I have a client that wants a bulk propane storage tank lettered with his company name. The tank is 65' long by 9' in diameter. It is painted, but the finish is a little rough. I wouldn't hesitate to put vinyl on the finish, were it in a different application. I am wondering if any of you have had experience putting vinyl on propane tanks and if there are any problems, if it is something to stay away from, or if there are any major do's and don'ts. We have a cold climate here in the winter, if that's a factor in the equation.
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Patrick, I've put vinyl on a large propane tank before, with a very similar surface. The paint on it was rough, kinda grainy. The letters were almost 4' tall.. (2 - 24" runs segmented) We used Rapid-Tac to clean the surface, then applied it dry. It was a fairly warm day, probably in the 80's, the way I remember. Had to be careful pulling the pre-mask off, it wanted to lift the vinyl occasionally, but it seemed to adher very well after it baked on in the sun. It's been about 6 years and it still looks fine on the tank.
I would recommend high-po vinyl fo sho.
(And in advance for all those who will reply: JUST PAINT IT. That job took me about a half of day to complete, including cutting the vinyl and everything. I made very good money on it, and today I PROMISE you, it looks better than paint would after 6 years..)
Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
Ditto to everything Jon just said. Painted the same tank several years ago and did this it this time with vinyl in a fraction of the time. More profit despite the higher material costs.
Posted by Patrick Wedel (Member # 5256) on :
Thanks. I did a larger propane tank a number of years ago, and didn't have a problem then. But, it seems like the customer is always concerned. "Will it work?" "The tank sweats." "We need to get it on while its good and hot." And a fella gets to wondering.........maybe it was just dumb luck the first time.
Posted by Stephen Faulkner (Member # 2511) on :
Do NOT use any heat guns or torches to set the vinyl! (I have seen this done on transport trucks)
Mid afternoon on a hot sunny day will minimize the condensation. I like to use Lacquer thinner to soften the paint and help with adhesion.
Vinyl??? it is how the majority of all propane cylinders are labeled, trucks, and bulk tanks.
Posted by Jamie Nicholson (Member # 6690) on :
I have done over 20 propane tanks in the last 15 years with 5 foot high lettering and 25 feet long. I try to do it on a very warm day because the tank is always cold. Clean it well, apply the vinyl, and force the vinyl down into the craters. Haven't had a re-do yet
Posted by Blake Koehn (Member # 5984) on :
I'd just Paint it!!!!
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
quote:Originally posted by Blake Koehn: I'd just USE MICROSOFT Paint AND PRINT it!!!!
Fixed that for you.
[ September 04, 2007, 11:36 PM: Message edited by: Jon Jantz ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
And in advance for all those who will reply: JUST PAINT IT. That job took me about a half of day to complete, including cutting the vinyl and everything. I made very good money on it, and today I PROMISE you, it looks better than paint would after 6 years..) i coudla done it in the same time WITH PAINT....and dependin on where the sun hits it...6 years it would still be good....
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
quote:Originally posted by old paint: i coudla done it in the same time WITH PAINT....
Yeah, like back in 1978. Nowadays, it'd take you longer to get the ladders out of the truck than it took me to apply the vinyl... hehehe.
quote:Originally posted by old paint: and dependin on where the sun hits it...6 years it would still be good....
Pretty much shines right on it, all day every day. I didn't put the lettering up underneath the thing.
One of these days I'm gonna come by and get you to show me how you manage to paint with those vinyl cutters you got around there....
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
Yeah, like back in 1978. Nowadays, it'd take you longer to get the ladders out of the truck than it took me to apply the vinyl... hehehe.
my legs dont work as well....but my hand can still PAINT FASTER...THEN YOU CAN DO VINYL.... nice graphic......)))))))))))))))))))
Posted by Del Badry (Member # 114) on :
Same here Jamie... back in time i operated a small trim line and used to install for the t/l out of toronto.. a national propane co... wash and install.. reflective red... still there...
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
I thought it took OP a half day to get out of bed! Jon's already been to the bank by the time OP's up.
Hopefully, enough graemlins will ensure no one takes my comment seriously.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
i can get all that needs done from noon to 5 pm.....))))))))))))))))
Posted by Michael R. Bendel (Member # 5847) on :
The real question is, will it withstand the below zero "sweating". Check the Canada posts.
Propane tanks do sweat in the winter when it drops below zero. I would try to concentrate the lettering on the upper half of the tank if possible. A good high performance installed before freezing should work. Be carefull & good luck.
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
(I have seen this done on transport trucks)![[Rolling On The Floor]](graemlins/rolf.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)