Tool Review: IPA Air Comb

Sept. 7, 2012

Pinpoints shop air to clean out air conditioner condensers and radiators, providing a 90-degree, multi-port air flow.

The Innovative Products of America Air Comb Filter and Radiator Cleaner completely cleans cylindrical and round type air filters, radiators and condensers, and can be used for other hard-to-reach applications. The Air Comb provides a focused high-pressure output and long-reach, 90-degree, multi-port air flow. The Air Comb Filter and Radiator Cleaner (Nos. 8050-8053) is available in 12”, 24”, 36” and 48” lengths.

The review

Tom Karagianis, Owner of Tarkus Automotive in Milwaukee, WI, said the IPA Air Comb allowed him to clean out condensers and radiators more easily, and gave him better access to pinpoint what he was cleaning.

"(The Air Comb) is longer so you can get at the lower part of the air conditioner condensers and part of radiators, without taking them all out."

Although Tom replaces many of the air filters that come through his shop, he thought the Air Comb would be particularly useful for truck fleets, when the air filter doesn't always need to be replaced, but may need to be cleaned.

"Its more of a heavy duty application, where circular air filters are used, for the condensers and the radiators."

He also suggested that the Air Comb would be great for shops working in dusty conditions, such as agricultural applications.

"In a dusty atmosphere, where you don’t want to replace your circular air filters all the time. A lot of tractors use those round air filters."

Prior to having this tool, Tom said he would use a hose to clean out radiators or A/C condensers. He advised that with the Air Comb, shops can utilize shop air without the high pressure of a blow gun.

"And you don’t really want to take a pressure washer to it, because it’s going to wreck (the filter or condenser).

"The high pressure air, blowing sideways, works much better than a (water) hose. Especially because it’s longer," says Tom. "You don’t really have a long-reach hose."

Tom recognized that the tool was new to market, and liked the innovativeness of the product.

"It’s something that you need, but it’s something that you’re not going to use every day."

About the Author

Erica Schueller | Media Relations Manager | Navistar

Erica Schueller is the Media Relations Manager for Navistar.

Before joining Navistar, Schueller served as Editorial Director of the Endeavor Commercial Vehicle Group. The commercial vehicle group includes the following brands: American Trucker, Bulk Transporter, Fleet Maintenance, FleetOwner, Refrigerated Transporter, and Trailer/Body Builders brands.

An award-winning journalist, Schueller has reported and written about the vehicle maintenance and repair industry her entire career. She has received accolades for her reporting and editing in the commercial and automotive vehicle fields by the Truck Writers of North America (TWNA), the International Automotive Media Competition (IAMC), the Folio: Eddie & Ozzie Awards and the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) Azbee Awards.

Schueller has received recognition among her publishing industry peers as a recipient of the 2014 Folio Top Women in Media Rising Stars award, acknowledging her accomplishments of digital content management and assistance with improving the print and digital products in the Vehicle Repair Group. She was also named one Women in Trucking’s 2018 Top Women in Transportation to Watch.

She is an active member of a number of industry groups, including the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), the Auto Care Association's Young Auto Care Networking Group, GenNext, and Women in Trucking.

In December 2018, Schueller graduated at the top of her class from the Waukesha County Technical College's 10-week professional truck driving program, earning her Class A commercial driver's license (CDL).

She has worked in the vehicle repair and maintenance industry since 2008.