Canned Air Pressure

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

A lot of people start airbrushing using canned gas as a propellant. It’s common knowledge that the pressure from these cans varies with temperature. I decided to see if I could put some numbers on it.

Here is the pressure from a can of Badger Propel at a room temperature of 79 degrees F.

Notice the pressure is about 41 psi.

Here is the pressure when the can is chilled to 32 degrees F.

The pressure has dropped to about 13 psi. So, if you have to use canned propellant, keep it warm, but not too warm. Instructions on the can say not to exceed 120 degrees F. Like any spray can or container of compressed gas, it will get cold as it is used. So, putting it in a bucket of warm water is probably a good idea.

But, in my humble opinion, anyone wanting to airbrush should invest in a regulated source of air first.

I am adding this info to my website.

Don

2

Great information for the newbies to have!

3

Hey Don,

It’s also worth noting that it doesn’t take too many cans of propellant to add up to the cost of a compressor. [:)]

4

It is hard to keep it warm, though. Once I had this great idea- I’d put a can of water on my bench and put the propel can in the water while spraying. That worked for very short jobs.

However, the first time I did a long job, I found the pressure dropping again. First couple of times, I took can out of water and shook it (don’t really know if that helped or not). Finally, when it got really bad, and I went to pick up the can, the whole pot and water (now ice) came with it. There was at least a pint- closer to a quart of water in the pan. Reminded me that expanding pressurized gas is the basis for refrigeration and air conditioning :slight_smile:

After that session I decided to buy a compressor.

5

I lucked out last Christmas and got a $150 Home Depot gift card. In between Christmas and New Years’ they had a sale and I was able to pick up a compressor with a 3 1/2 gallon tank for about $5 after killing that gift card.

I was one of those who would burn through on of the big cans of propellant on a single model. [bnghead]

6

Buy a $60 airbrush compressor at Harbor Freight like I did.

Before, I was afraid to practice and clean correctly, because I did not wanted to use up this expensive canned air.

Also, I am finding myself spraying at 10 - 15 psi will much better results then the higher psi from a can. I can then raise the psi to 30 and do a good cleaning.