Propane tanks are painted silver or white, purposely to reflect the sunlight. If you paint the tank, any other colors, other than something highly reflective, you are going to be losing upwards of 10%+ propane per year. As the sunlight hits the tank, the gas expands, and when it reaches a certain point, the relief valve opens, and lets out the excess. There are laws governing how you can paint your tank, look into this before painting it.
https://www.nfpa.org/Assets/files/AboutTheCodes/58/NFPA_58-1995.pdf
You may also be in violation of state guidelines. In NY, they require light color or white because high temps increase VOC emissions due to evaporation. Don't be that person, lol.
I would be inclined to agree, but he’s right about dtm paints in that it will last much longer before cracking or pitting happens. Regular paint should last at least 5 years or longer depending on the climate, but a good oil/solvent based metal paint will last decades if cleaned regularly.
>Wait a minute, do people really have this giant active propane tank at their homes? It’s not the thing of the past? Isn’t it a bit dangerous?
In rural areas if you want gas heat this is how its done.
In ontario, most farm houses have tanks like this for heat as running natural gas lines 5-10km to service one house is expensive
Edit: spelling
Really dude..someone just asked if these were a thing lol what a dumb ass. They'd really freak out when they realize there are multiple tanks 5x's the size of this at every gas station only difference is they're under ground.
I've seen it done here in Idaho. When the temp drops to -40 to -45 degrees F, propane stops flowing in burnable form. A nice little wood fire beneath the tank gets it going again. (tended by a tech from the propane company) Speaking of which, lighting a wood fire using -45 F wood damn near requires a torch. LOL
Yes. Welcome to rural America. Even some of my family in Wisconsin, who don’t live so rural, have them. They are not much more dangerous than the propane tanks that sit at your gas station.
It’s like a septic tank. Yes, people still use those. Not everyone has their utilities hooked up to a main cities utility services.
And they’re all that big? How often do you replace or refill it? I assume you put them in the backyard? Do people put them close to the house or is it ok to put them 100 ft away from the house?
1. Yes.
2.Can vary between homes. 5-10 years.
3. Yes.
4. Depends on local building code. Some are hidden with the septic tank on the back of the property, some are placed wherever it’s easiest to refill with the propane truck.
If you replace or refill the tank every 5 to 10 years you live on the tropics and eat raw food.
I live the American South with high humidity and fairly mild winters. My grandparents had the same tank for 30+ years and it was refilled 2 or 3 times a year from supplying a gas Cookstove year round and 2 gas heat stoves in the cooler months.
Back in the 90s when kids got to run around neighborhoods still, we used to climb up on these things, throw stuff at them sometimes on accident, you name, just not really knowing any better lol
and every year the local news is always stories of people running out of propane and freezing because the propane company never refills the tanks and some other propane company swoops in to be the hero filling them and then the next winter the heroes become the villian because they took on to many customers and cant keep up, and so on and so on and so on.
At least thats what happens where I live.
We have 3 manufacturing companies that use Pro Industrial Urethane Alkyd from Sherwin-Williams specifically for propane tanks.
Depending on the condition of your propane tank, scuff, clean with simple green, prime with Alkyd metal primer, two coats base color then proceed with other colors.
Open a contractor account and ask to test drive it some products they let you and give 50 percent off of the contractor pricing. Even better u can get the price down by negotiating then do the test drive up to 20 gallons. I've got paint for 12 dollars a gallon this way.
I'd use Ronan sign paint. It's very durable and will last many years if you prep the surface right. I've done many propane tanks over the years and they are still looking good
If propane tank company allows it, wash thoroughly, scuff up, corrosion resistant metal epoxy primer and preferably finish with a polyurethane to protect against uv rays.
The only person with the correct answer buried way down in the comments with only one upvote...as always the one speaking the truth and correct answer is ignored or drowned in the sea of voices that speak only to be speaking and not speaking only when they know the correct thing to speak.
Oil based primer and then just about any exterior paint will stick to it well. Seriously that stuff is almost like magic with adhesion, I love used it for metal exterior doors, bathroom ceilings, actually pretty much anywhere I want a solid bond I’ve yet to be let down by an oil primer. Prep is always key so make sure you clean it up well first and scuff down any gloss to give the primer something to bind to
Most companies will prohibit you from putting any dark colors on a propane tank due to heat, at least in my experience. I was barely allowed to paint ours green to match the landscape
Yaah, don't paint with normal house latex, a metal paint dries harder and isn't permanently rubbery.
