Oil removal from compressed air?

[Budge]

Hi
I have a belt-driven, oil lubricated compressor that I want to use for spray painting. Not heavy or frequent use. A car chassis and garage door in the first instance but if i get bold, i may want to have a go at car body panels at some point. I'm looking for an affordable solution to remove as much of the oil particulates from the compressed air as is realistic. I've read a few threads here but haven't really answered my own question.

There is mention of 'filter regulators' but the ones I've Googled seem to be aimed at air tools: they remove air but have an oil lubricator - so add oil? Can anyone recommend an affordable and practical way for a hobbyist to remove oil from compressed air for spray painting purposes please?

 

[Domdom]

I use a 3 stage regulator/filter. Then a PCL dropout.
After that a Tee off for spraying.
The other end of the Tee goes to a lubricator and then another take off for air tools.
Use separate air hoses at all times, so one for spraying only and never connect it after the lubricator. Any hose that’s ever had oil in it should only be used for other air tools.

 

[Budge]

Thanks for your reply. can you describe your 3 stage regulator/ filter a bit more please? is it a chain of separately bought components or one cover gizmo? Any brands or models would be helpful.

Your point about the air hose is one I overlooked! i will add another hose to my shopping list!

 

[Domdom]

Mine are Camozzi modular units. Camozzi.co.uk
3/4” hose from compressor goes to the first stage which is a regulator with a 5 micron filter.
Then a 1/2” straight connection to the second stage which is a 1 micron filter.
Then. 1/2” straight Connection to the PCL dropout Which came from Amazon. Part number PDO300PA
On the output side of the dropout is a 1/2” Tee piece where I take off air for spraying. The other part of the Tee goes to a generic lubricator from eBay.
Output of the lubricator goes to a hose reel.
My spraying hose is the 3/8” rubber in red. Makes it easy to coil up and store, and the red colour identifies it from all the others.

 

[Budge]

Well I asked for detail! That's great. Thanks for taking the time. I can look these bits up and visualise your set up.

 

[carbon]

Three stage filters are suitable for breathing air use if required and will definitely remove oil particles from compressed air.

Three stage filter

 

[carbon]

If you only need to make sure there are no dust or oil particles getting to your spraygun then this is a cheaper option

Inline air filter

 

[Budge]

Thank you. I'm thinking just spray gun at the moment, so that DeVilbiss inline filter may well do me for the occasional spraying I expect to do.

 

[carbon]

It depends on what paint you intend on using, if it’s 2k with isocyanates then you need the three stage filter and an air fed mask before you start. See the thread here
2K Safety

 

[Budge]

Wise words. As I'm new to this, and working at home in the garage/ garden, i'm avoiding use of 2K.

 

[premmington]

I use a 3 stage regulator/filter. Then a PCL dropout.
After that a Tee off for spraying.
The other end of the Tee goes to a lubricator and then another take off for air tools.
Use separate air hoses at all times, so one for spraying only and never connect it after the lubricator. Any hose that’s ever had oil in it should only be used for other air tools.

I got a PCL dropout - DO600A £300 well spent.

What is the life cycle of these fitlers?

Mine must be 5/6yrs old now.

 

[julianf]

I have a "metal werks" (or works, I can't remember) set which are the same as the devilbis ones, just with a different name on the front. They were around £150 pre global economic meltdown.

Stage 1 is standard water and stage 2 and 3 are coalescing (the oil removal bit) and carbon.


I actually have a duplicate of the stage 1 filter (water trap and regulator) upstream also (at a higher pressure) as I don't want to run standard air tools through the three stage.

After the three stage, a line goes to a belt pack that had a straight through for the gun, but an additional carbon pack before the air fed mask.


You can buy the coalescing filters by themselves if that's all you want.

 

[Budge]

Thank you all. I have some more Googling to do.....

 

[Budge]

Hi. By way of a bit of closure, I bought a three stage breathing air filter:

https://www.solenoid-valve.world/sh...vXOge-BLQnz6VCQ1Spk2956MGWukHrWwaAhzYEALw_wcB

(1/2" inlets - not that it really matters) and will also use a DeVilbiss disposable inline filter at the spray gun end. I plan to dedicate one of my compressor outlet to the spray gun and the other to air tools.

 

[brightspark]

Hi. By way of a bit of closure, I bought a three stage breathing air filter:



(1/2" inlets - not that it really matters) and will also use a DeVilbiss disposable inline filter at the spray gun end. I plan to dedicate one of my compressor outlet to the spray gun and the other to air tools.

no need for oilers on airtools messing the pipes up.just a few drops of oil in the airtool before and after use

 

[mtt.tr]

Mine are Camozzi modular units. Camozzi.co.uk
3/4” hose from compressor goes to the first stage which is a regulator with a 5 micron filter.
Then a 1/2” straight connection to the second stage which is a 1 micron filter.
Then. 1/2” straight Connection to the PCL dropout Which came from Amazon. Part number PDO300PA
On the output side of the dropout is a 1/2” Tee piece where I take off air for spraying. The other part of the Tee goes to a generic lubricator from eBay.
Output of the lubricator goes to a hose reel.
My spraying hose is the 3/8” rubber in red. Makes it easy to coil up and store, and the red colour identifies it from all the others.

Very good stuff camozzi

 

[AVI_8]

no need for oilers on airtools messing the pipes up.just a few drops of oil in the airtool before and after use

That’s what I do as well

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I have a single stage filter from these guys too...I was looking at their 3 stage as I was planning on getting an air fed mask at some point. I really like the single stage they sold me so will stick with them....their prices aren't . When I looked I think they have filter indicators....and they sell packs of replacement filters too which is handy.

@Budge ....beat me to it....great minds!

Solenoid valve world - 3 stage breathing air filter regulator with coalescing and carbon filters

Triple breathing air filter regulator, EN12021 comprises 5 micron pre-filter and regulator then 0.01μ coalescing filter and finally an activated charcoal filter for technically pure breathing air down to 0.003ppm, with filter status guages. Port sizes 1/4, 3/8 + 1/2 BSP. Supplied boxed with 2x...

www.solenoid-valve.world

 

[premmington]

no need for oilers on airtools messing the pipes up.just a few drops of oil in the airtool before and after use

Air line oilers - most are atomised - for air control gear not air tools.

There are two differing types of auto air oilers.

To be honest (if you can remember) oiling at the air tool intake with an oil can and the proper oil is the best plan.

 

[brightspark]

i have a cp air die grinder was used- on a production line for a few years and someone relieved them of it and gave it to me ive used it for 40 years and the bearings are still perfect on it . just a few drops and its fine same as a da sander i have