Painting hardlines (compressed air)

[pnut]

Painting hardlines (compressed air) - and general hardline talk

Anyone here paint them, and how did it work out? I want them to blend in, not stand out.

I've decided as part of my garage re-do this winter to build a box around my compressor, which means it needs to be in the corner (and then I need to run hard lines). I will paint the box the same as the walls (stripes, colors).

Here is my planned layout (sorry for the mess, prepping to paint).

Can someone point me to the good post about whether or not to use copper or black pipe and why? Cheaper better. Thanks.

 

[Torque1st]

There are many threads on the subject of pipe material here.

Whether you use iron pipe or copper the pipes are used to condense moisture out of the air stream. Coating them with paint will stop some of the heat transfer but going one size larger on the pipe should eliminate any problem in that area. Keep the lines out where the air can flow around them. Do not bury them inside walls.

Compressors MUST be well ventilated to keep the receiver cool to condense moisture. Heat is also the enemy of the pump and motor.

 

[pnut]

There are many threads on the subject of pipe material here.

Whether you use iron pipe or copper the pipes are used to condense moisture out of the air stream. Coating them with paint will stop some of the heat transfer but going one size larger on the pipe should eliminate any problem in that area. Keep the lines out where the air can flow around them. Do not bury them inside walls.

Compressors MUST be well ventilated to keep the receiver cool to condense moisture. Heat is also the enemy of the pump and motor.

I plan to use a large fan on the box, with an intake and outlet. Have not yet planned out the details, I have all winter to plan it and do it

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Anyone here paint them, and how did it work out? I want them to blend in, not stand out.

I've decided as part of my garage re-do this winter to build a box around my compressor, which means it needs to be in the corner (and then I need to run hard lines). I will paint the box the same as the walls (stripes, colors).

Here is my planned layout (sorry for the mess, prepping to paint).

Can someone point me to the good post about whether or not to use copper or black pipe and why? Cheaper better. Thanks.

If you're looking to save money you could look into using PVC for your compressed air lines. Some use, some say not to...

 

[Jack Olsen]

I plan to use a large fan on the box, with an intake and outlet. Have not yet planned out the details, I have all winter to plan it and do it

It's hard to tell from a picture -- and I don't know what compressor you're planning on installing -- but to my eye you've picked out a spot that's maybe too small? How many inches can you come out before you're blocking that doorway?

And have you thought about putting the lines inside the wall?

 

[Number22]

I think copper lines look nice exposed. Especially in a garage. If you're going to paint them iron would be better absorbing the heat, if not, copper is better at dissipating it...

If you're looking to save money you could look into using PVC for your compressed air lines. Some use, some say not to...

No, no, no, no, and no! Ask anybody who makes or sells PVC pipe and they will tell you absolutely positively not! You might as well use 2 liter pop bottles for an air tank.

The major problem with PVC is that it is UV sensative. It will ROT hanging on the walls in your garage! After a few years, all you gotta do is accidently whack it in the wrong place and it will explode in your face. Guaranteed!

Additionally, PVC won't allow your air to cool very well.

 

[jake00]

If you're looking to save money you could look into using PVC for your compressed air lines. Some use, some say not to...

I've never seen anyone endorse pvc lines for air

 

[Cebby]

It's hard to tell from a picture -- and I don't know what compressor you're planning on installing -- but to my eye you've picked out a spot that's maybe too small? How many inches can you come out before you're blocking that doorway?

And have you thought about putting the lines inside the wall?

I agree - the space looks to small for most. What compressor? Sure looks like a 60 gal tank won't make it...

Now if you are using a smaller oiless, maybe you can put it in a box in your neighbors garage to maintain your sanity... (will be loud even with a box)

 

[Torque1st]

The lines need to be exposed to cool the air.

Do NOT use PVC pipe for compressed air. It is not the UV it is the material itself. It is brittle, not ductile like steel or copper. It explodes throwing sharp splinters of material everywhere with great force. The manufacturers do not even allow the use of compressed air to test for leaks. Check ANY manufacturer's website and you will find warnings not to use PVC with compressed gasses.

