Hydro / VIS a clearcoated tank

[chrpai]

A friend of mine has an AL80 tank ( I haven't actually seen it yet ) that from he describes has a blue clear coat on it. It's out of hydro and VIS and he tells me that when he took it to an LDS they claimed they couldn't hydro and/or VIS (not sure which) it because of the coating and rust concerns.

I need a sniff test on this one. He says the coating came from the manufacturer that way. I can take it to a place in town that does Hydros then to an LDS to VIS or I can take it to another LDS but I thought I'd ask the here first.

 

[redacted]

Just make sure you avoid the LDS he used and you should have no problem as long as the tank was made after 1990.

 

[chrpai]

I know where he went (and I won't), and I know how to read crown markings to detect a 6351 tank (The change date for Luxfer was 1988 and Catalina never used 6351). I just wanted to check if there was some legit reason that the LDS could have that I might be unaware of.

 

[Skooter]

If possible please post a photo of the tank. I'm curious to see what finish is on the tank. I agree and would move along to someone who knows what they are talking about.

 

[Scared Silly]

Some mfg like Luxfer used such a coating. The LDS does not sound accurate in the least bit. Take it directly to your local hydro facility and have them requalify it and then take it to the other shop. When done go back to the other shop and tell them of your success and walk out the door.

 

[chrpai]

Ok I've seen the tank. It's a standard Luxfor S80 with a first hydro date of 5/2007. It's got a pretty blue gloss to it that is clearly a factory finish. The dive shop in question clearly did the last VIS and even has a "free air fills" sticker on the tank as they are the ones that sold it to my friend new.

And yet my friend ( who also certified as a DM through the same shop ) tells me they told him it couldn't be hydro's because of the finish.

I've dropped the tank off at my local hydro company and will get it back next week. Then I'll take it to get VIS'd at another LDS.

Very interesting...

 

[Skooter]

They can sell a blue tank but can't service it :laughing:

 

[nimoh]

it's probably a lot more profitable to sell a customer a new tank instead of doing the hydro

 

[muddiver]

It tells me that theerson at the LDS has no clue when they say an aluminum cylinder has "rust"

 

[captain]

And the tank insanity goes on.