"Air Conditioning for your tools" The secret to clean, dry compressed-air

No, your air tools don't really care how cool it is in your shop. Any pneumatic tool whether it's an impact ratchet or a high end HVLP spray gun, will not function correctly or provide the desired results without the right air supply.

Spray guns, especially those that we use to produce great finishes, can be finicky beasts indeed. They're like nervous race horses, very susceptible to distractions. Problems can be caused by an inconsistent or contaminated air supply. No matter how sophisticated the gun, the paint or the painter, poor quality air equals a substandard job.

 The life of other air tools, like impact wrenches, can be markedly reduced by air laden with water, particulate matter, or other contaminants. The clatter of an air hammer tells you that there's lots of serious metal-to-metal contact. It's no wonder your tool has a hole labeled "oil daily". Introduce a steady diet of condensed water and your expensive tool is on its way to the dumpster. Take a high-speed device like a cut off tool, and the problem of lubrication problems is magnified.

 On a more positive note, you can prevent the well-known problems we've mentioned in a simple and cost-effective way. The Motor Guard Corporation offers several easily installed modules to cure any air supply trouble spot you may have.

M-45 Kit (M-30 filter, 2 #723 elements & hardware)

For years, the Motor Guard name has been well known for clever tools related to body shop business. These include those great D-12 Inline Spray Gun Filters, the "Stripe Eliminator", "Run Blockers" (a life saver), Stud Welders, and the M-30 and M-60 Air Filters you see everywhere.

D-12-1 In-line spray gun filter (cut-away view)

The best part is that the system is modular and adaptable to your present set up. What does that mean?

 Assuming you've got a fair to middlin air supply system in place, you probably don't want to retire the whole setup for a completely new system. Why discard a perfectly serviceable regulator, for instance? You get the idea. In order to decide what needs to be replaced, or expanded upon, look at the symptoms your present setup is producing, and install equipment that fixes what's wrong.

 Here's a description of the devices you can choose from along with the problems they solve:
 
 

The Ambush model M-300 Water and Particulate Filter Cool name, huh? This filter gets everything (heavy liquids and solids) down to 5 microns. A visible ball float lets you know when it's time to drain the unit. The unit uses a sintered bronze element made similar to built-in carburetor fuel filters. 160 CFM is maintained at 175 PSI.

The Sub-Micronic M-60 Coalescing Filter The M-60 gets serious with it's .01 micron discrimination. Were talking clean air, here. The non-degrading, disposable filter contains nothing to contaminate any system. In choosing this module, make sure you're backed up with a unit like the Ambush just before the M-60, to trap the really coarse stuff. This unit maintains 100 CFM at 80 PSI.

The Sahara model M-400 Desiccant Module The presence of a good desiccant system separates the pros from the DNFâs in the refinishing business. Air enters the desiccant chamber through a 70 micron element that evenly distributes the air through the desiccant. The 2-quart chamber removes water vapor producing a -40F pressure dew point. When the dark blue desiccant granules gradually turn pink, it's time to change to fresh desiccant. The silica gel desiccant can be reclaimed repeatedly for use in the unit by heating at 275F in a shallow pan. Heat removes the moisture, turning the silica to it's original blue color. To avoid delays, we've found it's smart to keep a spare supply of desiccant on hand to use while the used material is being reclaimed.

The Controller model M-200 Regulator Module As its name implies, the M-200 controls and minimizes pressure drops in the system. The self-bleeding unit handles 215 CFM at 250PSI and insures accurate pressure control from 0 to 125PSI. The Controller utilizes the familiar T-handle adjustor coupled with a rugged reinforced diaphragm.

The Integrator model M-500 Module The finishing touch to the system. The package includes the ball valve, nipples, bushings, brackets and, of course, a D-12 Disposable Spray Gun Filter to trap any contamination that may occur in the hose.

Since you're reading an autobody technical feature, you're probably concerned with air supply for spray guns and other pneumatic tools.

Keep this general rule in mind: Your painting operations will require all of the above equipment to function reliably. Power tools alone can get along without the desiccant system. If you already have some equivalent serviceable units on line, keep them there. Replace missing or defective units first. The Motor Guard modular system was designed for two purposes: to get your system working reliably, and to allow you to replace or enhance, only the components you need. Don't waste money buying pre-built systems that contain parts you already have.

One last thought (no extra charge). If you've been nursing and tinkering with a hopelessly contaminated loser system, take a weekend to rip the whole mess out and replace it with Motor Guard modules to create The System Supreme, which includes everything in the listing above. You'll be working with clean, dry air on Monday.