Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hey all. So my compressor is acting up (or it's an airbrush problem) but what is happening is this:

Pressure dropping much faster
Not reaching anything much above 40psi
Paint coming out splattery

It's an A186 compressor if that makes any difference?

Should I be emptying the water collection bit or something? No idea about that stuff...

Most likely the o-ring around the piston is cracked / broken.

The slow leak due to that explains why you get some pressure but nowhere near as much as rated.

Would need to depressurize the tank and take the top manifold off and see. Some of these you need to replace the piston head since the seal may not be removable. I would check with the manufacturer to verify.

Bugger. That sounds really complicated!

By the sound of it, not the kind of job you are prepared to do.

If you know a handy mechanic, I'd say now is the time to make friends.

The simplest (and most desirable) answer would be a leak somewhere.

40psi is way more than you need. Does the compressor still shut off when it hits the max PSI? Listen for a hiss somewhere.

Set the regulator to 20 PSI, and press the airbrush trigger (with no paint in it). Watch the regulator, which will show you in real time the pressure being supplied. Does it pulse, or does it maintain a steady 20 PSI? Do the pistons sound healthy, like it did when it was running better?

If it still pulses clean out the airbrush, from the hose connector to the needle especially. Test with another airbrush if possible.

If you exclude the airbrush, and identify that it's the compressor but you can't determine where, you're probably best taking it somewhere to fix.