Date:         Fri, 14 Sep 2001 13:33:53 -0400
Reply-To:     Jay L Snyder <Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jay L Snyder <Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM>
Subject:      Propane Tank Refurb Results
Comments: cc: Rocky.R.Snyder@usa.dupont.com, jfmaurer@juno.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I finished painting the propane tank and I thought I would share some
observations on the results.  I dropped the tank and cleaned it up using a
3M flexible disk which actually worked quite well for removing the loose
paint and rust.  It produced almost no heat, so I felt comfortable working
on the tank with the propane still in it.  I primed it with 2 coats of
Rustoleum damp -proof primer and topped with two coats gloss white.  First
of all, let me say I am not impressed with this paint.  It feels very soft
and nicks easily.  I allowed a full day between coats.  Maybe spraying
would have worked better?  I didn't realize until after I reinstalled the
tank how little you see of it!  You really only see the stone guard.   I
wanted to keep it close to the original color, but now I think a much
better solution would have been to coat the tank with something much more
durable, like an undercoating or bed-liner material.  You really can't see
the tank, unless you crawl under and look.  The stone guard is visible as
is the plastic cover for the regulator.  I guess this is one of those
maintenance items that you just do for the sake of doing it.  Except for
the area under the stamped ID tag, the tank was in pretty good shape.  The
stone guard was rusty, but cleaned up OK.  I may go back and cover the tank
with some other material after the paint ages a little.
What would really help the appearance would be a new filling instruction
sticker, and a new yellow cap for the filling connection.  Are these
available anywhere?

                                              Jay