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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 3:41 pm Post subject: Q: Propane Tank Restoration |
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OK, OK, I DID use "THE SEARCH" and it was pretty strong for me, BUT (and it is a BIG one) I still have some questions. I read:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=359287
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=288602
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=245466
All good. BUTT, I have two unanswered questions:
1. Powder coat or just paint well?
2. What are the thread sizes so I can put plugs in before media blasting?
Edit: Question 2 answered by inspection - just standard npt pipe threads..see pictures below.
1. Tank close to ready to be cleaned and coated by RW Little Company. My die grinder waiting to take off plate to expose rust....
Data plate off. Lookie at that rust under there!
Nasty chrome fitting that is NOT steel is tough for me to remove...it WILL come out!
Nasty chromed fitting out after soaking and back and forth.....but it still smells 2 days later!
TOP tag welded on too. Has rust under it too.....
Tank back from RW Little. The tank was derusted, zinc coated and electrostatically painted white. It IS thick.
To me, this looks like there is a lot of material on there.
_________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)
Last edited by r39o on Sun Mar 14, 2010 6:53 pm; edited 8 times in total |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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Is the answer to question #2?
a) Fill Valve 3/4 inch npt
b) 80% Stop Bleeder 1/4 inch npt
c) Service Valve 3/8 inch npt _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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I did powdercoat my two tanks. I don't think it is woth it though since they will start getting chipped by road debris the minute you drive off. I did it because I found a cheap powdercoating place.
You will also have to find a place that feels comfortable powdercoating a used propane tank. There are some safety risks involved with that. It can be done but some places will just tell you no way we do this. _________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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hiram6 Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006 Posts: 1880 Location: Beautiful South
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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two votes for powdercoating.
The powdercoater insisted that all propane be evacuated, all fittings removed, and the tank be left open to the atmosphere for 48 hours before he would touch it. _________________ 1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning. |
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buildyourown Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2009 Posts: 1668 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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I vote paint.
I've seen rust creep under powder and get really bad before poking through. With paint, it will show faster so you can fix it and not just hide it.
Use a good zinc primer and rattle can it yourself.
I have some that says it provides rust protection even after it's chipped. |
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Alaric.H Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2009 Posts: 2529 Location: Sandy Springs GA
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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I would hate to see you waste money on powder coating when good paint will be just fine. |
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ZimZam Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2005 Posts: 562 Location: Talkeetna, AK
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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What about rhino liner? Won't that prevent it from getting all torn to shiz? _________________ '85 Cabriolet (Margo)
'87 Westy (Heidi)
'75 Porsche 911S Targa
"Nobody trusts anyone, or why did they put tilt on a pinball machine.”
- Steve McQueen
"It's just metal, when rusted and dented , anything you will do will be better. Stop being afraid. What they (VW) did many year ago is not better then what you will do now." -Ben |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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Did I get question 2 correct?
I want to go and get the plugs. _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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Dogpilot Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2005 Posts: 4205 Location: Flagstaff, AZ
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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Paint well and do it frequently. Or paint well and put something to guard the leading edge from gravel. Rhino liner or spray on bedliner would work, but it, as mentioned may hide rust. _________________ Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G |
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deprivation Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2006 Posts: 1220 Location: Austin, Texas
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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I did mine myself - I sanded the shit out of it and used horrid chemicals but I got it down to clean metal and painting it with several coats of epoxy paint and a few clear coats.
A little but of rust is peeking through after 20k miles. Whatevs... _________________ 1986 Westy 2WD auto a.k.a. "The Old Girl"
www.kittenfart.com |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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About using bedliner, somewhere I read that outdoor propane tanks are supposed to be painted in light colors, preferably in white. _________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:58 pm Post subject: |
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And Higher End Bedliner is available in a color you might want it in---
Strip the paint, phosphoric acid the tank, zinc chromate it, and lay a good coat of Imron over the Vari Prime.
Raptor tintable bedliner is another option, and as tough if not tougher than the Imron.
But like everything else it has to be applied over a well prepared surface for any sort of long term longevity. _________________ T.K. |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:11 am Post subject: |
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http://www.rwlittle.com/
I am going to see these fine folks. They know EXACTLY what to do. Stay tuned.
Terry,
I still need an answer to #2, the sizes of the plugs I need. _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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Eastwood Company Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2010 Posts: 73 Location: Pottstown, PA
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Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 7:25 am Post subject: |
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With the proper prep. powder coat will not chip or rust. The finish is extremely durable when prepared, shot, and baked correctly. Either way post pics after you get it refinished!
-Matt _________________ Visit our site for all your Restoration Needs!
15% off all orders over $25 for Samba members. Enter "Samba" as your SOURCE CODE |
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kshbaja Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2008 Posts: 476 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 9:48 am Post subject: |
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I had my tank and brackets powder coated for $50. This included bead blasting. For that money, it's worth having someone else do it even if it doesn't last longer than paint. Sanding is not one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon. I've had mine on the road for a year now and it still looks great.
If you do decide to powder coat the tank, read a few posts about getting the ID tag off and then back on again. There is likely rust lurking behind that tag that you will want to have addressed. _________________ 1986 Westfalia |
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bjrogers86auto Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2009 Posts: 1375 Location: Halifax, N.S.
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Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:50 am Post subject: propane |
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The color isn't a factor under a van. Unless you park on mirrors..... |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:45 am Post subject: |
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r39o wrote: |
Is the answer to question #2?
a) Fill Valve 3/4 inch npt
b) 80% Stop Bleeder 1/4 inch npt
c) Service Valve 3/8 inch npt |
I answered a and b correct, but I can not get my stupid auto stop filler out to see if c is right. It seems c is not 3.8 but rather 3/4.
Is c 3/4? _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
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Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 7:49 am Post subject: |
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BY taking a look at the exposed threads beyond the tank you should be able to see that the shut off valve sure isn't 3/8's npt.
You can't get thevalve outa the tank?
How come?
An 18" or 20 " crecent wrench will break it loose without building a sweat. _________________ T.K. |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 6:05 pm Post subject: |
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I got a big enough wrench on it. I got it to budge a bit. I went back a bit. I went forward a bit more. What I realize there is rust in the threads and I do not want to ruin them. What is a SAFE way to get the fitting out?
Can I use lube? If so, what? I dare not lube it as I do not know what I could mess up for later use. This is unknown territory for me.
I have left the tank open for more than a day. It STILL wafts out some fumes from time to time. What do I have to do to bleed that puppy? The vapor and the bleed are open. _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
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Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:32 pm Post subject: |
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The tank is steel, the valves are brass.
which one is going to lose the threads first?
Not the tank.
Oil them up the old fashioned way--get an oil can with some 30 weight oil in it and work the valve back and forth.
It'll break loose. _________________ T.K.
Last edited by Terry Kay on Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:06 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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