Holding Tank Paint

[sailing320]

Can anyone recommend a paint that I can apply to the inside of an aluminum holding tank to extend the life? The tank is in good shape now but I do not want problems later.

[pdqaltair]

The odds of achieving a good bond on a used tank without good access for surface prep are long. I you have spotty failures, the corrosion will focus on those spot, causing failure even sooner.

Unless you can install a suported lining (epoxy with a few layers of FRP included) it will likely do little good. Much depends on the access.

[jimjazzdad]

Yes, the issue will be getting something to stick to the aluminum. I am about to try the same thing with my aluminum holding tank - I plan on using about five coats of coal tar epoxy. Hopefully that will build into a sort of liner. Another thing you could try (if the holding tank can be removed) is to take it to one of those places that does sprayed-in pick up truck box liners - Armorguard, Rhynocoat, etc - and have them coat it with sprayed on polyurethane. Why did manufacturers every use aluminum for holding tanks???

[mitiempo]

For all the effort I would replace it with a plastic tank, either off the shelf (Ronco Plastics - Marine Water Tanks, RV Water Tank, Auto Detail Tanks, Water Tanks) or custom made. They are not that expensive and they will fix the problem for a decade or so. I doubt you will get a good bond and you will probably re-visit the issue in a year or 2. To do it properly you will have to have full access to the tank interior anyway.

[sailing320]

Thank you for your advice.