My 1,000 gallon propane white tank has been in need of a paint job ever
since I bought the house fifteen years ago.

Two questions about painting a propane tank.
1) Does it take regular house (brush on) paint?

2. Any idea of a pattern that might be interesting? (cow markings perhaps?)

On Sat, 10 Jul 2010 06:38:41 +0000 (UTC), Kat Rabun wrote:
1) Does it take regular house (brush on) paint?

NO!

You must use special propane tank paint.

Krylon spray ://www.krylon.com/products/propane_tank/ is 50 dollars for a
case of six 12 ounce cans of propane tank spray paint. Each can covers 15
to 20 square feet.

I don't know how many square feet are on a 1,000 gallon propane tank
though.

Van Sickle propane tank brush paint
https://www.hardwareworld.com/Alumin...n-p38H1LI.aspx
is 30 dollars a gallon.

I would guess a 1,000 gallon propane tank will take the whole case of
Krylon sprays (6 cans) or something like three gallons of Van Sickle ($90).

You also need to prime before you paint and seal after you paint but I
don't know what kinds of primer or sealers to use for outdoor propane
tanks.

On Jul 10, 3:01*am, Orak Listalavostok wrote:
On Sat, 10 Jul 2010 06:38:41 +0000 (UTC), Kat Rabun wrote:
1) Does it take regular house (brush on) paint?

NO!

You must use special propane tank paint.

Krylon spray ://www.krylon.com/products/propane_tank/is 50 dollars for a
case of six 12 ounce cans of propane tank spray paint. Each can covers 15
to 20 square feet.

I don't know how many square feet are on a 1,000 gallon propane tank
though.

Van Sickle propane tank brush painthttps://www.hardwareworld.com/Aluminium-Propane-Tank-Paint-1-Gallon-p...
is 30 dollars a gallon.

I would guess a 1,000 gallon propane tank will take the whole case of
Krylon sprays (6 cans) or something like three gallons of Van Sickle ($90).

You also need to prime before you paint and seal after you paint but I
don't know what kinds of primer or sealers to use for outdoor propane
tanks.

i would call and ask the propane supplier, often the tank is owned by
the supplier ask nice perhaps you can get a free re paint?

On Jul 10, 2:38*am, Kat Rabun katspianostudio...@Use-Author-Supplied-
Address.invalid wrote:
My 1,000 gallon propane white tank has been in need of a paint job ever
since I bought the house fifteen years ago.

Two questions about painting a propane tank.
1) Does it take regular house (brush on) paint?

2. Any idea of a pattern that might be interesting? (cow markings perhaps?)

Don't use any dark colors. They make the tank hotter when the sun is
out, therefore increasing the odds of the pop-off valve (safety valve)
opening. White or silver are the most common because they reflect the
suns rays and keep the tank cooler.

Hank

On Jul 10, 1:38*am, Kat Rabun katspianostudio...@Use-Author-Supplied-
Address.invalid wrote:
My 1,000 gallon propane white tank has been in need of a paint job ever
since I bought the house fifteen years ago.

Two questions about painting a propane tank.
1) Does it take regular house (brush on) paint?

2. Any idea of a pattern that might be interesting? (cow markings perhaps?)

House paints are latex and not the most rust resistant for metal,
rustoleum is a good brand, epoxy would be even better, has it been
rusting for 15 years, tanks do rust through and leak. Go to a real
paint store Sherwin William paint is probaly used on more commercial
metal than any other brand.

On Jul 10, 2:01*am, Orak Listalavostok wrote:
On Sat, 10 Jul 2010 06:38:41 +0000 (UTC), Kat Rabun wrote:
1) Does it take regular house (brush on) paint?

NO!

You must use special propane tank paint.

Krylon spray ://www.krylon.com/products/propane_tank/is 50 dollars for a
case of six 12 ounce cans of propane tank spray paint. Each can covers 15
to 20 square feet.

