Air filter, coalescer and regulator

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 17, 2022 7:34 pm
Hi all!

Collecting supplies to spray urethane base coat. Got an iwata LPH-400 in-hand and a 4hp air compressor that looks to just barely keep up.

I’m really struggling with finding quality air regulator, water knock-out (coalescing filter). Reviews on Amazon are all over the place. Any manufacturer and PN recommendations? I have 1/4” NPT hardware.

I found an iwata flow control valve that looks to be a quality product that can attach to the gun itself, but does not appear to be a true pressure regulator.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ast-8130b

Appreciate your input!

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 17, 2022 8:37 pm
That Iwata regulator is the real thing and they're pretty good.........except that the dial face is made from plastic that is not immune to even light cleaning with thinners. So it gets overspray on it and you can't clean it off - just clouds up and you can do nothing about it. Ridiculous from a manufacturer that should know better and has the temerity to charge full tote odds.

These are the ones that I buy, usually 10 at a time and they last forever.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/324838778550?hash=item4ba1e666b6:g:mQsAAOSwKWxhb5Wc&frcectupt=true
A fraction of the price, glass lens, psi and bar markings and quite accurate. Same thing should be available where you are. They come in left and right hand variations, so make sure you get the one(s) you need.

Reviews on Amazon are done by the sellers. Did you expect honesty?

Lots of good recommendations for filter/regulator systems here. Just do a search. For example:
https://www.autobody101.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=29179&p=219519&hilit=air+filter#p219519
Chris



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PostPosted: Sat Jun 18, 2022 11:10 am
Thank you for the response!

Nah… Amazon is a ****-show but it’s difficult to source parts you need quickly when you have not developed a network of credible suppliers yet. I end up buying most of my stuff from SummitRacing just so I know it isn’t straight fraud.

Unfortunately I can’t get those specific regulators locally, but I do have an idea on the iwata unit. I could mount it on both ends of my air hose and check what the dynamic pressure-drop is at my spray pressure. Then just leave it at the compressor-end of the hose and compensate the setting for the pressure drop (more pressure). My hose is only 20’ so isn’t too inconvenient for me to avoid over-spray if it’s at the compressor-end.

From the other posts, it looks like pneumaticPlus is a decent brand. Yeah can work with that :)

Thanks again!

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PostPosted: Sat Jun 18, 2022 11:07 pm
Ahajmano wrote:Unfortunately I can’t get those specific regulators locally,


Chicago:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/275280484138?hash=item4017fed72a:g:Tr0AAOSwUaRij6np

Florida
https://www.ebay.com/itm/125313359761?hash=item1d2d421f91:g:f9QAAOSwiC9ifqok

New York
https://www.ebay.com/itm/165454136133?hash=item2685d5c345:g:tNYAAOSw3~diaLNw

The whole list, US located suppliers only:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=spray+gun+air+regulator&_sacat=0&LH_PrefLoc=1&_sop=15

Check before you buy that they have glass faces on the gauges.

Alternately, let me know how many you want and I'll buy locally and post to you, for less than you want to pay for those Iwata gauges. :wink:
Chris



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PostPosted: Mon Jun 20, 2022 3:53 pm
Thank you! I couldn’t find the exact model you shared but I did find several of the others you provided. Hey thanks so much for sharing these!

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PostPosted: Mon Jun 20, 2022 11:14 pm
Happy to help.
Chris

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PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2022 12:16 pm
Check out Spray Guns Direct, they are out of the UK but I get their deliveries to Northern California in about four days after ordering. They are great folks to deal with.

I have a few of the ANI regulators which are now up to about $22.40 each. Those Iwatas have a pretty large brand name tax on them.

https://spraygunsdirect.co.uk/product/ani-spraygun-pressure-gauge-regulator/
Sent by the random thoughts from the voices in my head...



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PostPosted: Fri Jun 24, 2022 4:36 am
I ended up getting the Iwata brand regulator from Summit Racing, just to be sure it wasn’t a knock-off. The gauge glass is now… well, glass! Tried scratching it with a knife, no dice. They just have heard your reviews and made the upgrade (hehe).

In hindsight, the other regulators may have been fine and I may have paid a brand name tax. Being a complete newbie, I just wanted to be sure any problems I experience shortly won’t be from inaccurate equipment.

Thank you again for all your help folks!

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 24, 2022 5:06 am
Interesting. Thanks for mentioning it.

I have a genuine Iwata regulator, bought from my paint distributor who also sells Anest-Iwata. Definitely plastic lens, which is why I switched to the Chinese ones.

But you may be right. I whinge about it nearly every time I go in there and drool all over the WS400 that I can't justify the expense of. Maybe they passed it on.

The true test is to lightly soak a cloth in thinners, just the lacquer stuff will do, and wipe the lens with it. If it comes up clear then you're all good. If not.......well it is definitely genuine. :goodjob:
Chris



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PostPosted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 2:42 pm
Iwata gun flow/pressure regulator. After spraying my first base+clear this past weekend, I cleaned the gun with acetone and the glass gauge did indeed wipe clean. The one I bought from Summit was $15 more than what is listed on Amazon so maybe Summit has a newer product version from the manufacturer. Reading the amazon reviews, they did complain about the plastic lense.
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