Replacing Propane Tank

A reputable Propane distributor is qualified to assess and repair (clean & paint) that tank. They do it all the time to their home tanks that are in caustic environments.

I would be very cautious sandblasting any propane cylinder or tank. Sandblasting weakens the metal! Anyone doing this type of work should be certified under ASME requirements.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
OP was informed/reminded on couple of his previous posts about re-certification and was given links to the ASME/NFPA standards/chapters concerning ASME propane Tanks.

His original problem stemmed from propane vendor not re-filling his propane tank because of the rusted condition (think propane vendor told him it was out of date and needed re-certification so he would go away----or buy new tank from him)

I am the OP and was never given that link. However, I did submit the last post in a thread where that link was given. That's about as close as we get.

THAT link addressed portable cylinders and doesn't indicate the difference with ASME tanks. A propane supplier that's been engrained with the idea that all propane vessels are portable cylinders could have difficulty with a customer that insists his vessel is in compliance.

But here's the smoking gun:
www.phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/PHMSA/DownloadableFiles/smalllpgas-chapt3.pdf
It describes ASME tank construction perfectly for what we have in our Class A's. It indicates no re-inspection according to this document. It doesn't have an official US DOT or PHMSA seal/logo/whatever but that's good enough for me. I got it by doing a search for 'propane' at US DOT Pipeline, Hazardous Materials and Safety Administration's website:
http://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/regs/sp-a/approvals/cylinders

The jury is out whether my RV shop is a crook or ignorant of regulations. The rust is a major turn-off but shouldn't be an issue with tank integrity. He should know that.

Here's that link on portable cylinders again:
www.phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/PHMSA/DownloadableFiles/Files/Hazmat/requal_propane_cylinders.pdf

I'm going to print both copies and be prepared for the next propane purchase. This has been a real education.

Guess I'll start looking for sandblasting equipment.

Thanks everyone.

Best,
- bob

past-MIdirector wrote:
Permanent mount tanks do not require any recertification so why is this
RV shop saying it needs a recertification? I would take the MH to a shop and have them sand blast the tank or wire brush it yourself. I'd then repaint it with Rustoleum paint. My old 78 Winnebago is parked at a campground and they still have the old tank filled, they usually last the life of the RV. I wire brushed and painted that tank 20 years ago before I sold it.

X-2, I went to a local propane company last week and was told the same thing that Joseph posted here!

I wish I had a picture of my tank before it was sandblasted. Between spending 16 years in New York state and being on a Holiday Rambler with an aluminum body shell (electrolysis) it looked pretty awful. Areas of my tank that cleaned up beautifully looked very similar to the first post pictures. The rust forms flakey scale which looks worse than it is. If the OP decides to sandblast it, it's a simple matter to take it off and cover the valves and information placard with silver vent tape prior to sandblasting and repainting. My tank is a 32 gallon tank and it cost me $50 to have it sandblasted and primered and $20 for paint. Not a bad price to pay for a tank that could easily be mistaken as being brand new.

Steve

Agreed, re-certification is not involved on permanently mounted tanks.

BUT (ya, big but) looking at the pictures in the first post in this thread, I sure wouldn't want to be sitting on 20 gallons of propane at over 150 PSI in THAT tank!

Vapor Pressure in PSIG at 100 degrees Fahrenheit 172

past-MIdirector wrote:
Permanent mount tanks do not require any recertification so why is this
RV shop saying it needs a recertification? I would take the MH to a shop and have them sand blast the tank or wire brush it yourself. I'd then repaint it with Rustoleum paint. My old 78 Winnebago is parked at a campground and they still have the old tank filled, they usually last the life of the RV. I wire brushed and painted that tank 20 years ago before I sold it.

OP was informed/reminded on couple of his previous posts about re-certification and was given links to the ASME/NFPA standards/chapters concerning ASME propane Tanks.

His original problem stemmed from propane vendor not re-filling his propane tank because of the rusted condition (think propane vendor told him it was out of date and needed re-certification so he would go away----or buy new tank from him)

I had a tank on my RV that looked badly rusted, mainly on the bottom. I took it in and had it sandblasted and even the guy at the sandblasting shop was amazed at how much of the rust "damage" was simply cosmetic. I repainted it light gray and the tank now looks as if it was brand new.

FWIW your RV shop is either a crook or an ignoramus. There is no recertification for propane tanks only for propane cylinders. Cylinders (like for your BBQ grill) are only about 1/4 thick as that tank of yours and that is why they have to be periodically recertified. How do I know this? I researched it on the internet and now keep a copy of my research in my glove box to show the next crook/ignoramus who tries to hassle me when I purchase propane.
Steve

Argosy24 wrote:
Rustoleum makes an epoxy appliance paint real close to the off white of a propane tank. It's a single part paint so I'm not sure how much 'epoxy' it really is but it seems to be pretty durable, I painted my tank 6 years ago. It has a few small rust spots but nothing that will need attention for probably 6 more years.

Agree. If you keep up with it, the tanks will last forever. But if severely rusted, could be a potential BOMB.

Rustoleum makes an epoxy appliance paint real close to the off white of a propane tank. It's a single part paint so I'm not sure how much 'epoxy' it really is but it seems to be pretty durable, I painted my tank 6 years ago. It has a few small rust spots but nothing that will need attention for probably 6 more years.