Shortage of hot dipped galvanized tanks in the US?

[Belzelbub]

Wow. I wasn't aware of this issue. Looks like we may be heading towards new HDG cylinders no longer being available. I will cherish the 6 HDG HP100s in my inventory even more than before.

Yeah, that is a bummer.

I was able to pick up a couple HDG120s new a couple years ago. When I picked them up, I noticed that the HP100s were painted. Shop owner indicated that he wasn’t sure when they’d get HDG 100s back in.

Glad I picked up 4 older HDG 100s earlier this year. From the sounds of things, I’ll be holding on to them. Pass them down to my daughters when the time comes.

 

[DiveGearExpress]

Faber is currently the only source for a DOT/CTC compliant steel SCUBA cylinder in North America. Uncoated steel tanks quickly rust in the presence of water, so all steel tanks are coated with zinc. When a steel tank is galvanized, a zinc metal coating is bonded to the surface of the steel. There are two zinc coating processes for steel tanks: dip galvanizing and spray galvanizing. The hot zinc dipped coating comes from the factory as a shiny silver color that rapidly ages to a mottled gray once exposed to sea water. Steel tanks are also available in a hot zinc sprayed coating that is further protected with an epoxy paint. Compared to the better cosmetic appearance of the epoxy paint finish, the hot dipped galvanized finish is "industrial grade" with noticeable cosmetic imperfections. Although the consensus seems to be that hot-dipped galvanization is preferred for its resistance to scrapes and scratches, some experts believe that environmental concerns about the molten zinc dip vat operation itself outweigh the benefits of hot-dipped galvanization.

As of Fall 2024, both of our US distributors for Faber are informing Dive Gear Express there is a possibility that hot dipped galvanized (HDG) finish cylinders may no longer be available in the near future. Faber outsources the HDG finishing process to a third party in Italy, and there are apparently some issues with the continuation of that relationship with the third party. We being told by our US distributors that Faber is exploring alternative sources for HDG, but the future for availability of the HDG finish is uncertain at this time.

The US distributors are currently out of stock for HDG finish on new HP80's, HP100's and LP85's with the retail channel mostly sold through as well, although there is currently limited new inventory of the larger Faber steel cylinder sizes in HDG (i.e. HP117, HP120, HP133). We are told there is also a small quantity of HDG HP100's in transit to the US, although they are all committed to back orders and neither of the US distributors for Faber are accepting new orders for HDG HP100's or LP85's at this time. Regardless, Faber steel SCUBA cylinders in those popular sizes with a paint over hot spray galvanized finish are currently available and will continue to be available since the painted finish is produced entirely within Faber manufacturing. However, there might be brief shortages of painted finish cylinders as inventory levels are adjusted to adapt to the absence of the HDG finish.

 

[happy-diver]

yeah and if you're desperate for a gal finish like I am you can take the paint off

 

[tmassey]

And I just sold 12 steel scuba tanks…

Congratulations to those who got them. Not sure I would’ve sold them had I read this first.

Of course, when I look at how many I still have left… Yeah, I’ll be OK.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

People don’t realize what they miss until it’s gone.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

And I just sold 12 steel scuba tanks…

Congratulations to those who got them. Not sure I would’ve sold them and I read this first.

Of course, when I look at how many I still have left… Yeah, I’ll be OK.

I feel your pain. A few years ago I sold off 4 Worthington HDG HP100s that I "didn't need". Like that is even a thing.

 

[Chrisk919]

Congratulations to those who got them. Not sure I would’ve sold them and I read this first.

Don't worry I'll keep my 2 well loved, lol.

 

[Still Kicking]

I have a dozen galvanized 120s ....about all i need but i have to resist the urge to buy them when they surface on Craigslist. Love 'em.

With the trend toward rebreathers, I expect the used market will be healthy for a while.

FWIW, the painted Faber tanks hold up really well, given almost a decade in the market. Cosmetic scratches yes but no real rust issues I have seen based on many hundreds of inspections.

 

[happy-diver]

and I've been using them in my market for three decades also being associated with dive and hydro shops

When you stamp them for hydro, the paint chips off, but progresses no further and does not promote rust

and we have yearly hydros

yeah and the paint under the valve chips off but then I chip the the rest off and there's still gal under there

 

[Chrisk919]

and we have yearly hydros

Whoah! That seems.. aggressive. Do they eventually have to fail them because there's no room left for a stamp?