In a message dated 17/09/2007 5:15:06 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

Hi  folks:

Doing some work on my van that involves disconnecting the  propane lines =
and thought I would go ahead and repaint the propane tank.  My first =
choice would be powder coating, but 400=B0 heat and propane do  not get =
along very well. I'm even concerned about using a wire brush on  this =
thing. As one person put it, I would end up waking up in the  hospital =
before I knew what happened if there was an explosion, if I woke  up at =
all!  How do people rejuvenate these tanks safely? I'm  thinking perhaps =
just navel jelly, and maybe an epoxy paint? Suggestions?  BTW, how heavy =
is this thing? Do I need a jack to drop  it?=20

Troy,  dropping the tanks is easy.  I use a floor jack to let it down
slowly.  It weighs something like 25 lbs so you could handle that without a  jack.
I rejuvenate these tanks here on a weekly basis.  Just did two  yesterday.
After you have the tank off set it outside and open the service  valve and let
it empty itself for a few hours.  Now, remove all the valves  an plug the bung
holes with threaded plugs.  Remove the data tag if is has  not already been
removed or it is the sort welded on with a continuous weld  around the
perimeter.  Now take the tank to your local sandblaster and have  them sandblast the
tank clean.  Then apply two coats of POR-15 as per their  directions.  The tank
will never rust again and look real purrty !

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
- Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10,  2007