Can you paint the inside of GRP water tanks ?

[Guest]

I have a removable GRP water tank that fits up for'ard in the shape of a vee. I reckon that it's as old as the boat - around 28 years . Drinking water tastes like a glasss fibre kit. I could just about reach inside it and paint the interior if there was such a thing that would give it a new life.

Would be grateful for any advice.

Many Thanks.

 

[claymore]

Vic
New plastic ones are not that expensive (Vetus) - I'm sure you'd end up with water that tasted of glassfibre and paint if you do as you are thinking
regards
JohnS

The fairytale ends here

 

[ccscott49]

You could paint it with two pack, but I wouldn't I would do as sugeested and renew, or get an aqua filter, which will remove all the bad tastes, I use the general ecology one, for exactly the same reasons, old fibreglass tanks, only mine are 300 gal!

 

[vyv_cox]

Give the tank a good clean out by brushing with a Milton solution. I found that a toilet brush (not previously used!) was just right for this. This removed the deposit that could not be removed simply by adding solution. Suggest you don't try detergents as they are difficult to remove completely and seem to be very bad for the digestive system. Flush out thoroughly but note that Milton will do no harm, its taste disappears in a few hours. As others say, add a charcoal filter. I did all this to my 15 year old GRP tanks and now the water tastes perfectly OK.

 

[AndrewB]

There is a black bituminous paint sold by chandlers called, simply enough, 'Water Tank Paint', which oddly is mainly used for painting the exterior of barges. I've used it successfully for several years with my gavanised steel water tanks, which showed signs of rusting. It is completely non-toxic, but needs care to apply otherwise the water will have a tarry taste for a few weeks afterwards. Coats must be applied very thin, and dried thoroughly between. Under no circumstances heat the paint e.g. by washing out the tank with hot water. I can't see why it wouldn't work with a GRP tank.

 

[oldsaltoz]

G’day Vic.
You could goat the inside with epoxy resin (two coats wet on wet), this will seal up any exposed fibres and extend the life of the existing tank.

Avaniceweekend Old Salt Oz.

 

[Trevethan]

"goat the inside"?

Is this some old sailor's trick for relieving the stresses of a long voyage?

 

[jimd]

You could always fit collapsible tanks inside the original.