 

[scooby074]

As others have said... NO regular PVC. (although there are some specific and somewhat rare cases where rated pvc can be used, like if its encased, its not worth the risk)

If you want easy to install, theyre are nylon alternatives that are air rated.

If you use black pipe (which is what i recommend) they you can paint them with whatever colour paint you want. Id say that the reduction in thermal transfer would be negligible for your short run .

If you box in your compressor, be careful of the heat. Perhaps sticking it in a back room, or even outside would be better. A larger "box" (room) around the compressor would help it stay cool.

 

[kwb]

Air coming out of the tank is generally already fairly cool -- all this talk of getting more cooling out of the pipes is overblown. If your air is still warm after the tank then you are probably using more than your system is really capable of running. If your air needs to be cooler then you should do an expansion chamber prior to the tank.

To get dryer air it is also generally better to get air from outside than inside unless your shop is climate (temp and humidity) controlled.

Personally I like my compressor sitting out back of my shop in a lean-to.

 

[pnut]

It's hard to tell from a picture -- and I don't know what compressor you're planning on installing -- but to my eye you've picked out a spot that's maybe too small? How many inches can you come out before you're blocking that doorway?

And have you thought about putting the lines inside the wall?

Jack, I have the same compressor I think you have, 60 gal upright. I think you are right it will be too tight with the box there, it's only 24" wall to door opening.

Good idea to run the lines inside the walls. I may do that, we'll see how it goes trying to get through / beside the insulation. The vertical run is very short, it's can't be that hard.

As for PVC - that is a big NO, I do not want the risk.

Here is my alternative location. I would run a separator/regulator immediately off the compressor (3/8"), then run 3/4 copper in the wall into the ceiling, then to the middle of the garage to a hose reel. QUESTION: do I really need a water drain after a 15 foot copper run and where would I put it? I have no idea where I would do any drop since I am ONLY doing up, then over.

 

[djjsr]

Use copper. Clean it up with steel wool and scotchbrite then spray it with a clear satin. Looks great.

 

[KenS]

Re: Painting hardlines (compressed air) - and general hardline talk

I've decided as part of my garage re-do this winter to build a box around my compressor...

pnut,

OT, but could you post a close-up of your welder cart? The design looks interesting.

Thanks.

 

[pnut]

Re: Painting hardlines (compressed air) - and general hardline talk

pnut,

OT, but could you post a close-up of your welder cart? The design looks interesting.

Thanks.

No problem! I just posted a separate thread in the "General Garage Discussion":
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=680421#post680421

 

[KenS]

Re: Painting hardlines (compressed air) - and general hardline talk

No problem! I just posted a separate thread in the "General Garage Discussion":
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=680421#post680421

pnut,

Thanks for the response.

 

[mrb]

If you're looking to save money you could look into using PVC for your compressed air lines. Some use, some say not to...

why would you ever suggest something so dangerous and idiotic?

 

[tcianci]

If you are going to run up the wall and over to the hose reel, start your run with a T. Set the branch horizontal and use the branch for your connection to the compressor. Put 6 inch piece of tubing and a ball valve drain on the bottom of the T. Run the other outlet of the T up the wall and over to your hose reel but slightly pitched backward toward the compressor. Any condensation (don't expect much, this stuff about the lines cooling the air and allowing the moisture to condense out of it is way over-rated) will end up in the drip leg at the bottom of the T.

FWIW: I ran about 25 feet of 1/2 inch copper over to my bead blasting cabinet, not pitched, I like the way it looked nice and parallel to the ceiling but in the drop down to the cabinet, I did put a T with the cabinet connected to the branch and then the drip leg and valve on the bottom of the T. My logic was uphill or down hill, level or pitched all I had to do was open this valve and anything in the line would blow out... never gotten a drop out of it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you want to paint it, you could paint it orange. If I remember correctly, that's the color used in factories for compressed air.

 

[smotalchaos]

Do not use PVC. If you want something easy to install, and plastic, go to your nearest heavy truck parts store, and get synflex. It's what's used for compressed air on trucks. It's flexible, however, and comes in rolls.

 

[benjamming]

Use a 1/2" regulator & not the 3/8" with your 3/4" lines.