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Q I recently bought a rather expensive air compressor. After each use, I dutifully drained the water out of the tank to prevent rust. However, I noticed rust in the drain water starting with the second time I drained it. I’ve heard of sealing the inside of the tank with special paint. Is this worth doing, and will it harm the compressor or void my warranty? What is the stuff and where do I buy it?
A The three air compressor manufacturers I talked to didn’t know what this special paint is called, but didn’t much care for the idea anyway. It seems that they’re examining ways to seal the inside of tanks at the factory, but don’t quite have the type of sealer or its application figured out yet. The inside of tanks begins to rust the instant the tank is welded, so it’s unlikely that you’d be able to apply any new sealant on a completely rust-free surface. In fact, you may even make matters worse by trapping moisture between the sealant and the metal. Continue to drain your tank after each use and your tank will last at least 10 and possibly up to 25 years--well beyond the expected life of the compressor’s moving parts.
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