A desiccant dryer that's stopped drying usually doesn't need to be thrown out. Most of what wears out, the desiccant, the elements and the indicator, can be replaced. The question is where to get the parts, and whether the rebuild can make the unit better than it was.
RTi (Reading Technologies) makes crossover kits built to fit other brands' paint air dryers and filters. Several include parts that, by RTi's account, the original manufacturer's kits leave out. Some add a whole extra filtration stage. As an authorized RTi dealer, we carry them all.
RTi and Spray Booth Shop are not affiliated with DeVilbiss, Cam or SATA. Brand names and part numbers are used only to identify which equipment each kit fits.
Rebuild or upgrade?
- Rebuild kits restore a dryer to working condition: fresh desiccant, new elements and a new moisture indicator.
- Upgrade kits include everything in the rebuild kit plus an RTi 60 SCFM ½" coalescing filter rated to 0.01 micron. RTi designs them to add a final stage that catches oil aerosol and fine particulate the original setup may let through.
If the dryer has been doing its job and you're just due for service, rebuild. If you've been fighting fisheyes or the dryer was marginal to begin with, upgrade.
The kits and what they fit
| RTi kit | What's in it | Fits / replaces |
|---|---|---|
| RTI-D500-RK rebuild kit | 10 lb activated alumina, pre-filter element, coalescing element, sight glass with moisture indicator paper | Replaces DeVilbiss/Cam DAD-550-RK and DAD-600-1 (130030) kits |
| RTI-T10-RK rebuild kit | 10 lb activated alumina, coalescing element, sight glass with indicator paper | Replaces DeVilbiss/Cam 130508 |
| RT-676-RK rebuild kit | 5 lb activated alumina, coalescing element, desiccant final filter element, sight glass with indicator paper | Rebuilds 676-type dryers |
| RT30-KIT element kit | RT30-1 (1st stage), RT30-2 (0.01 micron 2nd stage), NB-30 refillable desiccant cartridge | Replaces DeVilbiss/Cam CT-30 elements |
| RTI-D500-UG / T10-UG / 676-UG upgrade kits | Everything in the matching rebuild kit plus an RTi 60 SCFM ½" 0.01-micron coalescing filter | Upgrades the same dryers with an extra RTi stage |
| RTi-D500-UG2 upgrade | RTi DE401-M04 dryer plus HAF-6 and HAF-28 pre-filter elements | Upgrades DeVilbiss D500 systems using the existing filters and regulators |
| RTi-SAF-0 / SAF-1 / SAF-2 elements | Sintered 1st stage, fine 2nd stage (0.01 micron) and activated charcoal 3rd stage | Replaces SATA elements 22160, 81810 and 85373 |
RTi's rebuild kits use dust-resistant activated alumina desiccant beads, and RTi says they include parts the original manufacturer's kits don't, at no extra charge. The sight glass with moisture indicator paper is the main example: it shows at a glance when the desiccant is spent.
How to tell your dryer needs a rebuild
- The moisture indicator has changed color and stays that way after the desiccant has had time to dry.
- Water or haze at the gun, or slow flash with waterborne paint.
- Desiccant dust downstream. Old beads break down and can migrate into the line.
- It's been years. Desiccant doesn't last forever; RTi rates its own Perfect Air® desiccant at 3–5 years.
When to replace instead
If the housings are cracked or corroded, the dryer is undersized for your current gun count, or you're moving to waterborne and need consistent -40°F air, a new point-of-use dryer can be the better spend. RTi publishes a full cross-reference that maps older DeVilbiss/Cam, Sharpe and SATA units to the closest current RTi model. For example, it maps the DeVilbiss CT30Plus to the RTi EH4000 Eliminator® II, and the Sharpe 6770 to the RTi PERF-25 Perfect Air®. Our guide to choosing a paint air dryer for waterborne walks through the options.
Rebuild tips
- Isolate and fully depressurize the dryer before opening anything.
- Pour out all of the old desiccant and clean the tower before refilling. Don't top up old beads.
- Replace every element in the kit, not just the one that looks worst.
- Hand-tighten spin-on elements. Don't overtighten them.
- Restore air slowly, check for leaks and watch the new indicator for the first few days.
- Write the date on the unit so the next rebuild isn't a guess.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use RTi parts in a DeVilbiss dryer?
Yes. RTi makes kits that replace specific DeVilbiss/Cam parts, including the DAD-550-RK and DAD-600-1 (130030) rebuild kits and the CT-30 filter elements. Check the kit's fit list against your unit's model or part number before ordering.
What's the difference between an RTi rebuild kit and an upgrade kit?
A rebuild kit restores the dryer with new desiccant, elements and a moisture indicator. An upgrade kit includes everything in the rebuild kit plus an RTi 60 SCFM ½" coalescing filter rated to 0.01 micron, which adds an extra filtration stage.
Does RTi make replacement elements for SATA filters?
Yes. RTi's SAF-0, SAF-1 and SAF-2 change-out elements cross to SATA elements 22160, 81810 and 85373: a sintered first stage, a fine 0.01-micron second stage and an activated charcoal third stage.
How often should a desiccant paint air dryer be rebuilt?
Rebuild when the moisture indicator shows the desiccant is spent and doesn't recover, or when water or haze appears at the gun. Desiccant breaks down over time; RTi rates its own Perfect Air® desiccant at 3 to 5 years.
Not sure which kit fits?
Send us the brand, model and any part numbers from your dryer or filter, a photo helps, and we'll match it to the right RTi rebuild or upgrade kit. RTi's full competitor cross-reference is in their literature at rti-pbe.com.
Bring Your Dryer Back to Spec
RTi rebuild, upgrade and element kits for DeVilbiss/Cam and SATA equipment, from an authorized dealer. RTi orders over $1,200 ship free.
See RTi kits and elements →
Send us your dryer's model number →
Element change schedule →