New tank rust

[UWSojourner]

Just received 2 E8-119 tanks. Both have some rust inside, not a lot but clearly visible.

What is best course? I could ship them back, but if there is an easy fix I'd like to do it. Is it common to get a little rust in newly delivered tanks?

 

[medical1]

Flash rust is fairly common on steel tanks and actually protects the tank from further damage. If there is are pits or cakes of rust coming off the tank you might have a reason to be upset & send them back :11:

 

[UWSojourner]

Flash rust is fairly common on steel tanks and actually protects the tank from further damage. If there is are pits or cakes of rust coming off the tank you might have a reason to be upset & send them back :11:

What's are pits and cakes of rust? Basically I saw some rust on the sides; it was more than just a speck ... it was clearly rust.

 

[pescador775]

Clearly, this is a matter of judgement. Since you are asking this question, and judging from your reply, you may lack the experience to understand the answers and reevaluate the situation. This leaves the obvious course of action which is to have a professional examine the tank's interior.

Normally, the inside of a new tank is clean (shiny). This is not the first such report. I suspect that something strange is going on at PST's hydro test facility.

How are you doing the inspection? Do you have a light wand?

BTW, the comment about flash rust protecting the underlying metal is questionable. Unlike some aluminum alloys and some types of cast iron, hi tensile steel does not exhibit the characteristic of non porous, self healing rust.

What's are pits and cakes of rust? Basically I saw some rust on the sides; it was more than just a speck ... it was clearly rust.

 

[UWSojourner]

The test was done with a light wand at a dive shop. They recommended blasting the interior ( or tumbling it).

I was just checking with you guys before I a) return the tanks or b) get the rust dealt with.

Clearly, this is a matter of judgement. Since you are asking this question, and judging from your reply, you may lack the experience to understand the answers and reevaluate the situation. This leaves the obvious course of action which is to have a professional examine the tank's interior.

Normally, the inside of a new tank is clean (shiny). This is not the first such report. I suspect that something strange is going on at PST's hydro test facility.

How are you doing the inspection? Do you have a light wand?

BTW, the comment about flash rust protecting the underlying metal is questionable. Unlike some aluminum alloys and some types of cast iron, hi tensile steel does not exhibit the characteristic of non porous, self healing rust.

 

[Laser]

The test was done with a light wand at a dive shop. They recommended blasting the interior ( or tumbling it).

I was just checking with you guys before I a) return the tanks or b) get the rust dealt with.

Send it back. It's not normal on a new cylinder. The seller should have took a peek inside before selling them to you.

 

[iflyprops]

I am in the same predicament, and just sent back a brand new E8-119. The dive shop said they wouldn't even certify it for air, although I think they were pissed because I didn't buy one of their Fabers... Something strange must be going on with PST as this shouldn't be happening. I offered to have it tumbled if the place I bought it from paid for it but they said no...so they are paying lots and lots of shipping!!

 

[UWSojourner]

Thanks for the responses. I'm sending them back.

 

[ChrisA]

Just received 2 E8-119 tanks. Both have some rust inside, not a lot but clearly visible.

What is best course? I could ship them back, but if there is an easy fix I'd like to do it. Is it common to get a little rust in newly delivered tanks?

I just went thrugh this process with my first steel tenk. Here is what I found out:

Very light surface rust inside is normal. If forms very fast, within hours, I'm told.

Rust that makes the inside not smooth is not OK and should be cleaned out by tumbling the tank.

I watched the guy VIP my tank. One thing he did was whack the tank with a rubber mallet in several places and then upend the tank and tap the open neck on a clean white surface. He said if any rust dust came out he'd recommend a tank tumble. But if the mallet did not knock anything loose it's fine.
He says PST ships the tanks with valves off. they then VIP them at the store and always there is surface rust when they get the tanks.

Appearently the tanks are a little bit overbuilt and will still pass hydro even after a conciderable volume of rust has been removed by tumbling

 

[drbill]

New PST tanks are notorious for "rust" in the interior. I was told by PST that it actually is an orange discoloration due to the manufacturing process, and not really rust. However, I have delayed buying a new PST to replace my 10-year old one because I have heard they are having manufacturing problems due to the relocation of their plant after an "eminent domain" action on the old one by the city.

Sure miss my old HP120. Wish someone from PST would confirm these stories.

Doc