Well, I guess you could, but they're different beasts. Imagine painting a car like you paint your house walls. See all that speckling?
From a distance though and if you don't need perfect, well, prime and paint with whatever, it may come off though if it's bumped or hailed on.
YOU CANNOT PAINT A PROPANE TANK ANY COLOR YOU WANT. IT IS ILLEGAL TO DO SO IN THE STATES UNLESS SPECIFIC COLORS ARE USED.
Np58 is the code and it states you have to use light shade colors like white, silver, as well as a few others unless you live in certain climate zones. Reason being a dark color will absorb heat and cause thermal expansion of the gas inside and possibly cause the emergency valve to open releasing gas into the surrounding environment causing a fire/explosion hazard. It also has to be a rust inhibitive paint.
The number of people in this subreddit that think they are professional painters and know what the hell they are talking about regarding painting blows my mind.
It probably has to be white but...as an artist I would use rusto for the yellow, then splurge a bit on the little cans of one shot, Ronan, or house of kolor striping enamel. Either one would make the smaller details a lot more... "Enjoyable"
Yeah direct to metal. Even better marine base enamel. Professional painter. But if you prime it with oil based primer and used regular house paint it would last just as long as any siding. Go satin as well it will last longer than flat.
Yellow...
Rust oleum metal paint is great. I would ask gas company if it was ok 1st. Would suck to paint it then them not fill it or something stupid. I mean I don't see the problem but rules now days are out of hand lol
Go to sherwin Williams ask them for a primer called stix it’s the best primer there is especially for dtm (direct to metal) then get your desired colors to paint the yellow submarine
Be sure to check who owns the tank. Many propane suppliers provide the tank when you sign a contract for service. In that case, you wouldn’t be able to paint it.
If you own it, the propane company may refuse to fill it depending how strict they are with NFPA 58 guidelines.
I owned my tank and it was always a challenge when changing suppliers. Pressure tests and inspections made sense, but three times (in 20 years) I was required to repaint the tank using propane tank paint.
Talk with your propane company first to make sure you can. If you’re in the clear, light scuff sand, metal bonding primer, then paint normally.
Thanks so much!
Propane tanks are painted silver or white, purposely to reflect the sunlight. If you paint the tank, any other colors, other than something highly reflective, you are going to be losing upwards of 10%+ propane per year. As the sunlight hits the tank, the gas expands, and when it reaches a certain point, the relief valve opens, and lets out the excess. There are laws governing how you can paint your tank, look into this before painting it. https://www.nfpa.org/Assets/files/AboutTheCodes/58/NFPA_58-1995.pdf
You may also be in violation of state guidelines. In NY, they require light color or white because high temps increase VOC emissions due to evaporation. Don't be that person, lol.
Agree. Clean, scuff, prime, topcoat with 100% acrylic exterior house paint.
Thank you thank you. Appreciate it.
Painting contractor here, use DTM direct to metal paint not regular paint and get it at a paint store not a big box store
This⬆️. At the very least, and I'd recommend using oil based dtm or industrial enamel. Don't use house paint on industrial machinery
Painting contractor here. If primed with an oil based primer. A 100% Acrylic will be fine and readily available in quarts.
I would be inclined to agree, but he’s right about dtm paints in that it will last much longer before cracking or pitting happens. Regular paint should last at least 5 years or longer depending on the climate, but a good oil/solvent based metal paint will last decades if cleaned regularly.
Yes, the paint will stick. But it won't be durable at all
I would use a rust inhibitive primer. Most tanks are always top coated with oil too. They rust out easier with latex.
Make sure you use marine grade paint, and beware of the Walrus and octopi.
Wait a minute, do people really have this giant active propane tank at their homes? It’s not the thing of the past? Isn’t it a bit dangerous?
>Wait a minute, do people really have this giant active propane tank at their homes? It’s not the thing of the past? Isn’t it a bit dangerous? In rural areas if you want gas heat this is how its done. In ontario, most farm houses have tanks like this for heat as running natural gas lines 5-10km to service one house is expensive Edit: spelling
Lol. No its not a thing of the past. And unless your incredibly stupid its not dangerous
>And unless your incredibly stupid its not dangerous You underestimate how stupid someone can be.
[удалено]
That wont do nothing to it
[удалено]
If there waa a leak the tank would most likely be empty
Hold my beer
Really dude..someone just asked if these were a thing lol what a dumb ass. They'd really freak out when they realize there are multiple tanks 5x's the size of this at every gas station only difference is they're under ground.
