CO2 Tanks

JMorgan

I have discovered that you can airbrush in high humidity with a CO2 Tank without any problems with condensation in the line of the airhose.

Yep, that's the main reason I switched to CO2 several years ago.  It's quiet and there's no moisture to be concerned with either.   I like my CO2, and currently lease two 20 pound bottles. Once you go "gas", you'll never go back.

Gary

However, with high volatility solvents, if the humidity is too high the cooling from the thinner evaporating can lower temp of paint below dewpoint and a rough whitish fog can develop on the surface.  This is called blushing. It is most prevalent with lacquer or a high percentage alcohol thinner.

Where can I find more info about blushing?

Here ya go:

http://www.woodcentral.com/russ/finish11.shtml

I'm fascinated by this co2 thing. Tell me more.,how long do they last,cost,etc

The CO2 tanks last about a year of active modeling, they cost about $300, are the size of a scuba tank, and require a regulator that was hard to find for airbrushing. I got my regulator from West Coast something or other. You can find the tanks from gas supply stores for beverage industries and welding.

I lease two tanks for around $48 each per year.  I've looked into buying my own tanks and it seems like they were about $200 to go that route. Refills for the 20 pound bottles (approx. 24" tall) are $13 each at the welding supply store.  I bought my regulator there as well; they had them in stock. 

Financially, compressors might have an edge but the quietness and the moisture-free CO2 sells it for me.  When I used a compressor, I had problems with humidity even with using a moisture trap.  I remember waiting days until the humidity dropped enough to spray.  No more.  Turn on the regulator and start spraying, damn the humidity.  I leased my second bottle so I would have a reserve supply should I run out in a painting session. 

I have considered getting a another compressor though.  It would be handy to use when "practicing" with the AB, or trying new spraying ideas.  That way I could conserve my CO2 for the actual paint job.  It's just a thought however; I really don't have room at this point so I suspect that's a idea that won't come to fruition.  To those on the fence, I say give C02 a try, you will be happy you did I suspect.

Gary

JMorgan

Where can I find more info about blushing?

Boy, I don't know.  Learned about this when I was building flying models, and the model magazines were often warning about this.  The dope we used then was very similar to a fast drying lacquer.  You might try a google search on "model airplane dope" and blushing. 

Don, the dope you used on your flying models is the same dope used on 1 to 1 scale raqwings.  Comes in 2 flavors, Nitrate or Butyrate. Butyrate is the most commonly used because Nitrate dopes are very flammable (almost explosive)

I use the C02 tank off my miller mig welder when I'm not fix in' the John Deere or putting something back on the Hoyt-Clagwell.  I have shot all kinds of paint that way since about '88 I guess.  It is quiet, not near as noisy as the compressor that sounds like a Cummins on start up.