releasing water from a compressor tank

I have three compressors, all with tanks, all varying sizes/uses. ALL get the drain opened when i'm done for the day, it stays open until i'm ready to use it again. with the airbrushing compressor i'll often fire it up with the drain open, just to blow out any residue moisture.
 
I have three compressors, all with tanks, all varying sizes/uses. ALL get the drain opened when i'm done for the day, it stays open until i'm ready to use it again. with the airbrushing compressor i'll often fire it up with the drain open, just to blow out any residue moisture.
thanks for the tips. This will be handy. We have high humidity this days and I guess I get bunch of water in my air tank.
 
I get some rust out when I drain mine, is there a sealant of some type you can use on the inside of the tank? Like you use on Motorcycle gas tanks?
 
I get some rust out when I drain mine, is there a sealant of some type you can use on the inside of the tank? Like you use on Motorcycle gas tanks?
I suspect that is from water making corrosion inside of the tank. Bottom of the tank actually. Water should be on the bottom. I seen some crazy video on youtube. Let me find it...
here it is:

I wonder how much water is needed and how old compressor that this can happen...

Jacky, if this video is not suitable for forum, delete it pls. I am not sure...

edit: my drain is now open until the morning :)
 
Last edited:
If I am not mistaken, someone pls correct me, I know there's plenty of guys here which know stuff, when you checking air tank with a hammer or something if sound of the tank on the bottom is different that means it's thinner cause of water corrosion right?
 
ok, now I'm terrified...
I usually drain my compressor once a month.
aaaaa.jpg

It's 15 years old. This is what spit out a couple of weeks ago.

sssssss.jpg

I've read that you drain it after every use and now I'm afraid to turn it on.
So, as husky asked, is there a way to check it out? Or should I start considering a new one?
 
ok, now I'm terrified...
I usually drain my compressor once a month.
View attachment 55455

It's 15 years old. This is what spit out a couple of weeks ago.

View attachment 55456

I've read that you drain it after every use and now I'm afraid to turn it on.
So, as husky asked, is there a way to check it out? Or should I start considering a new one?
First of all I didn't want to scare anybody. But I do think awareness about equipment we use is good. That's why I didn't know if it's good idea to post those videos. But I decided rather to talk about issues which can come down the road, then not knowing about it and risk something.

As far I know it there are 2 things you can do, but that's what I just ''heard'' from people. One is to put ''sonda'' inside and it can see what is hapening in the air tank. The second is to take a small hammer and start sound testing bottom versus rest of the tank. If you hear different sound on bottom, that should mean that there's less material from air tank cause of water corrosion.
* THAT'S WHAT I HEARD FROM PEOPLE*

Still waiting to see what airbrush community and many people who knows stuff here will say about that.

had a little delay with my new compressor, needed money for other equipment so I am stucked with my old compressor for 2 months at least, but whatever, those infos can help me and maybe some other in the future.

here's one video for you Dimitris so you have a good laugh :)
 
The simple answer is to fit an auto-drain to your new compressor... then the condensate never builds up in the first place. It won't stop it rusting but it will extend the life of the air recevier/tank.

Also, you should be more concerned about this if you have a larger tank - a large tank equal large amount of stored energy (bigger bang!).

To provide answer Dimitris' question - if you are concerned then in the short-term get a longer hose and put the compressor somewhere where it can't do too much damage (i.e. further away from you or anyone else). It doesn't look such a big compressor, so even putting it in another room/outside the door/behind the bookcase etc would probably help in the (unlikley) event of failure.

Anyway, if you have really emptied it every month, then that is a lot better than some people who *never* empty out the water! (some people either don't know or don't care...)
 
Consern yes, not scared! :thumbsup:
I saw JackEb's post mensioning draining every use and thought: ''well, it could be worst''! :D
But a little suspicious about the color-rust? in the water and how much is affected..
That's what got my attention about if and how we can check them......
 
Consern yes, not scared! :thumbsup:
I saw JackEb's post mensioning draining every use and thought: ''well, it could be worst''! :D
But a little suspicious about the color-rust? in the water and how much is affected..
That's what got my attention about if and how we can check them......
you the first owner of the compressor?
 
I drain my compressor at the end of each day I use it and clean my brush too. I tip it up slightly to get as much condensate out as possible. Even though it is brand new (now 5mths old), I do get a slightly yellowy water colour come out. After seeing many youtube vids and other helpful hints I came to the conclusion that emptying it regularly will extend its life so much more.
 
Just yellow tequilla unfiltered!
My compressor is old, but it drains only pure water. No tequilla for me... But I must admit, when I started this thread my definition of a lot of water is totaly different then yours about draining. I was draining water on a paper tissue, you are using a bucket :D
 
My compressor is old, but it drains only pure water. No tequilla for me... But I must admit, when I started this thread my definition of a lot of water is totaly different then yours about draining. I was draining water on a paper tissue, you are using a bucket :D

:laugh::laugh::laugh:
costantly a lot of water. Humidity here is from 60 to 90% all year long. I'm 2 km from the sea. And from late April we haven't dropped below 33C. At night humidity hits jack-pot, at 2 after midnight all car's windows are wet. Pretty sure my compressor is rusted inside.
 
Consern yes, not scared! :thumbsup:
I saw JackEb's post mensioning draining every use and thought: ''well, it could be worst''! :D
But a little suspicious about the color-rust? in the water and how much is affected..
That's what got my attention about if and how we can check them......
I only do it so often because I can, not for any scientific reason.
You'll always get water in the tank, just a normal byproduct of compressing air, BUT logic suggests that the dryer the tank is the slower it will rust.
If a compressor seems to be always running/topping up then you should probably look at buying a larger capacity compressor as you're overworking the one you have.

I've recently purchase one with Aluminium tanks (2 x 11 litre) so rusting wont be an issue but the drain is still opened once i've finished for the day.
 
Aluminium tanks? Not seen one of them, sounds interesting, have you got a link? No rust as such but it can still corrode. Mind you, I suspect the inside of an aluminium air-receiver tank might well be anodised which would help a lot.
 
Back
Top