Description
Why Purchase An AC03 Airbrush Compressor?
You will have spent many hours and hours looking for an airbrush compressor that is right for your needs.
One that is reliable, value for money, looks good and performs to the highest standards with trouble free use.
Don't worry, we went through the same frustration spending almost six years researching manufacturers and testing compressors to ensure that we now have
our own BARTSHARP brand of airbrush compressors.
Our range of airbrush compressors has been manufactured by the same manufacturer that some of the biggest names in airbrushing rely on; our prices will not be the same as theirs!
The new BARTSHARP Airbrush compressors offer outstanding performance, superior build quality and a quieter operating noise level.
ALL of the Airbrush compressors now come fitted with and internal electric fan to help reduce overheating.
How do we know that we have now got it right...?
Quite simply, because we didn't get it right to start off with!
We originally stocked the most commonly available AS186 airbrush compressor which most other retailers still supply today.
We found that these compressors were very loud during use, had a low build quality and were also very unreliable.
The grey paint also only contributed to an overall finish which made us think that it looked quite cheap.
We, unlike almost all other suppliers, hand check and test every compressor before it is shipped so that you are assured of receiving a quality item.
It's fair to say that we ended up with a large number of the previous 186 style compressors, that we refused to ship to our customers, because of quality and performance issues.
Our range of BARTSHARP Airbrush Compressors are incredibly reliable, quieter, built from high quality material and perform to a higher level.
At the heart of every airbrush compressor is an electric motor which drives a piston to compress air. Our AC01, AC02 & AC03 airbrush compressors have a 1/6th horse power motor
which is incredibly powerful and constantly cooled by an inbuilt electric fan. This new feature will greatly reduce incidents of overheating which is the Achilles of most small airbrush compressors.
Our new design compressors have jet black gloss paint with many of the additional parts also being jet black; this gives it a rather understated stealth look which also looks solid and incredibly professional.
We know that you would expect to pay just a few pounds more to be assured that your compressor has been sourced from a top manufacturer
and is produced to a higher standard than similarly priced compressors.
You have undoubtedly spent a great deal of time trawling through all of the online listings and wondering which compressor to choose.
You could spend many more hours looking or simply choose our brand with the knowledge
that we have the best compressors available in their price range, all with a built in electric cooling fan, and a customer service that everyone trusts and values.
Once you have purchased your compressor we will continue to support you by sending you, on request, video links showing you how to overcome issues common to those new to airbrushing.
These include how to set your air pressure, paint ratio mixes, servicing your airbrush etc.
BARTSHARP Airbrush® also has a huge range of airbrushes and of all the spare parts you could ever need including: needles and nozzles through to replacement teflon packing bushes and replacement o ring sets.
This Airbrush Compressor is an excellent choice for the following applications:
Illustration / Fine Art or Photo Retouching
Cake Decoration
Custom Automotive Motorcycle Graphics / Helmet / Tank Artwork T-Shirt / Textiles / Nails & Cosmetics / Make-up Application
Miniature Models / Wargaming
RC Planes / Cars /Helicopters
Painting of Fishing Lures
Using:
Watercolours, Acrylics, Inks & Dyes
*Automotive Urethanes, Lacquers, Enamels & Edible Food Dyes
(*Automotive Thinners and other similar paints may affect the small o rings - replacement o rings are readily available in our store. Other sellers may not highlight this point. The only way to avoid this situation is to purchase an airbrush designed for use with custom automotive paints, however, these generally cost in excess of £180. Replacement o ring sets cost £3.99 including UK postage)
Your Airbrush Compressor is protected by our 30 day no quibble return policy and a 1 Year Warranty*
Please don't forget to purchase cleaning products to go with your airbrush compressor as this will maintain its life whilst also providing you with optimum performance.
We recommend that you consider purchasing:
Please use "Contact Us" if you would like any further information or advice....we want to make sure that you get
"The Right Products, First Time"
The AC03 airbrush compressor has two power modes:
The first is Auto Start, Auto Stop. Maximum air pressure 57PSI.
Once the pressure of the air, within the air tank, reaches a preset limit (set through the air pressure regulator), the airbrush compressor will automatically stop pumping.
The unit will automatically start pumping when it senses the air pressure, in the air tank, has dropping below a certain level.

The second switch position places the airbrush compressor in to a constant pumping mode. Maximum air pressure 86PSI.
This feature enables the user to achieve higher levels of air pressure for short durations which may be required by certain types of paint (candy / pearl / metallic / top coat lacquer) for correct atomisation.
A higher air pressure may also be required during the spraying of t-shirts, or other fabrics, to embed the medium in to the material.
It has a powerful 1/6th horsepower electric motor which easily beats the performance of the most commonly available AS186 airbrush compressor with it's inbuilt electric cooling fan.
The airbrush compressor produces 23 – 25 litres of air per minute via a single oil-free piston which ensures that your paint is not contaminated with oils and greases found in other style compressors.
The airbrush compressor has a 3 litre air tank proving an air supply with zero pulse.
It is also fitted with an air pressure regulator / water trap which is fully adjustable and has a display dial showing the pressure of the air being delivered to the airbrush.
Water vapour and heat are by products of placing air through a mechanical process such as compression. The pressure regulator also acts as a water trap to prevent your paint becoming contaminated.
The air pressure regulator has a 1/8BSP male air outlet.
1/8BSP is approximately 9.35mm in diameter. BSP denotes the type and pitch of thread and stands for British Standard Pipe.
1/8BSP is the most common size and type of thread used with airbrushes and associated products, including; air hoses, quick disconnect couplers and air hose manifolds.
Knowing how to set the air pressure regulator correctly can be a little confusing if you have never done it before.
Please watch the below video which provides a step by step guide.
John (verified owner) –
Purchased the AC03 and its brill, gave it a run and sound is so quiet than I thought it would be.
Now just to purchase a cleaning kit and I will make a start on my first Project – Spitfire Mk IXc, 1:32.
Cheers to Alison for all the communication and updates.
Quick order to delivery, Monday recieved Wednesday.
Packaged well and safe all in great condition.
johnsauve (verified owner) –
Brilliant service, Alsion kept me upto date on new stock and when ready to advise so we could order
Receievd after ordering monday delivery wednesday
All in good condition, packaged really well with plenty of protection
Will be looking to order airbrush clean kit soon
Thank you
Andrew Bouchard (verified owner) –
Excellent service, same day response to emails (thank you!), very well packed. I run a commercial musical instrument repair shop and needed to replace my ailing compressor mid-job – my order arrived within one day, with free postage. Very impressed with the quality of the Bartsharp AC03 – consistent pressure delivery, easy to adjust, seems well-built. Even though the power is only 1/6hp, it seems to cope with well with differing spray pressures, without being too noisy. The 3-litre tank is maybe on the small size, but at this price and performance, I have no complaints! Definitely recommend this company!
dario.dan85 (verified owner) –
The air compressor arrived well packed and zero damages.
I did not try it yet, but from email Alison told that is quite 53db.
Once again, wonderful customer service and ultra speedy delivery 😀
Thanks,
Dario
Mark Kingwell (verified owner) –
I was very pleased with my purchase of a AC03 compressor. It arrived freepost next day. Quite quiet and dosnt seem to run as long charging the tank as my last one. Looks nice as much as a compressor can look. I put a little plumers tape one all hose conections and quick release fittings for piece of mind. Dodnt check for leaks without it but probably didnt need it.
Highly recomend..