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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Stripping galvanizing from a propane tank

I have a 150 gallon propane tank that is galvanized and I am trying to remove the galvanizing without damaging the tank itself too much. I have tried grinding, which works but is very slow going, and then you also have the lead dust particles to worry about. I also thought about using muriatic acid ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] diluted down to remove this galvanizing coat. If anyone has any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.

Jim Whidden
architectural designer - Fort Myers, FL, United States
2007

Muriatic acid will very quickly strip the galvanizing, although galvanizing is thick and will require a reasonable amount of muriatic acid. But it isn't clear, when you say "without damaging the tank too much", whether the tank has become just a decorative item at this point. I would not attempt to strip galvanizing from a functional tank which is or will subsequently be pressurized.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

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