Refinishing LP72s?

[Mitchell Teeters]

I've got an old dacor lp72 I wonder if I could strip the plastic type paint of LOL that?

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[1978davidw]

Im planning on stripping and refinishing a lp 72 today. gonna finish it with the hammer grey rustoleum.

 

[KD8NPB]

Try ZCR Gavalite. I refinished an old 72 a few years ago rather hastily and that stuff has held up well.

In hindsight, I wish I did do the "natural" galvanized finish! It would hide scratches / scuffs better.

I've got an old dacor lp72 I wonder if I could strip the plastic type paint of LOL that?

It was actually easier to remove the epoxy than the paint! Kleanstrip stripper is what it was...it did take 3 coats of it to cause the epoxy to delaminate though. But when it delaminated, you can see, it delaminated in nice sized chunks. The regular paint just turned into confetti.

Im planning on stripping and refinishing a lp 72 today. gonna finish it with the hammer grey rustoleum.

I warn you, let them cure for at least 24 hours before you TOUCH them, and wait about a week before you try to mount them or anything. Rustoleum apparently takes VERY long to set hard. Even after 3 days, the finish is rather weak.

By the way, the C with the L in it means that the tanks were originally tested by Cochran Labs, and they were made by Pressed Steel Corp. Somewhere there should be a PST emblem.

Wow, thanks again! This is why I love forums like this...obscure knowledge, I wouldn't know otherwise! No idea where the PST emblem is hiding though.

Anyways, pictures:

You can see the scuffs / scratches I added by messing with them before the paint was fully cured. To future readers, I would advise leaning them in the sun or with a heat lamp for the first 2-3 days until the topcoat solidifies...that's the worst part is when it's in the "napkin-durable" stage, and you can rub it off with your finger. Luckily, it's easy to touch up though. I've still got paint left, so I'll sponge some more onto the scuffs.

I kinda wish the yoke was on top. Currently, I have to route my backup octo up-and-under the wing/plate to clip it in place. Also, the inflator hose kinks kinda weird. I'm not going to worry about it for the time being though, I'm switching to the long primary soon enough.

The extra gas is nice.

45F bottom temp, 68F surface, I got about 57 min @ 59 ft. 2300 psi starting, down to about 700 psi. It was my first time diving twins with a BC. It was interesting to say the least. I had to experiment with purging air out of the BC on ascent.

 

[Greendiver]

Nice job! I noticed your vis decals, another local diver!

 

[captain]

Being they aren't galvanized here is my recomendation. Wire brush or sand blast to white metal, apply 3 coats of ZRC Galvilite with a foam roller and top coat with what ever you want. The galvilite will protect the tank from rust better than anything else.