Beginner Airbrusher Needs Help

[urumomo]

That bent tip will definitely do it .
Sounds like the latest , instant splattering was due to exactly that .

The air is obviously heated when compressed so it can hold much more moisture until it travels down the air hose , cooling down and then the water starts condensing out -- then those tiny droplets coalesce into larger and larger droplets that get carried into the brush . Often in waves .
So it takes a bit of time before liquid water arrives at the brush .

Good idea to set the filter assembly some feet of hose away from the compressor discharge to allow some cooling and condensation that's easier for the filters to trap .
The filters can be next to the compressor , just loop the hose between the 2 as needed .

 

[VegasAWACER13]

That bent tip will definitely do it .
Sounds like the latest , instant splattering was due to exactly that .

The air is obviously heated when compressed so it can hold much more moisture until it travels down the air hose , cooling down and then the water starts condensing out -- then those tiny droplets coalesce into larger and larger droplets that get carried into the brush . Often in waves .
So it takes a bit of time before liquid water arrives at the brush .

Good idea to set the filter assembly some feet of hose away from the compressor discharge to allow some cooling and condensation that's easier for the filters to trap .
The filters can be next to the compressor , just loop the hose between the 2 as needed .

How do you mean by looping the hose between the 2?

The filter you recommended seems fairly complex. Looks like it has its own regulator? How does that work? My compressor just has a push button set up to select the psi. Just want to make sure I understand what I'm getting into before I pull the trigger on it. What does the NPT mean?

Thanks!

 

[urumomo]

NPT means tapered thread -- use teflon tape , the threads develop a seal via interference , the tape reduces friction to allow further insertion for a solid seal . ( National Pipe Tapered )

There are filters like that without the regulator , example :
https://www.amazon.com/PneumaticPlu...matic&qid=1754255892&sprefix=,aps,419&sr=8-24

But that one I shared earlier is a great price for what it is and the regulator can be set to just allow whatever the compressor is set at to pass thru , or the compressor can be set to max output and the filter regulator can be used to control what's going to the airbrush .

I mentioned the looping of the hose just meaning that if you put 3 feet of hose , for example , between the compressor and the filters the filters don't have to be physically 3 feet away from the compressor , the hose can be configured however necessary to mount the filters near or farther away from the air source .
You could coil up 10 feet of hose between the 2 if you wanted .

 

[urumomo]

Here's a setup that includes desiccant filters also .
Should be good to go forever with this : https://www.amazon.com/Particulate-...umatic+des,aps,214&sr=8-29&xpid=EhH23iSQ5cctc

 

[urumomo]

You can surf Amazon and explore your options -- or whichever vendor you want to use .
Just ask if you have any questions about a filter setup or peripheral components .

 

[urumomo]

and BTW , Welcome Aboard !
I usually lead with that ... better late than never .

 

[VegasAWACER13]

Thank you so much! You're s

and BTW , Welcome Aboard !
I usually lead with that ... better late than never .

Thanks so much! You're a lifesaver.

One more question. I'll probably go with that first option you recommended. Will I need any additional accessories besides another air hose?

I really appreciate all the help!

 

[urumomo]

Your AB , supply hose and compressor use 1/8" BSP threaded fittings ( British Standard Pipe )

On the compressor side of that filter assembly you'll need ,

one of these to fit a length of 1/8" hose ,
https://www.amazon.com/SUNGATOR-2-P...2554&sprefix=1/4+npt+barb,aps,183&sr=8-5&th=1

Then on the compressor end of that hose you'll need one of these to connect to the compressor ,
https://www.amazon.com/VIAIR-90001-...&sprefix=1/8+bsp+female+to+npt,aps,125&sr=8-3
Then to go from that to the remaining hose barb in that 2 pack ,
you'll need one of these couplings ,
https://www.amazon.com/Fitting-SUNG...4323921&sprefix=1/4+npt+,aps,205&sr=8-16&th=1

On the output side of the filters to connect your existing airbrush hose you'll need to :
Screw in one of the double-ended ( male / male ) fittings that comes with that set ,
then screw this adapter onto that to give you the 1/8" BSP male thread needed to attach the existing air hose ,
https://www.amazon.com/CDQBWKJGFJ-P...1/4+npt+to+1/8+bsp&qid=1754323039&sr=8-3&th=1

