No explosions, please...

[nastyjones]

I want to be able to use power tools to sand my tank down before priming & painting (I have removed the badges & filled in the area w/bondo). I know sparks can ignite fumes no matter how much I rinse the tank out. I have heard filling it with water will allow me to use power tools but who wants to do that? I have also heard running the exhaust of another motor will supply enough carbon monoxide to also prevent an explosion.

My question is, is there anything less dangerous I can try?

[Souske]

Fill it with argon

[spyug]

Sand.Seriously, if you have washed and rinsed the tank and allowed it to air dry for a few days you will be fine. I've done 5 tanks over the last 8 years and have yet to blow myself up.

If you plug the openings it will lessen the chance of any sparks getting to any left over vapour but having said that I've yet to see any sparks from a small sander.I usually use a small 1/4 sheet sander on the roughest bits only then switch to hand sanding with wet and dry from about 320 grit through to 600. Not too time consuming and does a good job.

I'd be more concerned if trying to weld or braze on it. On the GS tank, when I got it the seams had been professionally welded but it still leaked at some pin holes. I plugged them with plumbers epoxy (impervious to gas, I tested) and they are still holding fine at 5 seasons now.

You'll be fine but whip down to the Armourey and borrow the bomb disposal suit for the weekend, just in case.

Cheers,
Spyug

[Big T]

Rinse it, set it out in the sun for a couple of days with all the cap, petcock, etc off

Fumes will then be insignificant

[DCrippa]

What about using a chemical treatment to remove the paint? Is there anything safe similar to peelaway http://www.paintremoval.com/

or paint stripper - that can be used for removing automotive paint? This peel away stuff works great for getting regular paint off old doors and brick walls... wonder if it'd work on the tank?


well here it is right from their site...

Auto Paint

To remove auto paint you can use the Peel Away® 7 or Smart Strip®. Keep in mind, this is not intended for removing graffiti from a car. It will remove the graffiti as well as the automotive paint. Order Peel Away® 7 | Order Smart Strip®


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Smart Strip™ is extremely effective in removing paint from dry wall. First do a "test patch" to determine how much time Smart Strip™ should remain on the painted dry wall. Generally, less than two hours should be sufficient. You do not want leave it too long and possible remove the paper portion of the dry wall. Go slowly and if necessary re-apply Smart Strip™. You will amazed with the results. Order Smart Strip™ Paint Remover

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[OldVet66]

I got some stripper at Home depot that was a new product rated to remove epoxy paint. It will remove just about anything including thin nitrile gloves.

[cowboyup3371]

+1 on the stripper. Get aircraft stripper from your local paint shop; just ensure you use gloves, wear a mask, and do the work outside or in a WELL VENTILATED shop. It's what I used and took the old paint right off. Course I had to do it a few times as there were about 4 layers of paint.

[Big Rich]

Could fill it with used motor oil as well.

+1 to the stripper though.

[DCrippa]

Just be sure you have enough $1 bills...

oh nevermind