Painting a 500 gallon propane tank

[inane2]

Good morning guys,

I’m planning on installing a radiant tube heater in my shop this summer. With that in mind, I would like to paint my 500 gallon propane tank. I own the tank and when new, it was the typical light blue. My shop is light stone with a band of taupe around the bottom. I want to paint the tank something similar to the light stone and go with the darker brown on the dome at the top of the tank. I plan on using a rattle can for the dome.

I know to avoid painting the tank a dark color to attract heat and the color I’m going with should be fine. Tank has been emptied / purged, pressure washed and sitting on an old wagon running gear in my shop. Going to scuff over it and wipe it down.

What kind of paint would you recommend for the tank itself? I have a Tractor Supply here and use a lot of their implement paint on various metal projects on the farm. However, they don’t offer anything close to the tan / khaki I need. Even something along the lines of desert camo would work.

Thanks!

 

[george4]

Had the same blue tank problem, I spray painted mine with earth tone Behr outdoor house paint from HomeDepot so it would not stand out so much. Power washed it before painting. I did some tape masking around the fittings and gauge. It lasted several years and was still fine when the tank was replaced at the point I changed propane companies.

 

[sierradmax]

I have had successful results with DTM paints

 

[ddawg16]

I would not use an HD paint....

I would first paint it with a good made for metal primer.

Then I would follow up with a light colored high gloss that will reflect light

Here is a link for you

http://www.propane101.com/propanetankcolor.htm

And you might want to look up NFPA 58

 

[Cyberbear]

Be sure to scuff well the existing paint surface for better adhesion of the new paint. Use a paint supplier that can provide exterior commercial grade enamel machinery paint, some of which will mix any custom color at a slight price increase. Rather than spray on the new paint, I'd suggest using a small throw away roller and do the small details with a brush. This should provide many years of good service in the elements, especially if you give the tank two coats, this is especially important at the under belly of the tank where moisture collects.

 

[GTFiero]

Pressure wash, paint 2 coats with zinc chromate (green or yellow) primer using spray or brush, paint finish coat of outdoor paint of your choice.

 

[rlitman]

I have had successful results with DTM paints

DTM, for those not familiar with the term means Direct To Metal. That's probably what the tank was painted with in the first place. It might be appropriate in this case too.

I would not use an HD paint....

I would first paint it with a good made for metal primer...

I saw nothing about the tank being bare metal. If it were, it would either need a metal primer, or a DTM paint. But all I read was that it was washed. Of course, any rust spots should be sanded to good metal and primed with something appropriate.

From there, you need something that will adhere to whatever is on there.

I do have a concern with the OP's color scheme though. The top of the tank is the part most exposed to sun, and is an awful place for dark brown. For this reason, I think that if you want to disguise the tank, the best option might be to make an enclosure for it, rather than painting it in a camouflage scheme.

 

[inane2]

Thanks for all the hints and ideas guys! I appreciate all the input. To help clarify, my tank now is light blue with a red dome. What I'm calling the dome is the round metal cover or lid that goes over the gauges and spec plate, half moon shaped, pivots on a cotter key. I'm going to rattle can it the taupe or brown color that will match the wainscot on my garage. I want to paint the tank itself to match the light stone of my garage, its almost a khaki color. Probably confusing on my part to mention desert camo, I was just thinking of the multiple colors in that pattern and how the tan was close to what I was wanting. Not trying to camo or hide the tank, just figured it would look better if it matched my shop versus the blue with red lid scheme.

Here is an image I found of what I intend for my tank to look like. The one in the pic has a black dome cover, mine will be brown.



Tank is in great shape. Paint is a little faded and oxidized but no bare metal. Minimal rust around the hooks welded on each side of the tank.


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[CrashmanS]

We had an issue with heat and dark colors. We always paint ours white or silver. We used plantings and fencing to hide ours also.

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[sberry]

Pressure wash, scuff and roll enamel on.

 

[rlitman]

...Here is an image I found of what I intend for my tank to look like...

Around here, that's a standard color for these sorts of "industrial" things. The diesel generator enclosure at my work has that color, as does the separate diesel tank. I believe it is called "sandtone", and it should be easy to find.

Do you have a Sherwin Williams nearby?

 

[inane2]

Do you have a Sherwin Williams nearby?

Yes I do. It appears they are having a 30% off sale this weekend.

 

[kTHREE]

Back in the day I painted too many tanks every summer with a bright silver/aluminum self leveling paint. Zero prep, just slather it on. No idea what it was but it worked well and gas would barely take it off your hands.

 

[sberry]

Seems there was a tractor color close to that. Make some up, 1 qt brown, 2 white.

 

[inane2]

Seems there was a tractor color close to that. Make some up, 1 qt brown, 2 white.

Good call on that. I just double checked TSC's site. They do carry an "IH White" that may fit the bill. Going to try to stop by on the way home. Doesn't have to be a perfect match, just close.

 

[rlitman]

Yes I do. It appears they are having a 30% off sale this weekend.

They have a free membership where you get coupons. It seems that 20% off is pretty much all the time. 30% off is around a week every month or so, and 40% off is 4 or 5 times a year.

 

[sberry]

Good call on that. I just double checked TSC's site. They do carry an "IH White" that may fit the bill. Going to try to stop by on the way home. Doesn't have to be a perfect match, just close.

I think one of the older Ford colors is close also, get a qt of brown, dump some of it in to darken it a little.

 

[inane2]

Stopped by TSC, the IH white was pretty close. Went over to Lowe's and ended up with Rustoleum in "Almond", it was almost a perfect match.

I'm working indoors, but our temperature took a big drop with lots of rain and increased humidity (just in time for the Oaks and Derby). Going to work on prep and paint when the weather improves.


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[May Pop]

If you have a Menards they mix RustOPeum colors too.