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Cleaning inside Compressor tank/Painting inside?

Com_VC

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 7, 2005
Messages
135
Location
Australia
Have a compresser here that I pulled the inspection plugs off, inside doesn't actually look too bad, it was dry inside there but there is some minor rust flaking which I would like to remove.

Was just wondering what the best way to clean this would be.

The inspection holes are about 1 3/4" so not as bad as some tanks.

Once I am done, would it be worth trying to coat it with something? It seems to be only the bottom part of the tank that the rust forms, which makes sense as that is where the water pools to.

Would a two pack epoxy primer be suitable even if I just coated the bottom section of the tank?

Thanks
 
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Kaizen

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Joined
Jan 9, 2015
Messages
6,948
Location
New England
Not sure if worth it. I have thought about this as well. Thought about gas tank sealer stuff. Basically put it in and roll it around to coat. Always thinking if it failed it would be worse


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MFolks

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 3, 2013
Messages
1,045
Location
Springfield Mo.
Kreem is one brand,I used that in on my old motorcycles gas tank, worked out well, MEK is the solvent in the sealer. Most motorcycle shops used to sell it.
 

PassnThru

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2010
Messages
6,511
Location
Bowling Green KY
I know that I drain my compressor tank on a regular basis and it usually includes rust colored water. I also know that it has done this since it was new.
Every compressor tank has rust inside.

Every single one of them.

I also understand that the tank will likely outlive me.
 

SGKent

Banned
Joined
Feb 12, 2010
Messages
1,959
Location
Citrus Heights CA
add a right angle pressure fitting at the bottom. Use steel pipe to extend that fitting to the side of the tank, add a lever valve, add another 90 and a fitting to attach a clear hose. Run the hose outside. Tape it or something so it won't come back thru the hole outside. When you are done open the lever valve and let the tank empty. you'll blow all the rust and water out. This will slow the rusting of the tank. It you are really that concerned the proper solution would be to have the tank tumbled until clean and tested every few years. There are places that do it.
 
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sberry

Banned
Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Messages
35,747
Location
Brethren, Michigan
Put the plug back in and run it. The internet has really made a lot of people "special". They have stuff that needs extra care than the other millions of them in service. If this is a warm clime where freezing isn't an issue you can modify the drain,,, I did the same as one above and have it piped thru the wall. When I read a comp thread on occasion it reminds me to kick the valve open a few seconds.
 
Last edited:

The Cobbler

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 24, 2013
Messages
25,911
Location
Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada
not sure that coating the inside is a plus. I'm thinking it would actually be worse .
and yes, only the bottom portion gets rusty. Tubalcain did a video on you tube where he cut open a rusted leaking tank, the bottom was disaster, the top portion was "like new steel"
 

Bretny

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 31, 2017
Messages
3,918
Location
Dutchess county NY
Put your air dryer between the pump and tank. You will get next to no water in the tank.

My 9yr old compressor just started having brown water coming out of the tank last year. And im in humid NY.
 
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