Removing paint from galvanized

[vs920]

Does anybody know of a good way to take paint off of a galvanized tank surface? Any chemical that wouldn’t react with the coating?
Thanks.

[CaptnJack]

Any paint remover safe for metal is fine.
Zip strip aka klean strip has worked for me in the past. It needs to be warm out to work best, but also not dry out on the tank. If its drying too fast you can wrap the tank in saran wrap to help keep it wet longer. Best to use outside only, even though methylene chloride is no longer considered a carcinogen its still not good for you.

[KneeDeep]

Does anybody know of a good way to take paint off of a galvanized tank surface? Any chemical that wouldn’t react with the coating?
Thanks.

I need to do the same (but haven't done it yet), but was told acetone works.

You really don't (almost) have to worry about he galvanizing, as its a hot dip, unless your using soda ash. But if your using that... it's not paint.

[CaptnJack]

acetone won't work, its just a solvent not a stripper.

[mz53480]

acetone won't work, its just a solvent not a stripper.

Take this advice.
Rjack knows his strippers!

[CaptnJack]

acetone won't work, its just a solvent not a stripper.

Take this advice.
Rjack knows his strippers!

Sigh I wish :p

[vs920]

Thanks for the advice. I’ll get some Zip Strip and give it a shot.

[kdupreez]

harbor freight sells a baking soda blaster, I looked at getting one for exactly this reason.

the media washes away easy and it's fairly environmentally friendly..

expensive way to do it if you plan to only do 2 tanks..

you could also go down to fire king and they will blast the paint off for you for probably $15 a piece..

my time and hassle is worth much more than $15 if I had to manually strip paint..

[Jeff Pack]

Fire KIng?

[BDub]

Fire KIng?

Fire King

Local hydro shop, and nice people

[vs920]

The plan is a pressure washer. After I apply the stripper and let it sit a while, I’ll use the pressure washer at work to get the stubborn paint off. I did this originally without stripper but it only removed the loose paint. Once again, thanks for the advice.

[CaptnJack]

Paint stripper is rediculously caustic. Do not get any on skin or eyes as you blast it off splattering it everywhere.

Not sure the pressure washer will actually work but give it a shot and let us know.

[Waynne Fowler]

Once the strippers done it's job you could simply wash it off with the hose then hit it with the Pressure washer.. it'll keep that icky crap from splattering all over the concrete, cars, buildings, you, your bud's, the dog, plants, your garden.... and of course the...... well... you get the picture.

[spatman]

Once the strippers done it's job you could simply wash it off with the hose then hit it with the Pressure washer..

That's no way to treat a girl trying to put herself through college.

Oh, wrong kind of stripper. My bad.

[kdupreez]

I dont think he meant washing the stripper..

[KneeDeep]

Once the strippers done it's job you could simply wash it off with the hose then hit it with the Pressure washer..

That's no way to treat a girl trying to put herself through college.

Oh, wrong kind of stripper. My bad.

And spatman didn't quote the best/worst part

[Waynne Fowler]

Once the strippers done it's job you could simply wash it off with the hose then hit it with the Pressure washer..

That's no way to treat a girl trying to put herself through college.

Oh, wrong kind of stripper. My bad.

Once the strippers done it's job you could simply wash it off with the hose then hit it with the Pressure washer..

That's no way to treat a girl trying to put herself through college.

Oh, wrong kind of stripper. My bad.

And spatman didn't quote the best/worst part

I completely forgot the crowd I am in here..... I deserve that!

[vs920]

I used a product called Loctite Chisel Paint Stripper that worked very well. I did a test spot before doing the whole tank with no adverse affects. The gasket/paint remover did a good job of loosening the paint and the pressure washer made short work of the rest.

[CaptnJack]

What kind of tank is that? The green actually looks pretty good.

[vs920]

What kind of tank is that? The green actually looks pretty good.

Yes it’s a steel tank. I’m anal; the green didn’t match my other tanks.

[CaptnJack]

What kind of tank is that? The green actually looks pretty good.

Yes it’s a steel tank. I’m anal; the green didn’t match my other tanks.

Do you know who made it?

[vs920]

Sorry I didn't read your post completely. It’s A 3500 psi steel PST, original hydro 4/1990.
The green paint did look pretty good and the Nitrox label good on it too, but like I said, I’m anal, and wanted it to match my other tanks.

[CaptnJack]

Oh ok. Someone must have painted that green. I was just concerned that you stripped a spray galvanized tank (Fabers mostly). If possible you want to avoid that, the paint is an intergral part of their coating and hard to replicate with a can.

[mpenders]

Oh ok. Someone must have painted that green. I was just concerned that you stripped a spray galvanized tank (Fabers mostly). If possible you want to avoid that, the paint is an intergral part of their coating and hard to replicate with a can.

I have an old Scubapro (Faber) 95 that has some spot corrosion/bubbled paint. I've scraped off the bad paint, and It VIP'd out okay, and my plan was to figure out how to better protect it. I was headed down the path of stripping off paint and touching up the galvanizing - until I saw your post.

Have you been down this path, and do you have any suggestions/insight to share?


Mike

[CaptnJack]

Oh ok. Someone must have painted that green. I was just concerned that you stripped a spray galvanized tank (Fabers mostly). If possible you want to avoid that, the paint is an intergral part of their coating and hard to replicate with a can.

I have an old Scubapro (Faber) 95 that has some spot corrosion/bubbled paint. I've scraped off the bad paint, and It VIP'd out okay, and my plan was to figure out how to better protect it. I was headed down the path of stripping off paint and touching up the galvanizing - until I saw your post.

Have you been down this path, and do you have any suggestions/insight to share?


Mike

How bad is the bubbling? The factory faber paint is pretty good and its a baked epoxy that can't be replicated at home. I have never seen one so bad to warrant stripping it, but that's still good enough to not fail a VIP. The bad ones I have seen were so bad they were condemned actually. If you have any of the old OMS boots which don't have good drainage you want to rip those off and either have the tank bare or get a newer faber boot. That's how these tanks get corroded to the point of recycling, not from a little paint bubbling.

I touch mine up with white rustoleum from a small can. Its thicker than spray. If you have the grey OMS painted ones you're screwed lol. That paint sucks.