Why care if there is water in your compressed air?
The process of compressing air generates free water, and increases air borne water vapour. If you are not sure about why this occurs, take a look at the article on this site entitled “Why does water run out my compressed air line?”.
So what is the problem with a little – or perhaps a lot 🙂 – of water coming down the compressed air line along with the compressed air?
A simple answer may be that it depends on what you are using the compressed air for.
The more complex answer follows.
For most applications, water blowing out the end of the air line with the compressed air is a problem.
If you are an air-brush painter, a micro-globule of water will land on your artwork, and prevent the paint from adhering to the surface. You end up with a fish-eye, or a lot of them, depending on how much water your compressor is generating.
Further, compressing air generates higher than normal water vapour content in the compressed air. When this air reaches a cool surface, the water vapour condenses into free water, making even more fish-eyes.
Air brush painters...