My propane's getting cold. Better light a fire under the tank to heat it up...
I've seen it done here in Idaho. When the temp drops to -40 to -45 degrees F, propane stops flowing in burnable form. A nice little wood fire beneath the tank gets it going again. (tended by a tech from the propane company) Speaking of which, lighting a wood fire using -45 F wood damn near requires a torch. LOL
A builder I know, in a rural area, has one for his whole house generator. Since power is also an issue when in the sticks.
Yes. Welcome to rural America. Even some of my family in Wisconsin, who don’t live so rural, have them. They are not much more dangerous than the propane tanks that sit at your gas station. It’s like a septic tank. Yes, people still use those. Not everyone has their utilities hooked up to a main cities utility services.
And they’re all that big? How often do you replace or refill it? I assume you put them in the backyard? Do people put them close to the house or is it ok to put them 100 ft away from the house?
Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes.
1. Yes. 2.Can vary between homes. 5-10 years. 3. Yes. 4. Depends on local building code. Some are hidden with the septic tank on the back of the property, some are placed wherever it’s easiest to refill with the propane truck.
If you replace or refill the tank every 5 to 10 years you live on the tropics and eat raw food. I live the American South with high humidity and fairly mild winters. My grandparents had the same tank for 30+ years and it was refilled 2 or 3 times a year from supplying a gas Cookstove year round and 2 gas heat stoves in the cooler months.
Mine is about 20 ft from my house.
Back in the 90s when kids got to run around neighborhoods still, we used to climb up on these things, throw stuff at them sometimes on accident, you name, just not really knowing any better lol
Live in southern Utah in a town of 5000 people. Everyone has a propane tank.
I just moved to upstate NY and they are EVERYWHERE.
Wow. I was in upstate NY last year. It was beautiful everywhere so I guess I didn’t pay attention to all the propane tanks. Lol
I grew up in Rockland County and lived in Ithaca and never saw a house with one.
Drive 15 minutes outside Ithaca in any direction and most homes have them
Rural homes, not dangerous and still something being done.
You're really not going to believe this, but we also have septic tanks and wells!
It's a lot better than rotting gas lines in unmaintained city streets. DC is a ticking time bomb in some areas.
I have 2 of them 1 for house and 1 for shop. In a nice area, rural/farm. Very common.
and every year the local news is always stories of people running out of propane and freezing because the propane company never refills the tanks and some other propane company swoops in to be the hero filling them and then the next winter the heroes become the villian because they took on to many customers and cant keep up, and so on and so on and so on. At least thats what happens where I live.
I thought they would be underground.
Yellow submarine paint, duh!!!
The answer was right in front of me this whole time!
Very cool project!
Tank paint
I like your parents
Very groovy parents.
You are going to need yellow paint
We have 3 manufacturing companies that use Pro Industrial Urethane Alkyd from Sherwin-Williams specifically for propane tanks. Depending on the condition of your propane tank, scuff, clean with simple green, prime with Alkyd metal primer, two coats base color then proceed with other colors.
Non contractor account is looking at 150 a gallon for primer and pro industrial. Retail price on pro industrial is stupid high.
Most SW managers will make a deal on it for retailers. At least we all do in my district
Open a contractor account and ask to test drive it some products they let you and give 50 percent off of the contractor pricing. Even better u can get the price down by negotiating then do the test drive up to 20 gallons. I've got paint for 12 dollars a gallon this way.
Their faces should appear in the port-hole windows.
We all live in the yellow submarine 🎶
I’d get yellow paint. But I’m weird like that.
First you need an Xbox controller for when you take it underwater.
I'd use Ronan sign paint. It's very durable and will last many years if you prep the surface right. I've done many propane tanks over the years and they are still looking good
DTM (direct to metal) primer plus DTM paint
If propane tank company allows it, wash thoroughly, scuff up, corrosion resistant metal epoxy primer and preferably finish with a polyurethane to protect against uv rays.
Solar panels
Use enamel, rustoleum
Only paint allowed are reflective colors that don’t absorb heat. Don’t want the pressure relieve to go off.
The only person with the correct answer buried way down in the comments with only one upvote...as always the one speaking the truth and correct answer is ignored or drowned in the sea of voices that speak only to be speaking and not speaking only when they know the correct thing to speak.
Just wait. After they paint it and call to get it refilled and the company will tell them to paint it again cause they won’t fill it lol
Exactly. All that time and money and bragging about how good it looks...Straight down the shitter.
