Cleaning tanks

[SparticleBrane]

I recently went down to the Keys and got in a few dives. Upon returning home my tanks were quite disgusting. I have two "brushed aluminum" Al80s that went from being shiny to gross. My guess is that the salt in the air was sticky and dirt that was just floating around latched onto the tanks.

Jason B. suggested that I clean them with white vinegar so I gave it a shot. Since there's no paint on the tanks there's nothing to eat away, and the vinegar isn't strong enough to hurt the tanks.

I'll let the results speak for themselves. Jason's awesome suggestion worked great. Note that the process was very time and energy intensive though--and then I had to clean out the tub afterwards. Even still I think it's worth it to have clean gear.

Before:

During:

After:

Realized right after taking that pic that I hadn't replaced the nitrox stickers so I tossed those on there right afterwards.

 

[mike_s]

Sweet....


I'll drop mine off to you next week to be polished..

 

[SparticleBrane]

Sweet....


I'll drop mine off to you next week to be polished..

No, no, see that was the purpose of my post, to let you know a great way to do it--that way I DON'T have to polish your tanks.

 

[The Chairman]

I don't have the proper certification for this though... expect 32 to show up anytime.

 

[spectrum]

Now you don't have those handy marks to let you position your cylinder bands.

 

[pescador775]

Netdoc, GOOD ONE! LOLOL

 

[SparticleBrane]

Now you don't have those handy marks to let you position your cylinder bands.

Interestingly enough those aren't from cylinder bands as I don't dive doubles; they're from the cam-straps on my Eclipse. I guess they're so tight D) that they didn't let any dirt on the tank.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

Wow, I wouldnt worry about them being clean. They are just going to get that way again after a few more dives. I think its bad to have shiny tanks. Shows that you are a newbie. Let em get a little schmutz on em. Makes em look like they been used a little...

 

[SparticleBrane]

I would rather keep my gear nice and clean than worry about whether or not people think I'm a n00b--I'll let them make that decision once we're in the water.

 

[MrConclusion]

SparticleBrane: I have some tanks you can borrow if you need more practice in perfecting your cleaning technique.