So, one of my painters spilled about a quart of dark brown latex paint on carpet today. The only shop vac I had on the job site was my CT26, so we had to use it. I pulled the bag and the HEPA filter out before sucking up the water we were pouring on the spill. I did not have the blue foam filter with me. Did I do permant damage to the CT26 today? I thought it might have sounded different after the first dump(filled and dumped it 3 times). Suction seemed the same. Got all the paint up in the end.
CT26 and water
- Thread starter hortyhoo
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AlexThePalex
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Well, if you use it without filter, the fluids can go straight into the motor, which is probably not the best thing to do. I understand you had to make do with the situation, it would have been wiser to leave the filter in place instead of removing it. A new filter is less expensive than a repair for the vac.
But since latex paint is not so fluid as water, the problem might be limited. A good cleaning of the insides seems in order though.
But since latex paint is not so fluid as water, the problem might be limited. A good cleaning of the insides seems in order though.
Brice Burrell
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In N. America all CT vacs (except the CT36 auto clean)come with the HEPA filter, if they get soaked that can ruin the filter. In a pinch I used an old sponge and it worked will so I kept it instead of buying the Festool wet filter.
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Seth moved this over to the Ask Festool section, I guess to get my input. Thanks, Seth. [unsure] Ha.
According to the manual, the CT should have the wet filter (sponge) installed for wet operations. I understand you were in a pinch. I would only be speculating as to what, if any, damage might have been done. But, at this point, what's done is done. So, I would just continue using it. If it stops running or shows signs of damage, contact our service department to coordinate repair.
In the future, always keep a filter installed. As was already pointed out, the filter and bag are the only things between what goes in the hose and what goes through the turbine.
Shane
According to the manual, the CT should have the wet filter (sponge) installed for wet operations. I understand you were in a pinch. I would only be speculating as to what, if any, damage might have been done. But, at this point, what's done is done. So, I would just continue using it. If it stops running or shows signs of damage, contact our service department to coordinate repair.
In the future, always keep a filter installed. As was already pointed out, the filter and bag are the only things between what goes in the hose and what goes through the turbine.
Shane
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wow said:
Technically, yes. But, the "high performance" filter in the CT 36 AutoClean is 99.9% of particles at 1 micron. HEPA is 0.3 micron. So, you're really splitting hairs, literally. [smile]
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It was my feeble attempt to have my buddy Brice's back. [big grin]
Brice Burrell
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wow said:
You got me.... [embarassed]
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Brice Burrell said:
All in good fun, Brice.
I have SOOOoooo much to learn about the Festool line that I feel proud when I actually know something like this. Please be gentle with me the next time I post an inaccurate comment...even if it's as trivial a technicality as this was. I want to be respected (like you!) so I strive to be accurate. But I've got a long way to go to get anywhere close to the level of knowledge some people here have...
[wink]