Question How to deal with scratched area on steel Faber tank?

[Wants2divemore]

What is the best way to address a 1" diameter scratched area on my Faber steel tanks? (see photo)

I dove several dives where my stainless steel backplate book screws scratched up my tank (I forgot that would happen once I took off my STA and have since replaced them with plastic book screws). I don't really care about the look of the tank, I just don't want it to rust prematurely (the tanks are primarily in fresh water but see salt water several times a year).

Should I wet sand the area then cover with cold galvanizing spray paint, automotive paint and clear coat, or something else?

 

[Still Kicking]

It looks from the photo that you didn't scrape all the way to bare metal, just the white primer, so it shouldn't rust.

If you want to be sure just make sure tanks are stored dry so no oxidization can take place.

I have seen way more extensive scrapes used regularly in saltwater with no issues.

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

Rekindles a question: are the painted Fabers just paint on bare steel or are they paint over HDG?

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

Put a sticker on it.

 

[Still Kicking]

They are epoxy paint over cold galvanizing.

There is little purpose in painting HDG and they charge more for HDG.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Rekindles a question: are the painted Fabers just paint on bare steel or are they paint over HDG?

You don’t paint over HDG. Ever.

 

[Still Kicking]

You don’t paint over HDG. Ever.

Pressed Steel used to (30 years ago) but it made no sense.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Pressed Steel used to (30 years ago) but it made no sense.

We know a lot today we didn’t 30 years ago. Painting over HDG is completely unnecessary and is no longer practiced.

 

[Still Kicking]

We know a lot today we didn’t 30 years ago. Painting over HDG is completely unnecessary and is no longer practiced.

That's why I said it made no sense.

The marketing department overruled the engineering department.

 

[Scared Silly]

Cosmetic ... just get some gray appliance paint and touch them up.