I don't know how many square feet are on a 1,000 gallon propane tank
though.

Van Sickle propane tank brush painthttps://www.hardwareworld.com/Aluminium-Propane-Tank-Paint-1-Gallon-p...
is 30 dollars a gallon.

I would guess a 1,000 gallon propane tank will take the whole case of
Krylon sprays (6 cans) or something like three gallons of Van Sickle ($90).

You also need to prime before you paint and seal after you paint but I
don't know what kinds of primer or sealers to use for outdoor propane
tanks.

You dont need special propane tank paint , there is alot better than
Krylon , by many x better.

On Sat, 10 Jul 2010 06:38:41 +0000 (UTC), Kat Rabun
wrote:

My 1,000 gallon propane white tank has been in need of a paint job ever
since I bought the house fifteen years ago.

Two questions about painting a propane tank.
1) Does it take regular house (brush on) paint?

2. Any idea of a pattern that might be interesting? (cow markings perhaps?)

I'd ask the supplier. Might be time for a new tank.

Otherwise- somewhere in my travels I've seen one painted up like a
pink pig.

Jim

Perhaps build a lean-to for shade?

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Hustlin' Hank" wrote in message
...

Don't use any dark colors. They make the tank hotter when the sun is
out, therefore increasing the odds of the pop-off valve (safety valve)
opening. White or silver are the most common because they reflect the
suns rays and keep the tank cooler.

Hank

On Sat, 10 Jul 2010 07:25:24 -0400, Jim Elbrecht wrote:

Otherwise- somewhere in my travels I've seen one painted up like a
pink pig.

You mean this one?
http://www.ohiobarns.com/othersites/...k06-32pig.html
or this one?
http://www.ohiobarns.com/othersites/...-34-01pig.html

From:
http://www.ohiobarns.com/othersites/...stictanks.html

On Sat, 10 Jul 2010 02:35:11 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

often the tank is owned by the supplier ask nice
perhaps you can get a free re paint?

I've had verious suppliers over the years. None of them charge rent. They
just charge $100 for the inspection upon the first fill, and then they
don't charge me again.

Nice thing about propane trucks are they're loud, slow, and big enough to
read the lettering on the side from afar. I called every company that drove
by my house over the years. None will own up to being the owner of the
tank. There was no paperwork whatsoever either.

Tank has a serial plate, but it only says who built the tank.

How do I get "free rent" when I'm not paying rent?

On Sat, 10 Jul 2010 04:03:28 -0700 (PDT), ransley wrote:

There is alot better than Krylon , by many x better.

Do I really need to put primer on first (over the existing paint), then the
paint, and then a "sealer".

What sealer would you use? Is that the same as a varnish? Or laquer?

On Sat, 10 Jul 2010 03:10:19 -0700 (PDT), Hustlin' Hank wrote:

Don't use any dark colors.

I know. My current propane supplier told me to paint it white or tan and
that dark tanks are illegal in this state.
http://www.propane101.com/propanetankcolor.htm

I wonder how many square feet are in a 1,000 gallon propane tank.

I found a cylinder surface area square foot calculator on the net but it's
so complicated you need a degree just to use it.
http://www.arachnoid.com/TankCalc/

Kat Rabun wrote:

Do I really need to put primer on first (over the existing paint), then the
paint, and then a "sealer".

There can be a substantial difference in the surface temp of the tank between
where the fill level is. Unless you plan to repaint the tank frequently, you
need to do everything you can to maximize the adhesion of the paint.

On Jul 10, 8:13*am, Kat Rabun katspianostudio...@Use-Author-Supplied-
Address.invalid wrote:
On Sat, 10 Jul 2010 04:03:28 -0700 (PDT), ransley wrote:
There is alot better than Krylon , by many x better.

Do I really need to put primer on first (over the existing paint), then the
paint, and then a "sealer".