1/8" air hose example :
Needs to be 1/8" inside diameter , tubing is spec'd by outside diameter , this is 3/16 tubing ( pipe is spec'd by ID )
This stuff indicates working pressure up to 60 psi , you'll be always below 1/2 of that -- and it's dirt cheap so if it starts swelling you can always upgrade to stronger tubing if that occurs .
https://www.amazon.com/Eoiips-Tubin...&sprefix=1/8+ID+air+hose,aps,147&sr=8-18&th=1

You'll need 2 hose clamps that will accommodate 3/16 tubing ( 1/4" ) , which you might already have on hand ? , and can definitely get local , or add them to the Amazon order .

 

[BarleyBop]

No AB advice from me, but welcome to the addict!
Be sure to post your builds, and your paint jobs!

 

[VegasAWACER13]

Your AB , supply hose and compressor use 1/8" BSP threaded fittings ( British Standard Pipe )

On the compressor side of that filter assembly you'll need…

You'll need 2 hose clamps that will accommodate 3/16 tubing ( 1/4" ) , which you might already have on hand ? , and can definitely get local , or add them to the Amazon order .

Okay, good deal. Prepping the Amazon order. Is all this fairly intuitive to assemble?

Or would it just be easier/cheaper to get a whole new compressor?

 

[urumomo]

get a whole new compressor?

dude

 

[urumomo]

it's just screwing a couple of fittings in .

 

[VegasAWACER13]

it's just screwing a couple of fittings in .

Okay then. Just checking.


Thanks for taking the time to help an airbrushing rookie.

 

[urumomo]

happy to help .
that's the most cost effective route with your current setup .
If you were to get a tanked compressor you'd still want a moisture trap in the line anyways .

 

[stevieb54]

I am following this post, sounds like I may have the sputtering problem also. So am I understanding this right, it may be a big help to have a portable tank and install the water filter on that would eliminate water vs having the filter on outlet of the compressor head?

 

[urumomo]

Any and all additional volume available for the air to cool down and the moisture to drop out is a plus , whether that's additional hose or a tank .
Just make sure the collected moisture can be removed via an inline water separator and/or tank drain .

I spray from an 11 gallon tank that I charge up with a 2 gallon compressor .
The tank charged up to 130 psi will generally last for many days and recharging it takes only a few minutes .
I have a bunch of filters between the compressor and 11 gallon tank and between the tank and airbrush .
All the water is removed before it gets to the tank though , so the additional filters between the 11 gal tank and the AB , both inertial and desiccant type ,are kinda overkill .
I love overkill .

 

[stevieb54]

My thoughts exactly. I thought the filter attached at the head outlet was kind of useless as far as non-water intrusion, and the small separator/filter was overwhelmed from the get-go. Thanks

 

[urumomo]

The relative humidity in the room is normally 45-55% so probably 99% of the water gets trapped in the compressor tank .
That's a great little compressor -- super quiet . Of course , I only run it briefly to charge everything up so I never have to hear a compressor running when airbrushing .
I take the compressor out the front door occasionally and open the drain ,, unless it's completely discharged , then I just do it right there at the bench .

 

[VegasAWACER13]

happy to help .
that's the most cost effective route with your current setup .
If you were to get a tanked compressor you'd still want a moisture trap in the line anyways .

So all the parts got delivered. No instructions with the filter (wasn't surprised). I feel like there's too many parts. I'm assuming the general setup is airbrush hose from compressor to filter, clear plastic hose to connect the two sections of the filter (with the hose clamps?), and then airbrush hose from filter assembly to airbrush. With the various adapters to connect the hoses and tape around the brass connectors? Am I missing anything?

I'm not sure what these parts are that were packed with the filter.

 

[urumomo]

Just ignore those 2 .
those are male / female quick connects .

I lined out the exact order of the installation of fittings and the 3/16 tubing above . in that Amazon order .

the clear tubing connects the compressor to the filter .
The filter / regulator should have direction of airflow marks on it , an arrow . Should be on all 3 elements . maybe not , but at least one of them ,, or an " in " and " out " .

your existing AB hose connects to the outlet of the filter via the fittings spec'd out above .

In that component list above where I said , " Then on the compressor end of that hose .. " , the hose there is the clear tubing .