I suspect, like many colleagues on NGF, I own one of the Chinese made (under various badges) AS186 compressor/tank kits.

Also, like many here, I have learnt to airbrush models as part of the hobby and along the way have picked up many tips re good practice eg the importance of cleanliness in the airbrush.

However, being self taught in this skill and lacking the wider knowledge/insight of professional users, I have encountered a problem almost entirely, it seems, of my own making...................

I have been a frequent user (ie several times weekly) of the spray kit until maybe 12mths ago (when I retired). 

A few days ago I wanted to do some spraying, so set things up and switched on.  The pressure began to build as usual until coming to a very abrupt and very noisy end, which was pretty chilling to say the least

No leaks immediately visible, but on closer examination I found a tiny pin hole on the tank underside - where it had failed.

Having read up on the matter since, I have learned a lot and probably many would say I should have known it before I started!!

But for what it's worth, here's where I'm guilty of poor maintenance and ignorance:

compressors are in effect a kind of primary moisture trap and the visible bottle trap mounted externally is almost a secondary device.  This means that moisture accumulates in the tank as it is used.  Some rusting is inevitable but if left unattended (my problem) it will build up to the point where the tank fails.  A pin hole may look minute but probably signifies growing weakness throughout the structure.

what action should I have taken?  well, I've since learned that it would be more than sensible to remove the tank drain plug after each session (after the pressure has been reduced of course).

I'm probably going to hear from everyone else on the Forum "well of course, did you not know that" and hang my head in shame in advance

If there are any other mere mortals out there with an AS186 mounted on a 3l tank, you are undoing the drain plug on the base of the tank after use, aren't you?

Hope this is of some help to someone!

Best regards

Adrian

Thanks very much for that advice, Adrian

Air reservoir tanks on HGVs are drained regularly for this very reason, even anti-rust additives don't help much


Paul

I only use a very small kit and spray when dry (I actually have a very small dehumidifier I stick in the room to cheat) but your case is a very valid lessons learned.  I personally use a moisture trap on the brush feed -maybe I need to dig around now on the comp.

...I've fitted compressors from 10cfm for ad-hoc use up to 1,500cfm which can run 24/7.  You have to remember just how much air they suck-in so any moisture at all is concentrated.  When I was spraying cars it was amazing to see just how often the auto drain on the new compressor bottle spat out water.

Of course, at work you would have every compressor and air receiver insurance inspected every 12 months.  What did the guy do?  Check the relief valve, the receiver for signs of corrosion and check any moisture traps were working properly.  Do we do that ourselves, or are we surprised when something blows?  It's easy to forget.

Rich