Painting and Stripping Steel Tanks

[smorneau]

Has anyone had any experience painting galv. steel tanks? I have a couple of PST tanks that someone painted black and they need to be refinished. What should I use for paint that will stick to galv. surface. I got some of the loose paint off around the boot area. I am aware of the galv. paint, but that says it needs a bare surface. Any ideas. Any marine paint that may work? What could I use to strip the remainder of the paint if needed that will not damage the tank, paint stripper, sand blast?
Thanks

 

[Gilldiver]

An "Aircraft" type stripper will work well, especially one with methylene chloride in it. But methylene chloride is heavy on the body fume wise and will give you a real good burn to exposed skin. So, use in a well ventilated area, use good gloves, old clothing, and eye protection. Don't use sand blast as it is too aggressive and will cut through the zinc galvanizing.

After stripping, use red scotch brite and soap and water to scrub the surfaces clean and to make sure all the stripper gel is removed

For paint, the best is to use a two part epoxy primer and then a 2 part polyurethane topcoat. If you have access to aircraft quality paint great, otherwise get some good automotive paint as used by a good auto body shop, or see if the body shop will paint them for you.

The tanks shown here were done with aircraft Mil-spec paint about 4 years ago

 

[smorneau]

Those look great will using an epoxy primer affect a hydro?

 

[Mopar]

I just use ZRC galvilite. It is what XS Scuba used on my tanks. It does not look as good as the above tanks but I am ruff on the finish and it is simpler for me.

ZRC - ZRC Galvilite Galvanizing Repair Compound

 

[spectrum]

If they are galvanized I would strip the paint and be done with it. Nothing will be more durable and timeless than the hot dipped galvanized finished.

A plastic scraper will soon conform to the radius of the cylinder and do a dandy job when used with a common chemical stripper.

Pete

 

[Gilldiver]

Those look great will using an epoxy primer affect a hydro?

No, good paint has some flexibility, both of those tanks have been through hydro since being painted.