How do I clean air tanks?

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I assume we are talking about a air compressor here? If so, pretty hard to clean out. Are you using a filter/dryer/regulator of some sort? If not that would help. I cleaned the rust out of an old tank (fluid tank not air tank) by putting muriatic acid and gravel in it and then spinning it on a cement mixer for an hour or so. But if you do that to a air compressor tank the rust is just going to come back. Better to use a filter, dryer of some sort.
 
I assume we are talking about a air compressor here? If so, pretty hard to clean out. Are you using a filter/dryer/regulator of some sort? If not that would help. I cleaned the rust out of an old tank (fluid tank not air tank) by putting muriatic acid and gravel in it and then spinning it on a cement mixer for an hour or so. But if you do that to a air compressor tank the rust is just going to come back. Better to use a filter, dryer of some sort.
Ya small dual tank compressor I'll get filter thanks for the help
 
Bruce,

Tough one to remedy. I had the same problem and when it got to that point it was bad. My tank was rusted through to the point of no go junk. It had rusted out so much and so thin that I was afraid of using it. Rust is a problem because the tanks are not treated. You can drain it more often or put on a auto-draining device from Harbor Freight. Also, I would add a water filter to catch the last bit of moisture before it hits your tools.

Thanks
 
In order to 'do it right', you'll also have to treat the inside with some sort of coating or plating to prevent the rust from returning.

There's several ways people seem to do it. Pipe threader chucked to a length of pipe installed into either end of the tank (if equipped with bungs) then add some media (crushed gravel) and detergent (clothes washing type can work). Followed by generous rinsing, an acid etch followed by more rinsing and then drying and coating. A decent primer, or epoxy paint, or ospho, or corrosion inhibitor (LPS 3 or similar) - though if you're ever going to spray paints, I'd go with a paint on type coating versus an oil or wax type inhibitor.

Preventative maintenance is key, and after ANY work on a pressure vessel, it's best to do a hydrostatic test to ensure it's up to snuff. There's all kinds of instructions on the internet about how to hydro a tank, and it should be done to 1.5x the max operating pressure.
 
Get a gas tank clean/sealing kit from Eastwood. Gas Tank Sealer Kit For Cycles $34
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Sounds like I need a new tank compressor is 11 yrs old so tanks are probably pretty bad inside
Thanks for all the help guys
 
My compressor,s tank is over 30 years old and still it still seems to be in good shape. A hydro-test is the only way to know for sure though. A new tank is cheap insurance.
 
REPLACE THE COMPRESSOR BEFORE THERE IS A MISHAP THAT GETS YOU HURT.
HERE IN MD. WE HAVE TO HAVE OUR COMPRESSOR TANKS CHECKED EVERY 2 YEARS.
THE GUY THAT DOES MINE FOR ME SHOWED ME SOME PICTURES OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A TANK EXPLODES AND LET ME TELL YOU HE HAD A PICTURE OF A 80 GALLON TANK IN AN EXXON STATION THAT TOOK OUT THE WHOLE BUILDING NO WINDOW, BAY DOORS, NO GLASS OF ANY TYPE LEFT IN THE BUILDING INCLUDING THE CARS INSIDE. THE SUDDEN RELEASE OF AIR PRESSURE IS LIKE A BOMB GOING OFF.
I ALWAYS WONDERED WHY THE DOORS ONLY OPEN INTO THE OLD COMPRESSOR ROOM I WAS TOLD IT IS TO CONTAIN THE FORCE IF ONE OF THE TANKS LETS GO.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL WE WOULD WANT TO HEAR WHAT A GREAT GUY YOU WERE !
 
when mine was new I plumbed the bottom drain as the air supply and ran it to a air dryer//have not seen rust in the dryer/filter yet 15yrs and going
 
Strip the compressor tank of everything and take it in to a radiator shop. Let them coat the inside like a gas tank. It will never rust again.
 
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