Stripping painted cylinders

[DogDiver]

Is there a method for removing paint from aluminum cylinders and steel cylinders. I have some older Fabers that can be sand blasted, and I have done this before. But the problem is repainting...and getting the paint to adhear to the cylinders. Is there someone that powder coats scuba tanks?

[billyf]

cold galvanizing

ZRC cold galvanizing compound

http://www.zrcworldwide.com/p_zrc.asp

ZRC Galvilite Galvanizing Repair Compound

http://www.zrcworldwide.com/p_galvilite.asp

use the aresol, 1 can of each for each tank
first use the galvanizing compound let dry then finish with the Galvilite.

[Alan Owens]

You strip tanks by diving the crap out of them!

[Daedalus]

There is a product called "aircraft stripper" you can find at most auto paint shops that you spray on, let sit, and the paint comes off in sheets. It smells like cancer and burns if you get any on your skin though so use gloves and work outside.

As for repainting, I have no idea.

[sskasser]

The aluminum ones are easy. Get a spray of paint stripper from Home Depot and spray. The paint bubbles off like acid-drenched flesh in a B horror flick!

The steels...go for the slightly more expensive airplane stripper and a brush. Even then, it took me a few rounds of treatment, and a lot of scraping, to get all three layers off. And definitely cover all skin that you want to keep. Even a splash when I was rinsing down the tanks made me think somebody had stuck a red-hot nail to my leg.

Shirley

[temrich]

Once the cylinder has been stripped, be sure to clean the tank with a laquer type material. Once it has been neutralized, prime the tank with basic automotive primer. After that, paint whatever color you want. I have done this to all of my alum. and steel tanks. I would watch blasting the tanks, you dont want to remove any of the metal.

[Cave Ranger]

You strip tanks by diving the crap out of them!

Based on the bouyancy skills or lack there of I see from some of you people all you would have to do is rotate your doubles a few inches after each dive and after 10-20 dives the exterior paint should be stripped from top to bottom.
I concur with Daedalus. Aircraft Stripper works great but wear goggles, protective outerwear, and a respirator. Keep it off of bare ground too. It's nasty stuff.

[bletso]

Find yourself a cylinder refurbishing/hydro facility in your area. We have a very expensive bead blaster that will remove the paint in about one minute. If you ask them, they may be willing to pass them through.

Dale