question regarding moisture traps

jasper_yee

hi guys,

im not really sure if i am posting my message in the right forum with regards to my question(if i am not, i do apologize in advance, am a bit new to this forum posting )

anyways, my question is: a.)how many moisture traps does your compressor have?; b.) is it attached with the pressure regulator?; c.)  and to most aztek airbrush users, do you guys have an inline moisture trap attached to your hoseline? i have seen this one on FSM january 2001(inline moisture trap), but it seems that testors doesnt market it.  the reason why i am asking this is because, lately, i am having problems with the condensation inside the hose. and it has wreaked havoc on the painting(im sure you guys have experienced this at one time or another)  I bought my compressor and pressure regulator(which came without a moisture trap)  separately and at that time i thought i wouldnt be needing the moisture trap, now its coming back to bit my behind.

thanks in advance!

 

I use two...one is part of the compressor regulator, and I also have an inline trap on the hose just to be safe. You can get an inline trap for any airbrush model hose AFAIK, but if you just buy the trap you'll have to install it yourself onto the hose...which isn't a big deal, it just means you'll have to cut your hose. Paasche makes one that appears to be universal http://www.micromark.com/PAASCHE-MOISTURE-TRAP,9554.html?sc=WGB&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=GoogleBase , the description doesn't say that it's specific to the Paasche hoses. Airbrush retailers also sell some model-specific hoses with the inline trap already installed (Paasche, Iwata, don't know about the Azteks).

One problem with having just one trap is that if you don't remember to open the release valve on the single trap to let the accumulated water out on a regular basis, it can get into the hose (which is what I've done ). The overall reason for wanting an inline trap is because as air is compressed it gets hot and as it cools it produces water (condensation); a trap attached on or near the compressor will catch water droplets but the air is still hot as it passes through it from the compressor, which means as the air cools in the hose water vapor forms. Local humidity conditions also affect this. So the trick is for the air to cool before it meets the trap, not after, so having a trap as far from the compressor and as close to the tool as possible is ideal, although you wouldn't want the trap so close to the airbrush that it weighs your hand down I imagine. Having two traps provides a good safety margin.

One thing's for sure: you shouldn't be airbrushing with no trap, as you've discovered.

jasper_yee

hi guys,

im not really sure if i am posting my message in the right forum with regards to my question(if i am not, i do apologize in advance, am a bit new to this forum posting )

anyways, my question is: a.)how many moisture traps does your compressor have?; b.) is it attached with the pressure regulator?; c.)  and to most aztek airbrush users, do you guys have an inline moisture trap attached to your hoseline? i have seen this one on FSM january 2001(inline moisture trap), but it seems that testors doesnt market it.  the reason why i am asking this is because, lately, i am having problems with the condensation inside the hose. and it has wreaked havoc on the painting(im sure you guys have experienced this at one time or another)  I bought my compressor and pressure regulator(which came without a moisture trap)  separately and at that time i thought i wouldnt be needing the moisture trap, now its coming back to bit my behind.

Jasper, you are at the right forum and welcome.

If you are in the US and have a Hobby Lobby nearby, HL carries an Iwata Pistol-grip filter that can be installed in line with most Iwata compatible hose which is about 80% of the hose sold. If you use the brand of compressor and airbrush that use their proprietary hose connectors, you will need adapter for it. Other forum member can help you with more specific suggestions if you mention what airbrush and compressor that you use.

A better solution is to get a regulator, moisture trap combo unit. I got mine from TCPGlobal years ago. It worked well for me over the years.

Most of the regulator/moisture trap come from China this days. But the quality varies. You want to get one with a diaphrapm valve, not just a simple orifice. That would give you finer and more accurate adjustment of the airflow. Get one with a glass instead of plastic cannister. The regulator/moisture trap from the major airbrush manufacturers should likely meet the quality requirements, but tends to be overpriced.

Is you air conditioner on yet? Air conditioning does a good job removing moisture in the air. Sometimes, that's all you need if you are not living in a tropical or sub-tropical climate.

I use three (!) but the third is only because I bought an airbrush that came with a hose that had the inline type. Otherwise I have one on my garage compressor which is plumbed into my man cave with a second mounted in my spray booth with my regulator.

I'm no expert, so here's an amateur tip. I start every session by unscrewing the hose from the brush and running the compressor for a few seconds with the end of the hose on the floor (concrete slab in the garage). Holding it with my toe.Usually get a spurt of condensation that's gathered in there and I would rather not run through the brush before I paint.

Indeed too long a hose can create problems. I have two setups.  I have a compressor out in the garage that I seldom use any more (it cannot be used in Minnesota winters because the garage gets cold enough that the compressor will not start.  I have a second regulator and moisture trap down at the end of the pipe, by my workbench.

But more and more I am using, even in summer, a little compact compressor right next to my workbench. I only have a single trap, right next to the regulator, and for a compact setup it works fine.The only hose is the actual airbrush hose.

If you are getting moisture, however, that is an indication that you do need the second trap.  Moisture is a problem if the air- hot right at the output of the compressor- cools too much.

You can never get 100% of the moisture out, however.  If the humidity is too high, then since the nozzle of the airbrush is an expansion, you will get cooling there, and possible condensation.  But then, the recommendations have always been, never paint on 100% humidity days. Various other problems occur on those kind of days, even with brush painting.

Don Stauffer

But more and more I am using, even in summer, a little compact compressor right next to my workbench. I only have a single trap, right next to the regulator, and for a compact setup it works fine.The only hose is the actual airbrush hose.

