Used steel tanks with no paint

[Pink_AquaRanger]

My local shop is selling some steel 72 tanks for $100, which sounds like such a steal. When I went to go look at the though they have almost all their paint chipped off. Since I mostly dive in the ocean, would these tanks hold up? Would I need to get them repainted?

 

[NorCalDM]

I would not repaint them and would clean off the rest of the paint. The problem with painted tanks and especially if it is not painted well the water can get under the paint and cause corrosion that is not seen. If the tank is bare metal just rinse with fresh water and dry any corrosion can be seen. If they have a boot on them take it off and check for corrasion as the boot will hold water as well. Steel 72's dive nice! Check the hydro as well and make sure it is current.

 

[Cio]

Not so sure leaving a steel tank bare is advisable. It should be painted and if it is painted, done correctly.

In reality, get an alu 80 for $100 and just go diving.

 

[Gone for diving]

You sure its bare steel?
Its probably galvanized and the paint is flaking off.

 

[NorCalDM]

You sure its bare steel?
Its probably galvanized and the paint is flaking off.

Your probably correct and most paint won't stick very well to galvanizing.

 

[runsongas]

make sure they have a fresh hydro and vis. strip them then cold galv if you start seeing bare steel.

ZRC Cold Galvanizing Compound

Protect your assets from corrosion with ZRC Cold Galvanizing Compound. Equivalent to hot-dip galvanizing, it exceeds industry standards and provides long-term protection.

www.zrcworldwide.com

 

[johndiver999]

Are the tanks in hydro and VIP? If the price is $100 per tank, that would probably be high around Florida where I am.

 

[jmark18]

Beaware that there are several brands of steel 72's and they have different characteristics as they empty. Some are like any other steel tank and some get a floaty tail like Al 80's

 

[Pink_AquaRanger]

They are in current hydro and vis, and talking with the shop it's just bare steel. I think I'm going to pass of them, seems like a bit too much care and work for not super great deal. Also wasn't even the size of tank I wanted most.

 

[PR_SMITH]

I use this on steel tanks: Top Coat

It bonds to the steel and really inhibits rust.