Stripping paint off tank

[BassO]

I came into possession of two tanks that a previous owner's kid had 'livened up' by purposefully dripping paint all over it. The result is... not appreciated. So I'd like to see if I can strip that layer of paint. Are there any special conditions concerning paint on cylinders? Can I just use paint stripper? Can I just repaint the cylinder if I happen to clean the original paint with it? Should I skip the stripping and just add a new layer of paint (and if so, any particular type)?

Edit: I forgot to mention they are steel.

 

[rjack321]

I came into possession of two tanks that a previous owner's kid had 'livened up' by purposefully dripping paint all over it. The result is... not appreciated. So I'd like to see if I can strip that layer of paint. Are there any special conditions concerning paint on cylinders? Can I just use paint stripper? Can I just repaint the cylinder if I happen to clean the original paint with it? Should I skip the stripping and just add a new layer of paint (and if so, any particular type)?

What kind of tank?

Citrus zip strip works ok but need to be warm outside to activate and work well. If its an AL80 just leave it bare. Repainted tanks are a huge red flag at VIP time because powder coating requires heat and heat kills the temper in aluminum. If its a spray galvanized painted faber you can use any kind of spray paint.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CitriStrip-Stripping-Gel-1-QT/1000567963

 

[Ghost95]

Zip Strip is what I used on my aluminum cylinders.

Paint strippers for aluminum cylinders

It wasn't too hard. Good luck.

 

[rjack321]

Zip Strip is what I used on my aluminum cylinders.

Paint strippers for aluminum cylinders

It wasn't too hard. Good luck.

Zip strip has methylene chloride in it and is pretty bad for you. Definitely only use outdoors

 

[Ghost95]

Zip strip has methylene chloride in it and is pretty bad for you. Definitely only use outdoors

Follow all the precautions and wear PPE, especially goggles and gloves. If you get any on your skin you'll wish you covered up. It will burn.

 

[rsingler]

If you have a particularly difficult coating like some epoxy paints, after you apply the stripper, wrap the tank in heavy plastic and wait overnight. It's much easier to scrape this way. It may take several applications.

 

[BassO]

Thanks! I forgot to mention they are steel. This probably makes it easier.

 

[happy-diver]

Rub it back to the original paint that's sound and paint over that

That's what happens here!

 

[Lostdiver71]

I have a Steel Faber and was advised to use Rustoleum Aircraft Stripper by someone who has done many steel tanks and then paint them with cold galvanizing paint. I have used CitriStrip very successfully on Aluminum Tanks.

 

[rsingler]

I just took my steels down to bare metal with that stripper. There were enough gaps in the original zinc coating that I did a Rustoleum Cold Zinc repaint. But the zinc is very powdery and comes right off. So I spot repainted the gaps and then did a semi gloss spray Rustoleum poly overcoat
Came out great! And it's been durable.