If you are getting moisture, however, that is an indication that you do need the second trap.  Moisture is a problem if the air- hot right at the output of the compressor- cools too much.

You can never get 100% of the moisture out, however.  If the humidity is too high, then since the nozzle of the airbrush is an expansion, you will get cooling there, and possible condensation.  But then, the recommendations have always been, never paint on 100% humidity days. Various other problems occur on those kind of days, even with brush painting.

Don, it is good that you remind us where compressor moisture comes from.

Jasper,

An airbrush uses a minute amount of air compared to other power air tools. In normal airbursh use, the compressor should not get hot at all. Condensation should not be a big problem if the compressor is not used at extremely high humindity without building air conditioning. If the compressor gets hot to the touch in a typical airbrush session, it may be time to get a better compressor.

If you airbrush without air conditioning, avoid 100% humidity days as Don suggested.

Running the compressor for a couple of minutes before painting to clear out any moisture accumulated in the hose is always a good idea, particularly if you're using only one, or no, trap.

With regard to those pistol-grip traps, I've read that they aren't the most effective solution, although I couldn't speak to that from personal experience. Elsewhere I've read that a desiccant dryer system is best, since a setup like that actually dries the air rather than just trapping the moisture. These can run into the hundreds of $$, and unless you're painting for money or otherwise working on very valuable projects, this seems like overkill big time. A couple of traps is really all you need if you're just a hobbyist.

I have only a combination regulator / moisture separator at the compressor.  What I do at the end of each session is to open the drain on the moisture separator and let the compressor run for a few minutes.  This clears out the separator and the compressor.

Don

Hi guys,

sorry for the late reply. been away from a computer lately.

anyways, to you all, thanks for the tips! never felt so welcome here.

to batai37:  thanks for the link on where to find the inline moisture trap and hose. i will try to ask my cousin in the US to get it for me.

to keilau: thanks for the welcome! Unfortunately, i am not from the US or in the USA for that matter(im from the Philippines) I will try to get that pressure regulator and moisture trap combo for now and will have to work on that. And yeah most of the regulators/moisture trap are from China, so that quality is a bit suspect. Hope i wont by a lemon(fingers crossed). Also thanks for the suggestion about keeping the airconditioner on. Another whammy for me is i am living in a tropical climate. so the humidity here is quite high, and it is the dry season as of the moment.

i will try to keep bondoman's suggestion in mind.

to Don Stauffer and Don Wheeler: i will give my airbrush a rest if it is really too humid. thanks for the tip!

Jasper,

I spent a couple weeks in Subic Bay once.  I think you are going to need that in line moisture separator. 

Don

jasper_yee

to keilau: thanks for the welcome! Unfortunately, i am not from the US or in the USA for that matter(im from the Philippines) I will try to get that pressure regulator and moisture trap combo for now and will have to work on that. And yeah most of the regulators/moisture trap are from China, so that quality is a bit suspect. Hope i wont by a lemon(fingers crossed). Also thanks for the suggestion about keeping the airconditioner on. Another whammy for me is i am living in a tropical climate. so the humidity here is quite high, and it is the dry season as of the moment.

The Sparmax in your neigboring Taiwan makes good quality airbrush equipments, including regulator-moisture traps. They are a manufacturer and do not sell retail directly. You can contact them for dealer info in Philippines.

If you cannot find a local shop with good stock of airbrush equipments, you may consider ordering from Hong Kong. HobbyEase, Lucky Model and YY&Van Model come to mind. These are model shops, but all carry a good selection of airbrush and tools. You can also check out WhoseDepot that can also ship from Hong Kong. I hope that you will not have to pay huge import tax.

Let us know when you find a solution to your problem.

Don Wheeler

Jasper,

I spent a couple weeks in Subic Bay once.  I think you are going to need that in line moisture separator. 

Don

 

Hi Don,

REally? was this recently of was it when the time when the American naval base in subic was still there?

yeah, i agree with you that i will really need that in ine moisture separator.

Jasper

jasper_yee

 

 

Hi Don,

REally? was this recently of was it when the time when the American naval base in subic was still there?

yeah, i agree with you that i will really need that in ine moisture separator.

Jasper

This was in 1966.  Olongapo was off limits while I was there, so I couldn't leave the base.  Thank God for the base swimming pool and San Miguel beer.

Don

hi keilau,

thanks for the tip on the sparmax brand. will try to ask the hobby shops in manila.

i went to hongkong last year and my biggest regret was i didnt make time to search for hobby shops located there. i was able to find a branch of UML(albeit, accidentally. was trying to look up at the bus stop sign, then turned to face the road and found the shop), but had a hard time communicating with the store help. anyways, i might be able to go back maybe this year so will be searching for the other hobby shops in HK before going.

This was in 1966.  Olongapo was off limits while I was there, so I couldn't leave the base.  Thank God for the base swimming pool and San Miguel beer.

Don

[/quote]

So, you were already here when Subic Naval base was being developed as the biggest Naval base outside continental america. The base looks different now, and its been turned to a free port. the baseball? field to the left of the main gate is still there though.

This was in 1966.  Olongapo was off limits while I was there, so I couldn't leave the base.  Thank God for the base swimming pool and San Miguel beer.

Don

[/quote]

So, you were already here when Subic Naval base was being developed as the biggest Naval base outside continental america. The base looks different now, and its been turned to a free port. the baseball? field to the left of the main gate is still there though.