What sealer would you use? Is that the same as a varnish? Or laquer?

You need to wash and clean it real well, is there any rust? That could
be serious if its bad, the finish should be sanded if its glossy but
you said 15 years so the gloss should be long gone. For my tanks I use
a drill with wire brush to remove rust and prime with Rustoleum rusty
metal primer, Over good old paint no primer is usualy necessary
unless it is chalking, if chalking it needs special cleaning. Since
you dont know paint, take a few photos of it to a real paint store
like Sherwin Williams and let them direct you on how and what to do
and what to use from start to finish. Without seeing a photo im just
guessing, and any rust can ruin a tank fast. If it gets complete shade
it can be any color otherwise white or only a very light color should
be used, photos and pro advise by seeing them are best. A quart of
paint may be all thats needed and rolling on a few coats can be 4 x as
thick as spray cans. Alot of sprays like Krylon are heavily modified
over the years to not produce air pollution so quality of product I
dont trust to a commercial grade product in a can. All the water
towers and bridges ive seen are sherwin williams paint , often a 2
part catylised epoxy, but even a good Oil house pant will do, and beat
latex, latex breathes more than oil and doesnt protect as well from
moisture and rust, rust is the main enemy of your tank. Cleaning and
prep and the most important issue for a long life job, so take a photo
and go to a real Paint store, not HD or Menards.

As to finding surface area. Just consider the tank to be a cylinder,
don't factor on the curved ends.

The formula is pi x d x l, where d = diameter, and l = length. Add
about 20% for correction factor, for the ends, and you're pretty
close.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Kat Rabun" wrote
in message ...
On Sat, 10 Jul 2010 03:10:19 -0700 (PDT), Hustlin' Hank wrote:

Don't use any dark colors.

I know. My current propane supplier told me to paint it white or tan and
that dark tanks are illegal in this state.
http://www.propane101.com/propanetankcolor.htm

I wonder how many square feet are in a 1,000 gallon propane tank.

I found a cylinder surface area square foot calculator on the net but it's
so complicated you need a degree just to use it.
http://www.arachnoid.com/TankCalc/

Measure the circumference. Measure the height. Multiply. Measure the
radius. Pi r2 x 2 Add them all. Close enough.

On Jul 10, 1:38*am, Kat Rabun katspianostudio...@Use-Author-Supplied-
Address.invalid wrote:
My 1,000 gallon propane white tank has been in need of a paint job ever
since I bought the house fifteen years ago.

Two questions about painting a propane tank.
1) Does it take regular house (brush on) paint?

2. Any idea of a pattern that might be interesting? (cow markings perhaps?)

We have seen pigs, cows, Dachshunds and hot dogs around here, some
very artful. I doubt if they used special paint, but I would keep it
light.

On Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:05:34 GMT, "Mina O."
wrote:

On Sat, 10 Jul 2010 07:25:24 -0400, Jim Elbrecht wrote:

Otherwise- somewhere in my travels I've seen one painted up like a
pink pig.

You mean this one?
http://www.ohiobarns.com/othersites/...k06-32pig.html
or this one?
http://www.ohiobarns.com/othersites/...-34-01pig.html

From:
http://www.ohiobarns.com/othersites/...stictanks.html

Looks similar- but the one I saw was in northern NY or Vermont.

Jim

"Kat Rabun" wrote

My 1,000 gallon propane white tank has been in need of a paint job ever
since I bought the house fifteen years ago.

Two questions about painting a propane tank.
1) Does it take regular house (brush on) paint?

It can but you really want a good paint this time because it's a fairly
awkward job and a better (oil based) paint will last longer. Like the
others said, get every spec of rust off with a wire 'dremmel' (need not be
named that, you want an electric drill with the wire brush attachment to
make this go fast and do NOT skip the safety goggles! Flying rust bts in
your eyes are very bad juju). Light colored paints only. Optimal is white
or silver as others have said. A hot tank will release it's load on you
through the safety valve. This is why in hot climate spots, they often have
a little roof shed over them, open at the sides but shading it.

