Forum Discussion

nanannjen's avatar
nanannjen
Explorer
Jun 01, 2015

Rusty propane line

I have been trying to get a few rust spots off of my TT frame and bumper...looked under the trailer and noticed the propane line (galvanized?) looks completely rusted. Is this a problem? I brushed off one section with a wire brush and applied Ospho to convert the rust. Do I need to protect the rest of the line in a similar manner? Maybe this is overkill but I'm going on the notion that no rust is good. Anyone run into this, what have you done? Thanks!

8 Replies

  • hohenwald48's avatar
    hohenwald48
    Explorer
    Jun 15, 2015
    Unless you have some odd circumstance, the trailer will be long in the junk yard before the rusty pipe becomes a problem. Now if you just don't like the looks that's another issue.
  • Bigbird65's avatar
    Bigbird65
    Explorer
    Jun 14, 2015
    I use a pad of Scotch Brite to knock the loose rust off then spray with black Rust Oleum. Very simple to do.
  • 69_Avion's avatar
    69_Avion
    Explorer
    Jun 14, 2015
    mobeewan wrote:
    GordonThree wrote:
    Should be black iron and not galvanized. I forget why, but you're not supposed to mix zinc pipe and natural gas. Paint it if it looks ugly. It'll take the rust forever to eat through.


    They worry about flakes of the galvanizing material coming loose inside the pipe and blocking flow to the appliances.


    That is correct. The galvanized flakes can clog the orifices in the appliance.
  • mobeewan's avatar
    mobeewan
    Explorer
    Jun 14, 2015
    GordonThree wrote:
    Should be black iron and not galvanized. I forget why, but you're not supposed to mix zinc pipe and natural gas. Paint it if it looks ugly. It'll take the rust forever to eat through.


    They worry about flakes of the galvanizing material coming loose inside the pipe and blocking flow to the appliances.
  • hbillsmith's avatar
    hbillsmith
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2015
    Naval jelly to remove the rust. Wire brush to finish the cleanup. Then black rustoleum spray paint. Totally not needed but sure looks a lot prettier.
  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2015
    Should be black iron and not galvanized. I forget why, but you're not supposed to mix zinc pipe and natural gas. Paint it if it looks ugly. It'll take the rust forever to eat through.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2015
    Probably a black iron pipe and they do rust. Your call on how much rust is acceptable. I have one under my rig and it does have some rust. It is 44 yrs old this year.

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