We have previously covered the reasons why your air compressor might not be working and which air compressor would be most suitable for you, and an important component of both of these includes the importance of oil.
Using the right oil is essential to keep your air compressor running smoothly.
An air compressor is a long-term investment, and as such, it has to be taken care of properly to ensure it lasts as long as it is meant to.
This means replacing parts of the air compressor every once in a while, cleaning off the rust on the metal bits of the air compressor, and, most importantly, supplying it with the right oil.
Oil is supposed to be used to lubricate the air compressor for easy functioning,
But this does not mean you can use just any oil on the air compressor, like the vegetable oil you have in your kitchen.
Very specific types of oil are required for the proper lubrication of your air compressor.
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Why do I need oil for an air compressor?
There are different types of air compressors, one type is an oil-lubricated compressor and the other type is an oil-free compressor.
Generally, as the name suggests, oil-free compressors do not typically require an external agent for lubrication.
This is because of its centrifugal properties that keep its parts from making too much friction, and this helps avoid rusting and skidding among the air compressor’s parts.
These are usually self-sufficient and work fine, but they do not last as long as oil-lubricated compressors.
This is also because of the centrifugal properties.
As for oil-lubricated compressors, you need oil to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible between your air compressor.
This is to make sure that nothing is amiss and that skidding does not cause the air compressor to cease up and stop working.
Oil is especially important during cold winters, mostly because air compressors are placed outside and are subject to continuous dew and icy wind.
What properties should an air compressor oil have?
Choosing the right oil is very important because not all oils are compatible with the air compressor.
Some multi-viscosity oils can cause the compressor to froth which ultimately does more harm than good.
This is the reason most motor oils are not the best option for air compressors, so try investing in oil with these properties:
- Synthetic oil is mostly recommended due to the presence of petroleum components.
- It should be non-detergent to avoid foaming and frothing.
- It must not be too flammable.
- Should not create unwanted byproducts in humid temperatures.
Usually, your air compressor manufacturing company will advise you which oil is the best for their air compressor in the manual, so make sure to check for that too.
Which oil is the best for your air compressor?
In the end, the oil that complies with the properties mentioned above is synthetic non-detergent oil.
This can help your air compressor run smoothly for years by working through the winter and working efficiently without using up too much oil every time you use it.
Their consistency does not change through different environmental conditions,
Which can be extremely beneficial to you in the long run as it works in a one-tracked way. Usually, a 20W-30W oil should be good enough for your air compressor.
Conclusion
Making sure you invest in the right things to make your air compressor last as long as possible is vital if you want to get your money’s worth.
An air compressor is no cheap investment, so make sure you use it to its fullest and take care of it so it can come of use to you when you need its help.
