r/Tools • u/WoodenYouKnowIt • 1d ago

White Stuff in Compressor Manifold

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Gallery image

I have a Ridgid 2 tank air compressor and was having problems with pressure. I took apart the regulator manifold and found this white stuff in it. What is it, and can it be cleaned?

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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11

u/agreasybutt 1d ago

Maybe mineral build up from air moisture? That's a guess tho. It would clean up with vinegar or watered down muriatic acid.

3

u/WoodenYouKnowIt 1d ago

Yeah, it could be that. Some of the comments say corrosion, and it could be that, but I already replaced it, so I might as well try something like vinegar and if it doesn’t work, nothing lost. I was just hoping to be able to clean it up and use it as a spare if the replacement has issues.

9

u/bigcoffeeguy50 1d ago

Is it aluminum? Looks like aluminum corrosion.

1

u/WoodenYouKnowIt 1d ago

It is aluminum, it could be corrosion. It’s also in the steel and brass fittings, but I suppose it could have blown into them.

3

u/bigcoffeeguy50 1d ago

Are you getting a lot of water in your compressor?

1

u/WoodenYouKnowIt 1d ago

No, I’m not.

5

u/Appropriate-Gas-1014 1d ago

That's corrosion.

3

u/2019Fgcvbn 1d ago

Total dissolved solids from the moisture dropping out of the air after its been compressed. When was the last time you opened the tank drain?

3

u/WoodenYouKnowIt 1d ago

I open it often. I’m a weekend warrior, so I open the drains after each use.

3

u/Gazza1158 1d ago

It is water vapour interacting with Aluminium

1

u/steelartd 19h ago

Cast aluminum corrodes like that. Air valves on tractor trailer rigs nearly always look like this.