Compressor Tank Question

[dkroth]

Would there be any downside to pumping a good dose of Fluid Film or Corrosion X into the tank through the inspection port?

I had the inspection plug open on my 33 year old Sanborn compressor this evening. The tank has some streaks of rust but nothing that looks more substantial than strong surface rust. I'd say it is 50/50 rust/bare metal throughout. Frankly, I was surprised.

After I got it all buttoned up and leak tested I looked at my bench as saw the can of Fluid Film sitting there.

Hmm.

If I could Fluid Film it, that tank would last the rest of my life.

Seems to me the worst thing that could happen would be some Fluid Film vapor coming out the hose. But I don't know how that would happen. It's a 60 gallon tank and the actual airflow going on inside the tank is pretty calm.







.

 

[Ing3018]

Not likely to be harmful to the tank. Think about the oily residue that accumulates in tanks after several years of use.
Whether it helps is more likely a matter of how much liquid water you let accumulate. The liquid water would tend to carry away the Fluid Film over time, I expect.

 

[Jswain]

If it's made it 33 years with nothing more than surface rust it might last the rest of your life with just staying on top of blowing out the moisture!

 

[kelpaso1]

Thing is, is even if you drained all the water and added oil to the tank, it will likely not coat the bottom of the tank unless it is 100% dry and baked on some how. The water will always settle on the bottom and the oil will float on top.

 

[jsaw]

Have to wonder also, if the fluid film, or it's
Residue might migrate out of the tank with the air. Would it attack air hoses or pressure regulators. I know that on humid days there is moisture in my airlines sometimes. Would fluid film migrate the same way?

 

[sberry]

We sure can come up with some schemes here.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Man, I HATE the smell of Fluid Film I can't imagine smelling that stuff every time I used an air tool!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Man, I HATE the smell of Fluid Film I can't imagine smelling that stuff every time I used an air tool!

Baa baaa !

 

[redmondjp]

Baa baaa !

It's a real thing! I have an old non-OPE propane tank that used to be on the neighbor's RV that I converted into a portable air tank about 15 years ago, and despite being used quite a bit, the air coming out still reeks of the odorant used in propane.

 

[matt_i]

I had similar thoughts. I took a 2" NPT threaded reducer out of the 60gal upright compressor a couple weeks back to change from a 1/2" out to a 1" out.

Fluid film didn't immediately come to mind, something like compressor oil might be better because the filtration is setup to take that out already. I'm not sure if FF would play well with the cyclonic filter or be re-entrained back into the airstream.

I also thought that just pouring in a small amount of liquid could benefit the welded area and bottom of the spherical endcap, around the bottom bung where moisture always naturally collects. Higher up its more incidental.

I ended up not doing anything. This compressor is ~23 yo.

 

[redmondjp]

You should be good for another 23 years! Draining the tank regularly works wonders.

 

[Zmann]

the smell of lanolin ( sheep wool) all over the shop no thanks lol

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd be afraid of painting something afterward and it spitting something out or causing a paint issue in the future.

 

[Jarwop]

How about a coating for a gas tank? https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...iner/redkote/4185410?q=gas+tank+coating&pos=3 Quart was about $30.

I pressure washed the rust from inside a 4 gal welder gas tank and could see daylight through it, Looked like a strainer, Coated with above and worked great. Dumped it in sloshed around and then emptied the remaining back into the can. Gave remainder to a coworker who coated his tractor diesel tank after welding a patch under the strap. It gets very hard when dried. We are both happy. Been thinking about using in a Quincy tank I pressure washed the **** out of and then hydro tested. Anybody tried?

 

[Showkey]

20 plus year old pump.........there’s likely to be a reasonable amount of oil ( aka rust prevent) in the bottom of the tank.