They had a little pancake compressor at the last cab shop I worked in. I have the same one. There's seemed much heavier than mine, so one day I opened the drain and drained out at least half the tank of rustwater.

Every time I'm done with mine, I release the last 20psi or so through the drain, and leave it open until the next use.



That reminds me, it's also a good idea to have a water separator between the compressor and the hose, especially if you are doing any spraying.

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1984 300TD

Thread hijack:

How does one go about removing moisture from the tank?

I have a Husky 60-gal unit rated at 125 psi (wifey bought it for a 10-year wedding anniversary gift ). It's been pretty much light-duty use for the last six or seven years, (occasional impact wrench, but mostly filling car and bike tires, and pool toy and soccer ball inflator ).

Is tank rust a real problem...and since it's been six or more years, have I already screwed up the tank?

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Should be a drain valve on the bottom.

I usually drain it from a full charge.

You might have to do it several times.

Harbor sells an auto drain, never used it though.

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KLK, MCSE

1990 500SL

I was always taught to respect my elders.
I don't have to respect too many people anymore.

Too much! Oh man, I bet that was some aromatic water, eh?

Anybody ever use the new screw type compressors? They're pretty steep, $4 to $5 K I think, but they're supposed to be the item: quiet and powerful.

Someday, maybe.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Yeah, we had one at the cabinet shop for spraying, running a 12" belt sander, and an edge bander. They are quiet, but quiet is relative. Pretty sweet though. Built in water separators, and you could run the belt sander and the edge bander at the same time no problem.

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1984 300TD

I built my own compressors from parts a friend and I purchased at an auction. Thanks for reminding me to drain the water.

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'86 300E 5 speed
'71 Triumph TR6
'46 Cushman Scooter
'41 Ford 9N tractor

60 gallon is a good size to do pretty much any kind of amateur body work. I had a 25 gallon 220v 5 hp belt driven sandborn that I sold to a mechanic friend and he runs it in his shop for impact wrenches and air tools and has no problems.

I now have two CH 60 gallon compressors that work great. I paid around $300 for one that needed nothing and $80 for the other one needed a new motor and pressure switch so it ended up at right around $250.

As long as you drain the water and keep the pump lubricated, it should last you a while.

A buddy who rebuilds SU carbs bought a 3hp Kobalt compressor back in 2007. It was a 60 gallon model that he picked up for $299 new at Lowes. He uses it to run two blast cabinets. I know that he had to replace the motor after about 18 months.

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With best regards

Al