Date:         Fri, 17 Nov 2000 21:27:32 EST
Reply-To:     JordanVw@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         JordanVw@AOL.COM
Subject:      PAINT YOUR PROPANE TANKS!!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

it seems as if EVERY westy ive seen has a rusty propane tank.  there is no
reason for this. its so easy to repaint your own tank, but it seems as most
people would rather let theirs go , and just pay $300+ for a new one.. and
half the time their tank itself is not even bad. People see some surface rust
and all the sudden "i need a new tank" ...  makes no sense to me.. all
because they didnt want to spend less than 2 hrs reconditioning their present
one.   Most of you all spend time cleaning your van inside and out, but do
you really know what your propane tank looks like?  ive seen people get
turned away at propane filling stations because their tank was too rusty.
first off, does your tank hold LP?  if it doesnt it could just be a valve,
and these are easy enough to get at your local RV store or Gas appliance
store.  dont believe me? try it.
look at your tank.  its probably covered with surface rust, if it's like most
westy owners..  out of sight, therefore out of mind.
just because your tank is covered with surface rust, doesnt mean theres
anything wrong with it. the Steel used in those tanks is pretty thick.
But the key is stopping the rust BEFORE it does actually do damage.

here is what you do. open the valve, and let all the propane out.  wear a
glove, because that stuff can freeze your skin. (propane burn).  anyway,
after youve drained your tank, umbolt it from the vans body.  there are
usually 4 bolts. then take a pipe wrench and undo the brass fittings that the
hose is connected to.
now your tank is removed from your van.
if your tank is really pitted, you may want to have it sandblasted.  mine
wasnt that bad, so i just took a drill/grinder with a wire brush wheel
attachment on it and wire brusged down the whole tank.
then i sanded the whole thing with really coarse sandpaper.
then i took some cleaner solvent/mineral spirits/paint thinner and wiped the
whole thing clean with a few rags.
then i took some heavy duty rustoleum red oxide primer and brush painted a
really thick coat on the whole tank.
after that dried, i went over it with rustoleum black gloss paint with a
brush.
then let it dry, and reinstalled it.
simple, and now my tank is just as good as new, and didnt cost me anything.

chris
'84 vanagon wolfy sunroof (for sale)
'78 westy (NOT for sale)