why aren't compressor tanks coated

[WhyMe]

it seems that tanks rusting out on air compressors is an issue. so why do they not put some kind of coating in it to prevent it from rusting? maybe the same stuff that that coat gas tanks ?

 

[SZR48207]

This reminds me that I need to empty/drain mine.

 

[Linctex]

Because the good ones are thick enough to start with.

And the cheap ones will have the motor/compressor die long before the thin tank rusts out.

That's why.

 

[GenesisGuy70]

I assume a type of planned obsolescence (more of a tech term but you get the point) is in play as well. There's no money in makings things so well they only need purchased one.

 

[joegreen]

Im not sure what they use to coat the inside of some tanks but i imagine if there is a crack in the coating then water will sit in that one spot indefinitely. When i drain my compressor it usually comes out with a water oil mixture so i suppose the oil that seeps past the rings helps protect the inside of the tank.

 

[StevieC]

I've never had one rust out. The one my dad has is 35 years old and just a generic brand 2 piston electric driven compressor.

 

[FordBroncoVWJeta]

The Walmart I work at had the original compressor replaced last year. It was from 1990. Running everyday since 1990-2017 except Christmas. Engine finally blew and couldn't order one in. It was rusty but did it work!

 

[user52165]

Originally Posted by Linctex
Because the good ones are thick enough to start with.

And the cheap ones will have the motor/compressor die long before the thin tank rusts out.

That's why.



+1

Does ASME rated tanks still mean anything?

 

[demarpaint]

I have two compressors, the older one is a 12 gallon Sears unit which is easily 35 years old and still works great. I have a 4 year old 60 gallon Kobalt machine that should outlive me if is anything like the old Sears unit. I think if they're drained frequently the tanks last a very long time.

I would also imagine if the coating fails it could pose another potential source for air tool problems.

 

[maxdustington]

There is a chance it would flake and clog something down the line. I think being a somewhat sealed vessel stops a lot of the corrosion, especially if they are drained often.

 

[Traction]

Buy a good compressor and keep it drained every time you use it. If I didn't drain my rust free 18 year old 80 gallon IR 2-stage but every year, or two, I would probably have like 5-10 gallons of water in it.

 

[funflyer]

I bought my first compressor used from a friend back around 1984 so it's about 36 years old and still going strong. I used it several times a month up until 2015 when I bought a larger one.

 

[chrome]

Corrosion is an interesting science. When you coat something which you cannot readily access to check regularly, there are a few potential issues. If the coating has a tiny point of failure, you actually have an accelerated corrosion problem known as pitting since all the electro-chemical reaction occurs in a tiny spot as compared to a wide uncoated surface which will corrode evenly. Pitting corrosion will go through the tank thickness way faster than general corrosion ever will. A tank is junk the moment is starts to leak, which is one reason why a pressure vessel like a compressor tank is not internally coated.