Propane tank refinishing

pennuja · October 02, 2014, 10:27:02 AM

My propane tank is getting rusty I do not think that the rust is bad it looks like surface rust, but since it is in the basement of where I will be sleeping I figured I would ask. The tank is empty and I am thinking of removing it from the storage bay and using the wire wheel on my grinder to remove the paint that is left and then just repainting it does this seem like a good idea to do it this way. Is there any precautions that I should take or is there a better way to do this?

Here are some pics of the tanks current condition.

mung · October 02, 2014, 10:40:25 AM

Many places will not refill a tank that has been repainted.

eagle19952 · October 02, 2014, 10:43:18 AM

no place will fill a propane tank that has the old style valve....nor will they let you cross hoover dam..or travel in some tunnels....without the OPD....
I might be wrong, but last time I was there they had a stack of propane tanks that would fill 2 pickup trucks...at least.

pennuja · October 02, 2014, 10:54:13 AM

Best to just buy a new tank then, I forgot about the newer style valve.

luvrbus · October 02, 2014, 11:00:34 AM

That tank has the OPD valve ( the yellow cap) just paint it on the RV mounted tanks all the BS does not apply the same portable tanks,but I don't know about using a steel wheel I am thinking sand blasting or paint remover

mung · October 02, 2014, 11:06:30 AM

Personally I would go with a regular grill tank. A lot less money and a lot easier to deal with. Plus you can get new ones when you use one of the tank trade-in things like at HD or Lowes. There are 2 on mine, and I won't be using a lot of propane anyway.

pennuja · October 02, 2014, 11:26:03 AM

If I was only using the stove, heaters and Furnace I would gladly use a couple of small grill ones but my Generator is propane so I do not have much choice. I suppose I could convert the generator to GAS but I don't know if I gain anything by doing that since it takes up storage space just like the propane.

The steel wheel does not seem great to me either I like the idea of stripper better, maybe I will try that.

I have propane for my house stove so I am going to see if they will fill this for me too, but I know if it shows rust most places will not touch it.

luvrbus · October 02, 2014, 11:42:08 AM

I would install one of the newer style regulators that cut off if a leak is flowing to much propane I don't see the regulator is it on the appliances ? I would install a regulator close to the tank and those tanks can be mounted any where and use a remote fill for easy filling. Mine were like that for years they cost about 40 bucks for the Auto Stop brand maybe more now with the price of brass today with the bleeder valve made on the fill valve

mung · October 02, 2014, 11:54:35 AM

Yeah, you will want a big tank then. If you do use that one, I would have it pressure tested before you fill it.

eagle19952 · October 02, 2014, 12:00:02 PM

here's the deal...12 year old tanks are supposed to be recertified.... the way i understood it... if it has the old style shut off valve...hence not the OPD then you would encounter problems getting it filled...since the requirement has been in existence since 2002...plus 12 = 2014,,, or since january

I am all electric so I have no propane dilemma.
In otherwords if the cert stamp is more than 12 years ago.

pennuja · October 02, 2014, 12:05:12 PM

Here is a picture of the regulator and a shot to show its location, although I am not sure that I like the way this it is mounted.

Where is a good place to go to get the tank tested?

mung · October 02, 2014, 12:10:35 PM

I would call whoever your house propane is supplied by and ask them if they do it or can recommend someone who does. That tank looks a lot worse than the one on my old Winnie and that one made me a little nervous.

luvrbus · October 02, 2014, 12:16:12 PM

That tank is made of 1/4 in steel wait till you pick it up, you can do what you feel best with but that tank does not need to be tested look at welds on it that is a DOT approved tank has a liquid and a vapor valve so your generator runs on vapor the way it is plumbed ?

pennuja · October 02, 2014, 12:20:32 PM

How would you tell the amount it holds to get a replacement the dimensions are roughly 70" circumference x 34" long.

I think it might look worse in the pics than it is but you can't be too safe, it looks empty too which is good.

Can anyone recommend some place to look for a new tank I would like to see what my options are, especially if anyone has installed one in a 4104 compartment mine is in the second from the front on the drivers side.

pennuja · October 02, 2014, 12:24:08 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on October 02, 2014, 12:16:12 PM
That tank is made of 1/4 in steel wait till you pick it up, you can do what you feel best with but that tank does not need to be tested look at welds on it that is a DOT approved tank has a liquid and a vapor valve so your generator runs on vapor the way it is plumbed ?

I have not started the Generator yet but it has been running like this, I will check the Generator to see what the manual says.

I do not know a lot about tanks but it looks extremely heavy not like the grill types, and the rust is very much only surface rust. Also if you look at the pics there is no rust at the seams which is good.

There is a stamping on the side but it is tough to read I am going to see if I can get a rubbing of it.