2. Any idea of a pattern that might be interesting? (cow markings
perhaps?)

Grin, I have indeed seen ones with designs. Done in very light pastels on
white. The cutest one was painted white with a little pale pastel pink
'piggy' outline with silver 'toenails' on the 'legs'. It's fine to dress it
up a little as long as you stick to very light shades. Check the links
below then call your propane supplier who will know the rules for your area.

http://www.ehow.com/way_6149600_colo...gas-tanks.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_5845959_deco...ane-tanks.html

On Jul 10, 9:15*am, Kat Rabun katspianostudio...@Use-Author-Supplied-
Address.invalid wrote:
On Sat, 10 Jul 2010 03:10:19 -0700 (PDT), Hustlin' Hank wrote:
Don't use any dark colors.

I know. My current propane supplier told me to paint it white or tan and
that dark tanks are illegal in this state.http://www.propane101.com/propanetankcolor.htm

I wonder how many square feet are in a 1,000 gallon propane tank.

I found a cylinder surface area square foot calculator on the net but it's
so complicated you need a degree just to use it.http://www.arachnoid.com/TankCalc/

Square feet or Cubic feet? Square feet of the exposed tank sides and
ends? Square feet of the portion that is liquid?

If you just want the square feet of what you are painting, just
measure the circumference and then the length. Take the circumference
x length. Then measure the diameter of the ends and then the
calculation would be DxDx2 for the ends. Add the results together and
you have the approx area to be painted.

Hank

On Jul 23, 2:55*am, wrote:
On Sat, 10 Jul 2010 00:01:40 -0700, Orak Listalavostok

wrote:
You must use special propane tank paint.

Why do they need special paint? *Just curious....
I can understand not using latex house paint, but I'd think any oil
based paint (like Rustoleum) would work.

They dont, dont believe everything you read here. Rustoleum was the
standard until epoxys and other high tech coatings came out, it
probably used to have lead and was better but works today.

responding to
http://www.homeownershub.com/mainten...ea-452502-.htm
tcrankwa wrote:

Use a decent acrylic enamel. Don\'t paint over the rating plate - it has
to be legible.

"tcrankwa" wrote in message
ups.com...
responding to
http://www.homeownershub.com/mainten...ea-452502-.htm

At my cabin, the talented owner painted the hot water tank and propane tank
with acrylics. It was mountain scenes, waterfalls, fish, squirrels. The
tank was installed in 1986, the date she painted it on. We drain it every
season, and it is still functioning. The outside propane tank gets buried
in snow every year, and the pictures of squirrels, pine branches and pine
cones are starting to fade. It was a very good paint job.

I imagine you could come up with some very nice things, maybe natural like
that, or something out of the box funny.

Steve

Steve B wrote the following:
"tcrankwa" wrote in message
ups.com...

responding to
http://www.homeownershub.com/mainten...ea-452502-.htm


At my cabin, the talented owner painted the hot water tank and propane tank
with acrylics. It was mountain scenes, waterfalls, fish, squirrels. The
tank was installed in 1986, the date she painted it on. We drain it every
season, and it is still functioning. The outside propane tank gets buried
in snow every year, and the pictures of squirrels, pine branches and pine
cones are starting to fade. It was a very good paint job.

I imagine you could come up with some very nice things, maybe natural like
that, or something out of the box funny.

Steve

I saw one painted like the Beatles' Yellow Submarine.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

My 1,000 gallon propane white tank has been in need of a paint job ever
since I bought the house fifteen years ago.

Two questions about painting a propane tank.
1) Does it take regular house (brush on) paint?

2. Any idea of a pattern that might be interesting? (cow markings perhaps?)


I saw one painted like the Beatles' Yellow Submarine.

Or, the Oscar Meyer Wiener Mobile!