Question on Air Compressor Oil in fresh water lines

[myropa]

Coming up on my first winter with my new AS which probably live in the driveway this winter.

I have a 32 gallon air compressor to support my collector car and motorcycle habit. Just the thing to blow out the plumbing before winter.

But should I be concerned about oil contamination from the compressor of the fresh water plumbing? I know that painting car finishes with this compressor is a bad idea because of the slight amount of oil that will get into the spray pattern.

What do people use for the air source?

[Alumaholic]

Owch! I wish you had asked this question before I winterized yesterday. Can't wait to see the responses to your question.

[Royce]

Hadn't thought about that. We usually carry bottled water refilled at the house for drinking. I use my oil lubed Roll-Air for a blow out and have not noticed any issues. You could just put an oil trap in line just before the hook up to the Airstream. I used an old Speed-Air compressor to paint a '55' Chevy several years ago. Placed a disposable oil and water trap just before the spray gun and had no issues.

[myropa]

Royce;
Had not thought of disposable trap. Great idea. Thanks.

Alumaholic;
I don't think there will be much oil in there. But I am a SCUBA diver and oil in that compressor is very bad news. YIKES

[dznf0g]

There's not a lot, unless you have installed an automatic tool oiler. If you're concerned (I'm not unless the compressor is worn out) you could install an oil separater available at any body shop supplier or compressor store.

[Crusty]

Depends on the compressor type. The newer oil-less types have permanently sealed bearings and plastic piston seals so they don't put any oil into the lines. We routinely use them to feed hookah diving rigs for cleaning sailboat hulls before a race. The older oiled types do put oil into the air. Any air tool that you use will spit oil out and could contaminate your air hose, especially if they're oiled by squirting some lube oil into the air inlet fitting.

BTW, there are locations in an AS's plumbing that compressed air won't clear the water out of and your pipes could still get damaged. It's better to flush the whole system with a proper flush/prep fluid.

[myropa]

This is an older compressor with nice oiling for tools. Looks like a disposable seporator at the business end of the hose is the way to go.

And thanks Crusty. I am planning this to be phase one of winterizing. Phase two is pink cocktail for the plumbing.

[Alumaholic]

Originally Posted by myropa

This is an older compressor with nice oiling for tools. Looks like a disposable seporator at the business end of the hose is the way to go.

Hmmm. Disposable separator. Yep. I've got one of those. Perhaps next winter.