect fitting for the air hose so I can take the airbrush indoors after use.