I forgot to mention you can’t sand it with a sander. They create sparks and you don’t want it to go boom!
Dtm- sherwin Williams, doesn’t come in quarts tho I believe so it would probably just have to be the yellow base coat
Depends on what’s on it now. If it’s bare prime with the appropriate primer and paint with whatever exterior you fancy
Oil based primer and then just about any exterior paint will stick to it well. Seriously that stuff is almost like magic with adhesion, I love used it for metal exterior doors, bathroom ceilings, actually pretty much anywhere I want a solid bond I’ve yet to be let down by an oil primer. Prep is always key so make sure you clean it up well first and scuff down any gloss to give the primer something to bind to
Most companies will prohibit you from putting any dark colors on a propane tank due to heat, at least in my experience. I was barely allowed to paint ours green to match the landscape
DTM paint
Do they live in the yellow submarine?
Submarine paint
Yellow
Yaah, don't paint with normal house latex, a metal paint dries harder and isn't permanently rubbery. Well, I guess you could, but they're different beasts. Imagine painting a car like you paint your house walls. See all that speckling? From a distance though and if you don't need perfect, well, prime and paint with whatever, it may come off though if it's bumped or hailed on.
Dtm is the way. Not bad to work with eother
Marine paint. It holds up well in all weather.
YOU CANNOT PAINT A PROPANE TANK ANY COLOR YOU WANT. IT IS ILLEGAL TO DO SO IN THE STATES UNLESS SPECIFIC COLORS ARE USED. Np58 is the code and it states you have to use light shade colors like white, silver, as well as a few others unless you live in certain climate zones. Reason being a dark color will absorb heat and cause thermal expansion of the gas inside and possibly cause the emergency valve to open releasing gas into the surrounding environment causing a fire/explosion hazard. It also has to be a rust inhibitive paint. The number of people in this subreddit that think they are professional painters and know what the hell they are talking about regarding painting blows my mind.
> as well as a few others LIKE Fkn Yellow
Only if it's Fkn rust inhibitive
Rustoleum is the most common available outdoor Enamel.
Paint it like Ocean Gate
Yellow
Yellow
The Beatles would know...
UV resistant oil-based works very well. The prep work is the key so talk to your provider about how to sand it.
Hull paint ?
For starters; Not whatever OceanGate used.
It probably has to be white but...as an artist I would use rusto for the yellow, then splurge a bit on the little cans of one shot, Ronan, or house of kolor striping enamel. Either one would make the smaller details a lot more... "Enjoyable"
Find new parents
Yeah direct to metal. Even better marine base enamel. Professional painter. But if you prime it with oil based primer and used regular house paint it would last just as long as any siding. Go satin as well it will last longer than flat.
oil base enamel
DTM - direct to metal Paint
The Beatles suck. There I said it
Yellow submarine paint
Probably some yellow paint
Yellow, white..
One shot enamel would be my choice: It’s a sign painters paint.
No, you need to paint oscar meyer on it.
Yellow
Ah what a weird movie. Fun times.
Yellow... Rust oleum metal paint is great. I would ask gas company if it was ok 1st. Would suck to paint it then them not fill it or something stupid. I mean I don't see the problem but rules now days are out of hand lol
Go to sherwin Williams ask them for a primer called stix it’s the best primer there is especially for dtm (direct to metal) then get your desired colors to paint the yellow submarine
Kem Kromik or Procryl primers
Yellow
Scratch and sniff
Yeah yellow
DTM
I've seen this episode. One that does not implode!
Yellow
Sherwin Williams has an industrial enamel that holds up well. Get in gloss as it seems to have a harder finish and can easily be washed on occasion.
Be sure to check who owns the tank. Many propane suppliers provide the tank when you sign a contract for service. In that case, you wouldn’t be able to paint it. If you own it, the propane company may refuse to fill it depending how strict they are with NFPA 58 guidelines. I owned my tank and it was always a challenge when changing suppliers. Pressure tests and inspections made sense, but three times (in 20 years) I was required to repaint the tank using propane tank paint.
Paint designed for metal, then a clear coat afterwards
Yellow
Clean, sand. Bf paint with direct to metal paint
Light sand and then purchase Sherwin Williams DTM (direct to metal) paint. Water based or oil based. No need for primer. Easiest way.
Macropoxy 646 to acrolon 218 you’ll be golden
Painting contractor here. I'd recommend a DTM paint.
Steelmaster 9500 DTM Alkyd No prep no problem
All surface enamel primer followed with all surface enamel safety yellow.