Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:01 pm
Well, it is paint, but there is a big difference. These types of paints contain a lot of zinc.
The zinc creates a chemical bond with steel which is stronger than iron-oxide (rust). Therefore, even when you scratch the paint (and you will scratch a scuba tank), rust will not migrate under the paint like it will with all other types of paint (that I am aware of).
It is best not to cover the galvanic paint with any other coating or paint to make it easier to touch up the scratches when they occur.
I have a set of Drager steel tanks (original hydro 1957) that I used galvanizing paint about 35 years ago. It has scratches, but rust has never gotten under the galvanic paint. Sanding and touching up the scratches is easy. The only mistake I made is that I painted them white (35 years ago) on top of the galvanic paint… that was a mistake, touch-ups don’t look so good.
Luis
Buceador con escafandra autónoma clásica.