How to clean HDG tanks

[Sea_Jay]

Recently acquired an old PST 3500psi tank with fresh hydro (4/24) --- traded tank-for-tank for an Al80 with good hydro (09/23)....fair deal?

This old PST tank has some remnants of other people's names on the top. Since it is hot-dipped galvanized, does anyone have recommendations on products I can safely use to clean everything up? Additionally, has anyone created stencils for their name/initials and used high-temp spray paint to mark the tanks? Thinking of going this route.

Thanks for any & all info.

 

[WarrenZ]

I use a sharpie or Paint Pen to mark my tanks not normally a big deal as my tanks are rarely out of my possession but it helps identify at hydro time. I use a sharpie to mark nitrox % on my tanks when I dont have tape available and it wipes off with acetone.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I typically use this on my HDG and AL brushed no-coat tanks: Pro Strength Remover - Goof Off

All of my tanks are marked with a simple sharpie. I need to go over the writing maybe once every couple of years.

 

[rx7diver]

Recently acquired an old PST 3500psi tank with fresh hydro (4/24) --- traded tank-for-tank for an Al80 with good hydro (09/23)....fair deal?

Depends. Both my PST HP80 (3,500 psig) and my PST HP100 (3,500 psig) are a bit too negative for me to dive safely in fresh water if I am wearing no wetsuit or my O'Neill 3/2 jumpsuit wetsuit. I don't know if this is the case for me for salt water, though.

Maybe this applies to you, too.

P.S.: An old-school PST 72 (71.2 cu ft at 2,250 + 10% psig) is perfect for me for this, though. About 20 years ago I traded a still-new (i.e., original hydro was still good) Luxfer Al80 for a PST 72 (manufactured in 1970). I still own this 72. It is my favorite cylinder for moderate-depth, recreational diving in a wetsuit, in MO/AR freshwater lakes.

rx7diver

 

[Tracy]

Acetone on a rag will normally remove paint pen and sharpie from the tanks.

I have paint stencils with my name, but I don't use it on tanks as they seem to turn over too often.

 

[-JD-]

I usually use acetone since I have it on hand, but @Divin'Papaw 's Goof-Off may be a good option as well.

ETA: @Tracy beat me to it. I have to remember to refresh when I get distracted in a conversation...