I know I saw this before on here or one of the other forums, but naturally, needing the information, I can't find it now.

I have a 1965 29' sloop with the fiberglass water tank built into the keel. I'm trying to find a paint rated for potable water, and smaller tank sizes (50 gal or under). Can someone recommend? I don't want to replace the tanks; I've scraped them clean and want to paint them. We won't drink the water. We'll use it to wash dishes, hands, etc.

I researched this recently to repair a friend's water tank. MAS used to make a "food grade" epoxy coating. Jamestown distributers used to carry it. But MAS did not have enough demand for the product and took it out of production. There are epoxy coatings made for potable water that can be painted on, but those are only sold in giant quantities (55 gallon drums). I found some urethane coatings which were meant for large fish tanks but they weren't guaranteed safe for potable water. We ended up deciding to use a low amine blush epoxy for the coating with the understanding that my friend would never drink the water. I did not love that solution.

He had considered using a bladder, but bladders mildew very quickly and can't be cleaned inside so that was not in the cards.

Jeff

 

Thanks Jeff. I've been running into two issues. One is that the majority seem to be rated for much larger tanks; and the other is the issue you described--the giant quantities. I had, at one point, found reference to a place in NH that sold a paint rated for 50-gallon tanks...but I can't find it. If/when I do, I'll post it here.

 

Put a bladder in it that would save the work !

 

Yes, well it would but I'm first going to try to make this work.

 

Ok, so I found the post I was looking for—for 50-gal tanks, the recommendation was to go with "Wolverine" LiquaTile 1172. Anyone have experience with that?